Cable Car Museum

Hop off the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason cable car at Powell and Washington to see steampunk technology at work inside the Cable Car Museum (cablecarmuseum.org; free). Check out a vintage car from inventor Andrew Hallidie’s original 1873 fleet, then head downstairs to see the heart of the operation: eight giant spinning sheaves (grooved wheels) that propel the cable, guiding the cars along their routes. See three original 1870s cable cars stored here and browse a bonanza of SF memorabilia (actual cable-car bells!) in the museum shop.