I am staying near Union Square at the Marine's Memorial Club hotel and I am wondering how close I can get to Pier 45 via the Powell-Mason or Powell-Hyde cable car route? It seems I can get to within 4-5 blocks but then have to walk. Is it a safe area to walk from Taylor / Bay street stop to the Embarcadero?

How reasily available are cabs at the various cable car or F line stops?

Thanks,
Javier

I've walked from Pier 33 to the turnaround for the Powell-Hyde cable car line near Ghirardelli Square - I didn't think it was a bad walk at all (middle of the day). I wouldn't worry about getting a cab or catching a bus, just ride the cable car and walk the rest of the way. It looks like Powell-Mason will get you a little closer if you don't want to walk as far though.

Yes, it is safe to walk. But you should not count on using cable cars for public transportation. Most days there is a line waiting to board the car at the start, and they will not let anyone board once the car is full. So you'd have to walk the 5-6 blocks to Powell & Market st. & wait your turn there.

Your better bet is to catch the F street car directly to the Embarcadero.

You'd be better taking the historic F streetcar to get to Pier 45 if you want to minimize walking, time ( waiting to get on the cable car) and COST. It stops the closest to your boarding and exit stop.

Unless you have mobility issues, the walk is easy - flat form any of the cable car or F stops.

I would have no safety concerns walking from the end of either cable car line to the pier.

One more thing, you may have to wait and let a car or 2 go by if you try to get the one that goes to Taylor for shorter walk. Most tourist just get on whatever one is at the boarding spot.

Those trolleys can get VERY crowded as well so be aware.

I'd take the F streetcar, also, it runs along Market Street.

Cable cars are usually crowded, and people are hanging outside. This is not a dependable transportation mode, only a ride for fun once or twice.

To get on a cable car you'd have to walk to Powell @ Market and stand in line at the beginning of the route.

For pier 45 I'd take bus 2 or 3 up to Van Ness and switch to bus 47. Or if you don't mind to walk a little, walk down to Kearney and take bus 30 to the Wharf.