San Francisco, CA

Believe it or not, there are local people who ride the cable cars of San Francisco as a means of transportation. Depending on where you’re going, they can be the most efficient way of getting there. And if you have a monthly bus pass, it doesn’t cost you anything. But these people are usually trying to get to where they want to go, which goes more smoothly if everyone follows cable car etiquette, which you might not know if you haven’t ridden them before.

If you want to ride one of the cable cars for fun, your best bet is to go to the cable car turnaround where you wait in line and you’re guaranteed to get on one. For example, there is a major one located at the intersection of Market St. and Powell St. just south of the western side of Union Square. Of course, this means that you’re going to have to wait in that line. If you don’t want to wait in the line, find a cable car stop. They are identifiable by the brown signage that shows the cable car. Stand at the stop and keep your eye out for the cable car. When you see it coming, make sure that you step into plain view. Wave at the driver as he approaches so that he knows you want to stop. Don’t step right in front of the cable car.

After the cable car stops for you, get on. Get all the way on. You can stand on one of the outside steps if there’s room for you to hold on to one of the bars. If there’s not, take a seat or stand inside. Don’t stand in the stairway space or right behind the driver of the cable car. And don’t worry about giving them your money. They’ll get it once the cable car gets moving again. When it does, you’ll pay $5 for a one way ride. The second worker – the one who isn’t driving – will collect your money.

You can ride the cable car all the way to the end of its line. If you want to get off before that stop, you should let the driver know before you reach that stop. There are no bells to ring or strings to pull, so don’t look for them. You can tell either of the two workers on the cable car, and they’ll be happy to stop. Wait for the cable car to come all the way to its stop, then hop off and let it keep going so everyone else can be on their merry way.

The cable cars are fun. Sometimes the drivers will tell you interesting facts about the city. Frequently, they’ll play something songlike with the tune of their bells. Sometimes you’ll just quietly get to feel the wind on your face as you ride up and down those San Francisco hills in the open air. But once you’ve done it, you’ll know the right way to do it. You’re ready to ride.