Skip to main content

Celebrating 150 Years of Cable Cars

Celebrating 150 Years of Cable Cars
By Jeanne Brophy

Cable Car Parade for 100th Anniversary of Powell Street Cable Cars Looking Down Powell Street Towards Sutter Street | March 28, 1988

Powell Street Cable Cars Looking Down Powell Street Towards Sutter Street

San Francisco’s iconic cable cars are turning 150 this year, and we’re throwing a party to celebrate! Today the SFMTA is kicking off a series of events that mark this sesquicentennial by offering residents and visitors a chance to learn more about the rich heritage and cultural significance of the cable car. The six-month celebration will take a journey through time and help people rediscover the allure of these cherished, moving city landmarks.

Since their invention, cable cars have woven their way into the fabric of San Francisco, becoming a beloved symbol of the city. As part of the 150th anniversary celebration, unique "ghost" cable cars from vanished lines will make a remarkable return. Discover the craftsmanship behind these engineering marvels with the first-ever public tours of the Muni shop (video) where cable cars are built and maintained.

Beginning July 1 through the end of 2023, we are offering a special $5 California cable car line unlimited day pass that will allow you to hop on and off all day. Take advantage of the all-day, all-Muni pass for only $13. This pass gets you unlimited rides on cable cars, F-line historic streetcars, Muni Metro lines and buses. It allows you to embark on captivating walking tours through the neighborhoods along the cable car lines. 

"This civic celebration of 150 years of cable cars is a fun opportunity for San Franciscans and visitors alike to 'ride backward' while looking forward," said Rick Laubscher, president of the Market Street Railway

You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the captivating stories of Chinatown, the Barbary Coast, Fisherman's Wharf, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Union Square, Polk Gulch and the Financial District. Discover the intriguing histories of these neighborhoods while visiting vibrant shops and delectable restaurants. The experience is a perfect blend of past and present, and you can get there on a cable car!

You’ll want to join the festivities and rediscover the enchantment of San Francisco as the cable cars turn 150. From the inaugural ride on "Big 19" to the captivating walking tours and special passes, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Learn more at our cable car anniversary webpage (SFMTA.com/cablecars150)
 



Published June 13, 2023 at 09:45PM
https://ift.tt/k2vLPi5

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

150 Years Ago Today – The Cable Car is Born

150 Years Ago Today – The Cable Car is Born By Kelley Trahan August 2, 2023, marks the 150th anniversary of the world’s first successful cable railway, born right here in San Francisco. To celebrate the occasion, we bring you the story of Andrew Hallidie and the very first cable car company, the Clay Street Hill Railroad.  Andrew Hallidie (1834-1900) was a pioneering inventor and entrepreneur who changed urban transportation. In 1852, at the age of 18, Hallidie emigrated with his father from the United Kingdom to San Francisco during the California Gold Rush. His father, an engineer and inventor, had a wire rope patent that played a crucial role in his son's future success.   Portrait of Andrew Smith Hallidie in 1890. Inspired by his father's wire rope business, Hallidie developed a steel cable mineral mine hauling system in 1857. About a decade later, he designed a wire rope aerial tramway for transporting materials over mountainous terrain. Then, after a stint in bridg...

Shared Spaces are Here to Stay. Permit Renewals are Due January 15, 2023.

Shared Spaces are Here to Stay. Permit Renewals are Due January 15, 2023. By Anne Yalon Shared Spaces, amongst many other benefits, allows our residents and families to enjoy safe and social outdoor dining. Seen here are the the owners of Tio Chilo’s Grill and their children in the restaurant’s parklet on 24th Street in the Mission.  San Francisco’s popular Shared Spaces program allows merchants, restaurants and arts and culture organizations to use the curbside, sidewalk and other public spaces to conduct local business activities and stay afloat. What emerged as an economic lifeline during the pandemic is making San Francisco’s streets more energized, engaged and activated. Many of the Shared Spaces parklets have become central gathering places for the local community. “ Our parklet makes me feel like when I go to Mexico, where outdoor seating is everywhere. People end up joining their friends in our parklet. It is a space for our customers and our community," said Liz V...

Tenderloin Streets Transform During COVID-19

Tenderloin Streets Transform During COVID-19 By Kimberly Leung COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted people who live and work in the Tenderloin. As a result, the SFMTA has been working closely with District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney’s office, other city departments, the Tenderloin Traffic Safety Task Force and community members to address the public health issues and unique challenges in the neighborhood through innovative interventions.    The Tenderloin is home to many of our most vulnerable communities including historically marginalized groups such as people with disabilities, residents of SROs and supportive housing and limited-English proficient communities. With every single street in the Tenderloin on the city’s High Injury Network -- the 13 percent of San Francisco streets that account for 75 percent of severe traffic injury collision and fatalities -- thi...