sharon

Going to SF next week. Not experienced with using public transportation, and the cable cars, trollies, etc. seem a little intimidating, but want to use this mode of transportation to get around. (We will be staying in the Union Square area.) Books indicate that they are very crowded and you must get on quickly and "hang on." Any advice or suggestions? Thanks

phil

You can catch the cable cars at Market and Powell St., which is two three blocks down Union Square. Since it is the beginning of the tourist season, there will be a wait for the cable cars.
I suggest you ride it early in the morning when the line is shorter.
The Powell St. line will take you all the way to Fisherman's Wharf. The ride will be around 30 to 45 mins in length, but it's very scenic and you can stop at Lombard Street and view the "Crooked Street". If you are afraid of falling off the cable car, I suggest to ride on the inside and not stand or sit on the outside. It is a fun ride and can be a little jerky at times but this is what makes it unique. Have fun.

Caitlin

As far as using the trollies (streetcars), it's not so edifferent from riding a bus; it's not as packed as the cable cars except on key lines during rush hour, and is basically enclosed. There is a dtreetcar line that runs along Market St. from the waterfront that is fun; the cars are all refurbished vintage streetcars from cities around the country.

For all the info you could want on all forms of SF public transit (and for surrounding counties as well), go to this URL:

http://www.transitinfo.org/county.html#SF

Don't worry, SF publictransit--especially around the tourist areas--is pretty easy to use.

Emily

San Francisco has buses, subways (theMuni), some old-fashion electric busese that must be the trollies that you're referring to, and the famous cable cars.

The buses, subways and trollies are just like buses, subways and trollies anywhere else in the world.

In the "old days" the cable cars were a true form of public transport that the citizens would use to get around the city. At that time, you probably would have to get on quickly and hold on tight.

Nowdays, the cable cars are mostly a tourist attraction. You are given plenty of time to get on at one end of the line, find a seat (although plenty of people do want to have the atmospheric experience of hanging on the outside) and then ride until you get to the end of the line, when you're given plenty of time to get off.

As other posters have pointed out, the lines will be so tremenduously long this time of year (unless you start out very early) that you'll have plenty of time to watch the people ahead of you and pick up the proper protocol. Have fun!

kam

There are actually three cable car lines--the Powell/Hyde, Powell/Mason and the California Street. The first two can be caught at the turnaround at the foot of Powell Street at Market. Mason goes more directly to Fisherman's Wharf and Hyde Street (the prettiest views and most curves) goes closer to Ghiardelli Square. The California Street line goes from the Financial District, up California Street, past Chinatown, over Nob Hill almost to Van Ness Ave. It is the least popular of all the cable cars. Yes, there are long lines at peak times because the cable cars are tourist attractions. If you choose to ride on the outside, please be aware of where your shoulder bags and other valuables are as sometimes pickpockets take purses and run, leaving tourists still on the cable car. On Market Street down to the historic Ferry Building, you can ride a vintage trolleycar--they have been purchased from different cities throughout the country and restored so that they are really quite historic and interesting. For more mundane travel, there is the Muni system as well as BART, the subway that goes under the Bay. A map of the Muni system should be available at SFO or at the Tourist Info Center at the end of the Powell/Mason/Hyde cable car lines at Market and Powell Streets. If all else fails, there are plenty of taxis and it's a very small city so rates are reasonable. SF is "tourist friendly" so there will always be natives or the conductors on the cars around to answer questions or provide you with directions. Enjoy.

Donna

There's a magnificent map you can download in PDF at the MUNI website. I printed one in black and white, highlighted the places we wanted to go, then highlighted the routes. No problem getting around at all. Although, at times, buses/trollies never came...If you are planning to go anywhere via Cable Car, allow lots of extra time - they are very, very popular and always full.

kam

This was probably only local news, but about a year ago Mayor Willie Brown, a colorful character on his own, decided to race Muni down Market Street on foot. The Mayor won! That about sums up the speed of Muni

michele

in April we spent six fantastic days in SF and used the bus system to go all over the city, it was cheap, it was easy, it was safe and what I remember most is SF has, without a doubt, the nicest bus drivers in the USA. take the bus!

Bernie

As a first time visitor you'll want to take the cable car, at least, once for the experience. After that do busses and streetcars. It's cheaper without the long lines. I have found that, the crowds make it almost impossible to board the cable cars anywhere along the line. You must wait in, what I have always found were long lines at the beggining of the lines. Still SF is a wonderful place to visit and you will have a ball.