Thanks! That's what I was thinking. So this is SF's public transportation. Are these the same cars that it's either $5 per ride or $13 for a daily passport? How do we buy one if we hop on it on a corner?
We don't mind walking a bit to catch one less crowded. Our hotel is near the airport but offers free rides to pier 39. Where should we go from there to catch one less crowded? Is there such a thing?
Yep, it's one of the original forms of public transit in SF. I believe that if you hop on, the conductors can only sell you a single ride fare for $5. If you want to buy the daily passport, you have to go to one of the sales or vending locations. BTW, the one day pass is now $14 (or 3/7 days for $21/$27), according to this page:
http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfares/passports.htm
There's a link on that page to the "Where to Buy" page, here:
http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfares/passvend.htm
Basically, the ends of the cable car lines have vending machines, and you can buy them there. (I'm not sure about for the California line, but I've definitely seen them on both ends of the Powell-Hyde line).
And no, there's no such thing as "not crowded". It's kinda like
Disneyland.
While you can sometimes hop on in the middle of the line, it's a hit-or-miss affair. To be sure to get on, you'll want to enter on one end or the other. And at all cable car terminus points, there are generally lines. I've seen people line up for 30 minutes or more to get onto the cable car. Especially on Saturdays (sorry). Think of it like you're waiting for TSMM or something
No great queue features, but at the Aquatic Park end you get great views of the Bay, the GG Bridge, and Alcatraz.
HTH,
Bob
ETA - It appears I may be wrong. According to the first link I sent, it says "All day passport - these are only sold on cable cars." So it appears that you may be able to buy the pass on the cable car after all. Sorry, it's been many years since I lived in SF.