For my 600th review, I'm going to write about the Cable Car line, specifically the Powell Hyde Line. I have ridden this cable car line for many years, so I think I'm pretty qualified to write about this. In a rider's perspective anyway.
A word of caution, do not buy tickets off anyone on the streets. It's not valid.
While cable cars are on a line, this particular cable car line takes you places. You can hop on and off at almost any stop, and some will recommend you don't start at the turn around due to crowds. I say, do what you want. I'm going to start with the turn around at Powell for completeness. First, make sure you double check you are getting on the Powell Hyde and not the Mason line. Mason line is cool too, but I'm not writing about that line today. If you want an unobstructed view, always try to get a seat in the front and maybe at a time when it's not so busy so you don't have all these people hanging on the outside blocking your view and preferably on the right hand side (if you are facing the direction it's going uphill).
You will slowly pass by Union Square. If you are sitting up front and on the right side, you are facing Union Square on this stop. Then you stop again right at the corner of Sutter, there used to be door people dressed as Beefeaters when it was the St. Francis Drake hotel, but alas, it closed, and now a new hotel, Beacon Grand is at this location. Then up the hill to Bush Street. This is the street to hop off if you want to walk a few blocks down to the Chinatown dragon gate, otherwise, continue up the hill, and you will be seeing a view of the Bay Bridge from the vantage point top of California Street. If you get off from here, you can walk up a slightly inclined hill to the Fairmont hotel and indulge in some tiki drinks at the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, or meditate inside Grace Cathedral, or unwind into the evening at top of the Mark at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco. However, you are riding this cable car to the end, so continue on and if you are sitting on the left hand side, you will see people walking up and down the Chinatown public library. Then a quick wild left hand turn will have you going up climbing Nob Hill where you will be able to hop off to see the Cable Car museum; and you will see a mix of daily life moving about the newer and older buildings up and a slight turn to the right into Hyde Street of Nob Hill and later Russian Hill. Climbing once again uphill and sitting on your left is the ole fashioned ice cream shop, Swensen's. Original since 1948 serving some unique flavors. Then soon, if you are sitting on the right hand side, you will notice that you are on top looking down one of the world's crookedest street, Lombard Street. And maybe a view of the Coit Tower. Then if you look in front, you will get a picturesque view of Alcatraz or a big fog blanket as you descend into the Hyde and Beach turnaround.
This is where you will get off and maybe get a nice Irish Coffee from across the street at the famous The Buena Vista, and then decide whether you want to go down toward the piers to explore some more or go up to the famous Ghirardelli's and get some chocolate and banana split. Or get back in line and go back towards Union Square, make sure to sit on same side so you see the opposite direction views.
I highly recommend you get a Visitor Passport so you get unlimited rides on Muni including Cable Car rides. That way, you can hop on and off when you want to see something. At this moment, a single ride (not valid for transferring) for all adult/youth/senior on the cable car is $8 so it's fairly expensive without the pass. Only kids under 4 years old ride free and I'm sure you will have to show proof. If you have a monthly Clipper card, all cable car rides are unlimited and included for that month. read more