Cable Cars

Chances are you've seen a television show, postcard or some type of San Francisco memorabilia emblazoned with the city's iconic cable car or trolley. So of course, to get the full experience of the San Francisco's charm, you'll have to hop on board. San Fran's cable car system is the last of its kind in the United States, and is considered one of the main tourist attractions in the entire city.

While the trolleys are certainly not the speediest mode of transportation, but recent travelers recommend hoping aboard anyway. “Although they aren't the fastest way to get around…Cable Cars are a fun way to get around (and can beat walking uphill at the end of a long day of sightseeing)...” explains one TripAdvisor user.

You can catch the cable cars from a few spots around town, including the famous Powell-Hyde Line at Powell and Market Street, which passes the twisty Lombard Street and the equally popular Russian Hill neighborhood. Relative to other forms of transportation, the cable cars are a bit expensive at $5 a ride, but travelers find the experience well worth it. Visitors can also purchase one-day, three-day, and seven-day Passport passes, which allow riding on streetcars, buses, and cables. Prices vary from $13 to $26, depending on length of pass purchased.