Relative to other forms of transportation, the cable cars are a bit expensive at $7 for a one-way ride, so some travelers suggest buying a one-day pass for $23 (also good for unlimited rides on Muni, Muni Metro and streetcars). You can catch the cable cars from a few spots around town, including the famous Powell-Hyde Line at Powell and Market streets, which passes the twisty Lombard Street and the equally popular Russian Hill neighborhood. Though if you're not one for long lines, some say to board at one of the stops along the lineВ instead at the beginning.

Even though some said they encountered long lines to board, the majority of visitors believe the wait to be worth the experience. Many say the way to get the most out of your cable car experience is to ride hanging out of the vehicle. Tourists had a blast riding the cable cars up and down San Francisco's vibrant streets. More than nine million visitors ride the cable cars each year, and according to recent travelers, it's easy to see why. Though cable cars are seldom used by locals (due in part to their small travel network and high fare), tourists flock to them in droves. Thus, cable cars were born in the late 1800s. His father had a patent for wire rope in England and he used that to design a transportation system that relied on just that.

The cable car was conceived after Andrew Smith Hallidie, an immigrant from England, witnessed an accident involving a horse-drawn buggy trying to climb a steep San Francisco hillВ and failing. San Francisco's cable car system is the last of its kind in the United States, given the title of a National Historic Landmark in 1964. So of course, to fully experience San Francisco's charm, you should hop on board. Chances are you've seen a television show, movie, postcard or some type of San Francisco memorabilia emblazoned with the city's iconic cable car or trolley.

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