SF cable car or trolley recommendation
 

I have a chance to be in SF for a couple of days, but do not have enough time to sightsee. I was thinking maybe I could take either a cable car or a trolley and take a long ride in hopes of seeing little bit of the city and its streets and neighborhoods.

Wondering if this is possible? If yes, can you, (maybe Stu Dudley) tell me which one will be best choice to give me the most for my time and the fare. My hotel is near Union Square.

Is there a route which can take me all over, or I can get transfer ticket and change and then see more areas.

Would love to hear any other options too or tips or advice to do something memorable in short time.

Thanks, have a relaxing Sunday..

www.streetcar.org will tell you all you need to know!

I was staying just off Union Square too, and just walked over to the beginning/turn around spot at Post/Market, and took one down thru Chinatown & terminating at Fisherman's Wharf. Then back in reverse. Big fun!

Just a clarification - the turnaround is at Powell and Market (rather than Post and Market)

Take the historic F cars along the Embarcadero.

Take the Cable Car from Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf. Got off, walk over to where the F [Trolley] loads.

The F car will take you from Fisherman's Wharf, along the Embarcadero, then to Market Street. It will then head on Market, past the Union Square area, City Hall, Tenderloin. Continue on and it will take you all the way down to The Castro.

That should get you a pretty decent view of as many of the neighborhoods with out walking a step and in a few hours of time.

The Cable car is $5 per ride. Each time you get on and off it will cost $5. The trolley is $1.50 each way.

Their are one day muni passes that will cover unlimited cable car rides and bus, trolley etc. [everything except BART] for $11 http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfares/passports.htm

It's a shame you don't have more time to really explore, I love SF.

Deb

I meant to add that you can get transfer on bus, trolley for 90 minutes, you must ask driver for it when you get on. There are no Transfers for/on Cable Car.

Yeah...what Deb said. ((Y))

We also like the ride up the California St cable car too.

Thank you sf7307, very much for that important correction! (my hotel was on Post not the getting-on-the-street-car turn-around)

Thanks to each and everyone for such good information. Now I am ready to go and explore SF in the little time that I will have. I will be thinking of all of you at every step since you have saved me so much time that I would have wasted finding all these facts after I reach SF.

I also wish I had more time. But am glad I have at least some time so I can see something. I am sure will get more opportunities in the future.

Once again thanks so much for the very useful details on the streets, the stops, the fares and all the ideas. Very, very helpful indeed.

Have a great evening.

If your time is limited, I would advise you to take a 1/2 day bus tour. What can you see from a crowded bus without narration?

Public transportation is better to go from point A to point B, not for sightseeing.

If you choose MUNI anyway, I agree line F would be the best, take it from one end to the other.

If in the city on a Sunday, line 76 runs over Golden Gate bridge.

There is also "cultural bus" from Union square to Golden Gate park (not the bridge) - I believe the MUNI pass doesn't work there, the cost is $7.

I would think that one of the tourist sightseeing buses would be your best bet to see places like Union St, Ft Point, GG Bridge, Postcard Row, Fillmore/Pacific Heights mansions, Haight/Ashbury, etc. Muni buses don't have routes that are geared for general sightseeing. I've never taken a sightseeing bus, but there are large buses, small buses, motorized cable cars, "Mr Toad", and others. I've seen lots of signs prohibiting larger buses from going on some interesting streets - so perhaps use Mr Toad, the motorized Cable Car, or a small sightseeing bus.

Stu Dudley