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Cable cars – Cable cars were invented in San Francisco
in 1873, and taking the kids for a ride on the cable cars is a "must
do." It's an exhilarating sensation as the cable car grinds up the
steep hills, reaches the top, then slowly descends. If you really listen,
you can hear the cables "humming" under the streets of San Francisco. |
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There are three cable car lines: Powell-Hyde, Powell-Mason and California St. Both Powell lines start at Powell and Market (near
Union Square), and end up at Fisherman's Wharf. (The turntable for Powell-Hyde
is on Hyde St.and Beach St., Powell-Mason is at Bay St.and Taylor St.) The
California St. line runs east-west. |
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There are often long waiting lines at the cable car turntable
on Powell St. To avoid the crowds, you can go north up Powell St. and hop
on in front of the St. Francis Hotel. Or, take one of the historic streetcars
to Fisherman's Wharf, and return on the cable car. The California St. cable
cars are less crowded, but also afford a stunning view of San Francisco
from Nob Hill. (Tip: Use your San
Francisco CityPass.) |
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 Cable
Car Barn and Museum – If you're riding the cable cars to Fisherman's
Wharf, be sure to stop off en route at the Cable Car Museum, where kids
can see the winding machinery for the "endless" cables in action!
Watch the huge wheels turn the cables that the move under the street (the
cars grip the cable to go, let go to stop). This free museum also has cable
car models, vintage cable cars, old photos and a gift shop( good selection
of cable car souvenirs). |
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Historic Streetcars – The historic streetcars,
the F line, are another way to see San Francisco. Market Street was once
bustling with streetcars, and today kids get a little history as you ride
down Market, to the Ferry Building, along the Embarcadero to Fisherman's
Wharf. The F line operates vintage streetcars that used to run in San Francisco,
as well has other U.S. and foreign cities. On Market St., look for old fashioned
streetcars in orange, green, blue and yellow, maroon and black, and hop
on! (Tip: Use your San
Francisco CityPass.) |
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Union Square – Union Square started out as a sand
dune, was dedicated a public park in 1850, and was named "Union Square"
on the eve of the Civil War. In the center of Union Square is a monument
honoring the 1898 American victory of Admiral George Dewey in the Philippines.
George isn't on top of the column – the monument is adorned with the
reigning beauty, " Big Alma" Spreckels, holding a triton and wreath
in each hand. The newly rennovated square is the perfect place to sit and
relax. |
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San Francisco Fountain (Post and Stockton Sts.) – This bronze fountain by sculptor Ruth Asawa is a visual story of
San Francisco. Local kids helped make the bread dough models for the fountain,
comprised of 41 different bronze plaques. You'll recognize San Francisco
landmarks such as Lombard St., the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf,
but look for fun details, such as lines of round chubby cars, and a Chinese
dragon. |
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Nob Hill – In the 19th century, railroads
and mining were big money makers. Wealthy nabobs built fancy-schmancy mansions
on Nob Hill. The mansions were incredible to behold, but most of them burned
in the 1906 earthquake. Only the big chunky brown Flood mansion still stands
today – you can't miss it. |
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Huntington
Park – You can ride the California St. cable car or hike up to
Nob Hill – it's good exercise. At the top, there's stately Huntington
Park, with a charming fountain, playground with swings, play structure
and sandbox. |
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Grace
Cathedral – Step into Grace Cathedral, a Gothic-style church. The
bronze doors to the cathedral are replicas of the "Gate of Paradise"
doors at the Baptistery in Florence. Near the entrance is an outdoor labyrinth
(there's also one inside the church). Like the labyrinth at Chartres, people
traverse the labyrinth as a spiritual walk. The church nave has lovely stained
glass windows, murals depicting scenes from San Francisco's history and
an altar made from Sierra Nevada granite and California redwood. Ask at
the cathedral about the schedule of music events. |
