It’s Cable Car Day! So, what better way celebrate it than by shining a spotlight on one of the most famous Cable Car cities in the world – San Francisco. The city of San Francisco is a hub of geeky activity, with its incredible histories, numerous filming locations, and intriguing museums, there’s something for everyone! Below are my top 5 attractions for the geek in all of us!
1. Walt Disney Family Museum
A must see for all Disney fans! Located in the Presidio, this museum will take you through the amazing life of Walter Elias Disney and his family as they navigated small town America, a move to Hollywood, and the creation and stratospheric rise of the Disney company. You can even see a beautiful scale model of Disneyland, original paints from the days of hand painted animation, and the camera that the Disney animation team invented to create incredible 3D effects in a 2D animation! The Walt Disney Family Museum is open Thursday to Sunday 10am-5.30pm (last entry at 4.30pm). General admission tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors (65+) and students (with valid ID), and $15 for youth (6-17 years). Children 5 and under are free. Special exhibitions are at an extra cost and vary by exhibition. For more information, visit their website.
2. Letterman Digital Arts Center/Lucasfilm
As a Star Wars fan, I’ve always wanted to visit Skywalker Ranch. While that’s not really an option, make sure to visit the Lucasfilm HQ! Located in the Presidio, Lucasfilm HQ, or Letterman Digital Arts Center, is the beating heart of the galactic company. Tours of the main lobby have been paused due to the pandemic but visitors are invited and encouraged to enjoy the 17 acres of landscaped gardens and the iconic Yoda Fountain!
3. Cartoon Art Museum
If you’re a fan of cartoons, this is your place! The Cartoon Art Museum was founded in 1984 and is located near Fisherman Wharf, and you can get there by cable car! Wander through 8000 square feet of galleries, showcasing the history of cartoons, as well as a screening room, education space, store, library, and collections facility! It’s home to approximately 7000 original pieces of cartoon history. Don’t miss it! The museum is open daily except Wednesdays 11am-5pm (excluding some major holidays) and admission costs $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and students (with valid ID) and $4 for kids aged 6-12. Kids aged 5 and under are free. Check out more information on their website.
4. Musée Mécanique
Located at Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf, Musée Mécanique is one of the world’s largest privately owned collections of coin-operated mechanical musical machines and antique arcade artifacts. All of the 300-plus machines are in working order and you’re welcome to play with each one on your visit! The museum is open every day 10am-8pm and admission is free, you just pay the small amount to play the machines! For more information, check out their website.
5. Cable Car and Cable Car Museum
One of the most iconic modes of transport in San Francisco are arguably the cable cars, still operated by the original cable system! You can catch a cable car on three distinct lines – 2 going from Union Square to the Fisherman’s Wharf area, and one going along California Street that will take you through the Financial District and up Nob Hill. Make sure you hang off the side for that iconic photo!
The red and green lines will take you past the historic Cable Car Museum too! Here you’ll find a range of displays showing the history of the cable car, as well as three antique cable cars from the 1870s! Admission to the museum is free and is open Tue-Thu 10am-4pm and Fri-Sun 10am-5pm. For more information, visit the website.
