san francisco tour by car

Routes and Trips Travel Guide with Maps and Photos

San francisco sightseeing: a driving tour.

Posted by: Liisa Nygård

This post will show you a  San Francisco sightseeing itinerary by car. As distances are long in San Francisco, driving is by far the best way to explore the city.

No need to worry about driving in Central San Francisco. It’s super easy, yet its best to visit on a Saturday or Sunday when there is less traffic. Parking, however, may cause problems, but we found good solutions for that which I will share.

We spent a sunny Saturday driving around Central San Francisco and on Sunday we explored the Golden Gate area. Both days were fantastic and the natural beauty of the hilly metropolis surprised us.

There was a lot more to see than we had thought, coming from Europe and being fist time visitors.

San Francisco sightseeing: Alamo Square

So we did all our San Francisco sightseeing by car, but you can use public transport as well to get to the same places. That way it will only take more time and you will have to examine San Francisco bus and cable car maps and timetables.

San Francisco has well developed public transport and many connections. You just need to buy a day ticket at a kiosk (something like USD 20) and having that you are free to use buses, streetcars and old San Francisco cable cars for a day.

But now about our trip.

San Francisco Sightseeing Itinerary

San Francisco by car: driving itinerary on the map

Here you can see our San Francisco driving itinerary marked on a Google map. You can zoom in and out the map and use it as your guidance when driving.

We entered San Francisco from the freeway from the downtown exit (Fremont Street). After driving a long while up and down the incredibly steep hills (yes, they are steep) we left the car for a few hours in a parking garage (Beach Street close to Pier 39 on the map) and explored the Fisherman’s Wharf area by foot. Beach Street garages had very reasonable parking rates and they had flat rates for the whole day on a Saturday.

There are apps and websites with up to date information on parking spaces and rates. These handy tools helped us find where to park. Below are links to a few that might be helpful, and look for more on Google.

Online information on parking in San Francisco

Another provider of parking information in San Francisco

Downtown San Francisco

San Francisco skyscrapers

So we started with downtown San Francisco. After driving down from the freeway we got into a deep gorge with super high skyscrapers on both sides.

San Francisco Financial District

The Financial District of San Francisco has changed a lot since the Gold Rush when this place already was a base for trade functions. At that time the business people were miners that came here to weigh their gold and get a quote on it.

Driving through Downtown San Francisco

On weekdays the Financial District is hectic but on weekends there’s –  simply nobody. It’s easy to find parking space and have an urban walk in the deep shady canyons protected from all sunshine. Looking upwards you will see how high these earthquake protected buildings are!

San Francisco Sightseeing: Market Street

The old-style Market Street of San Francisco

Market Street is the main street that cuts through Downtown San Francisco, running from the Ferry Building  to the  Powell Street Cable Car Turntable .

Lined with low historic buildings this leafy alley is very different from the deep canyons all around it. Market Street rather looks like a European high street.

This is where most department stores are, making the San Francisco Market Street one of the main shopping streets of the city.

San Francisco sightseeing: Market Street in photos

Powell Street Cable Car Turntable

Cable car turning at the Powell Street cable car turntable

From the Powell Street cable car end stop you can take the cable car and travel to the Chinatown, Nob Hill and all the way to the other side of the hill where the Fisherman’s Wharf is. If you want to travel, simply pay the conductor. Cable car conductors also sell day passes.

This is the end stop where two cable car lines, the Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde lines turn back, so just set yourself in the queue and wait for the next cable car to come.

San Francisco Ferry Building

San Francisco by car: the old Ferry Building

At the other end of Market Street is the old Ferry Building. This was the main entry point to the city until two bridges, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge, were opened.

San Francisco has water on three sides so you can imagine how useful the bridges were – and still are.

Alcatraz, the historic prison island of San Francisco

Despite the bridges there’s still a lot of ferry traffic on the bay. You can take a ferry to Sausalito and Tiburon north of the bay, or to Oakland and Vallejo in the east.

There are also ferries to the historic Alcatraz Island, leaving from another terminal further north.

Chinatown San Francisco

A main street facade in Chinatown San Francisco

Chinatown is like a piece of China on the steep slopes of San Francisco.

This is Grant Avenue, the Chinatown’s main street. The busy street begins at the “Dragons’ Gate” and you will find loads of Chinese restaurants on the main street and even more on the side streets:

San Francisco Chinatown in photos

On the nearby Kearny Street the Chinese community of San Francisco gathers for Chinese music and games.

Weekend in a Chinese park

Looking at them you could imagine being in China. Fantastic how people keep up their traditions!

California Street

Driving behind a San Francisco cable car 

From Chinatown we took California Street up to Nob Hill.

California Street is so steep that it was almost too exiting for us to drive behind a cable car, stopping each time it stopped and starting uphill again each time it started. Street corner after street corner.

A cable car stopping to take passengers

Streets like this would never work in Europe where a lot of cars still have manual gears. With an automatic car it’s easier…

However, in some way we did manage to get up California Street (and all other streets)!  – And very soon we got used to driving up and down San Francisco hills.

Nob Hill and Russian Hill

Cable car going down from Nob Hill

Nob Hill, the highest summit of central San Francisco, is our next destination. Nob Hill looks like a wealthy area, which it is.

It started when wealthy families started building their houses up on the hill after the cable car line was opened. The new cable car line provided easy access to the hill.

Testing the San Francisco cable car

Cable cars on Nob Hill and Russian Hill

Later the 1906 earthquake took much of Nob Hill after which the wealthy house owners moved west to Pacific Heights and built their homes there.

However, Nob Hill was rebuilt and today it’s a place where upper class families and urban professionals like to live. And why not? Nob Hill and the next hill, Russian Hill , have splendid views to the city and to the bay area:

A San Francisco city tour on Russian Hill

Drive to the summit of Russian Hill and you will find the street said to be the crookedest street in the world:

San Francisco Sightseeing: Lombard Street

Lombard Street is the steepest street in San Francisco 

Even when the Americans insist on driving up and down the steep 44 San Francisco hills, one street turned out too steep even to them.

Lombard Street was so steep that it needed eight turns to make it drivable:

San Francisco by car: driving down the eight turns of Lombard Street

To make driving easier, the most curved section of Lombard Street was made a one-way street (only down), and there is a strict speed limit (5 mph, 8km/hour).

The curves enable driving down but the turns are too sharp for any longer cars and buses.

San Francisco sightseeing: driving down Lombard Street

Lombard Street twists down past green bushes and flower beds. If you’re not driving, use the steps for walkers that exist on both sides.

Walking up and down Lombard Street

Driving down Lombard Street was great fun and we had to do it twice, and then walk one more time. Recommend!

How to get to Lombard Street if you’re not driving: take the Powell-Hyde cable car. It stops at the top of the curved block and you can walk down the stairs and see the cars.

Fisherman’s Wharf

 Fisherman’s Wharf, a fishing harbor

From Lombard Street it’s a short drive down to the North Shore of San Francisco and to Fisherman’s Wharf. Fisherman’s Wharf was and still is a fishing harbor, but its new main focus has changed from fishing industry to tourism industry.

Colorful Fisherman’s Wharf flowers

Fisherman’s Wharf is known for its seafood restaurants (that exist in all price classes), cafes, shops, museums and other typical tourist attractions. Ferry cruises to the bay also start here.

The tourist area of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf

So most old harbor buildings have been transformed to restaurants and shopping malls. Not bad, both tourists and locals like this. And I like the pretty flower beds in between.

More flowers making the are attractive

Fisherman’s Wharf Pier 39

Pier 39, San Francisco

What all nature lovers come here for is the Pier 39 with colonies of barking Californian sea lions. The sea lions settled here after the 1989 earthquake when they had to escape from somewhere else and since that they have increased in number.

To get to the end of the pier where the sea lions are you will need to walk all the way through the tourist zone, souvenir shops and carousels. By the way, the carousel below has two levels:

Pier 39, a tourist place

Pier 39 is always packed with people and unlike elsewhere in the city, has a good choice of restaurants where to have lunch.

Many popular seafood restaurants

But the main thing here are the sea lions:

San Francisco Pier 39 Sea Lions

Pier 39 sea lions basking in the sun

Here they are, San Francisco sea lions, basking on the docks. Lying in the sun side by side and diving into the waters when they get hungry.

The place at the end of Pier 39 is just perfect for these water mammals, there is a lot of food in the water and the bay is sheltered from all winds and waves. The sun heats the air and the seals have their dear friends and neighbors around them :).

Friends and neighbors sunbathing

The number of Pier 39 sea lions varies along the year, the record number of seals present at the same time being 1700.

Most San Francisco seals travel south in summer to give birth to their pups and to be back here for winter. This means only a small number of sea lions stay here throughout the year.

Two California sea lions making a noise

California sea lions are noisy, they bark and they smell. Despite that they look really cute, social and intelligent. You definitely have to include Pier 39 in your San Francisco sightseeing program.

Now we could get back to the hills, to Pacific Heights:

Pacific Heights

Victorian houses of Pacific Heights

From the harbor it’s an easy drive to our next San Francisco destination. The residential area of Pacific Heights is on the next hill in order and offers great views to the city and the bay area.

Pacific Heights surprised us: all streets are lined with old-style Victorian homes. Easy to tell that this is an exclusive neighborhood.

The exclusive neighborhood on Pacific Heights

To start exploring the Victorian quarters, first drive around Lafayette Park that has rows of pretty Victorians on all four sides.

Then take Washington Street towards the next park in the west, Alta Plaza . The streets here are so quiet and leafy that you couldn’t imagine this is in a huge metropolis.

San Francisco by car: Pacific Heights building style

After you’ve seen enough of Pacific Heights, turn south to see a totally different neighborhood.

Our next San Francisco sight: the hippie suburb Haight Ashbury.

Haight Ashbury

Summer of Love in Height Ashbury, San Francisco

Haight Ashbury got its name from the corner of its two major streets, Haight and Ashbury. Like Pacific Heights and Nob Hill, Haight Ashbury consists of large Victorian houses – but that’s the only similarity.

Haight Ashbury has another kind of history. In the 1960’s the traditional middle-class residential area suddenly became the hotspot of the Flower Power generation .

The heyday of the Haight was the 1967 Summer of Lov e when thousands or young California dreamers flocked to the place and filled all quarters.

Typical views of the old hippie district

Finally something like 100 000 hippies from all over the States and abroad gathered in Haight and the nearby parks of Panhandle and Golden Gate. Many of their idols like Jimi Hendrix were living here at that time and rock music was heard and hippie art seen in all places.

After some years the movement faded and the area decayed, but Haight Ashbury still retains much of its hippie atmosphere.

Haight Ashbury, San Francisco

Today Haight Ashbury is a vibrant area with second-hand shops, cafes, bars and music shops. It still has an appeal and is well worth visiting when you are exploring San Francisco by car.

San Francisco by car: Haight Ashbury

Haight Ashbury is one of the places that made San Francisco world famous and represents for the people of that time the “real old” San Francisco  Yet it’s good to know that today Haight Ashbury is an area with severe crime and drug problems. So you need to watch up when walking here.

San Francisco Sightseeing: Alamo Square

San Francisco sightseeing by car: Alamo Square

Not far away from Haight Ashbury comes the place where we will end our San Francisco sightseeing tour for today.

Alamo Square has nice sets of Victorian houses, one of which is the famous postcard row that probably is the most photographed spot in all San Francisco. These houses called the “Painted Ladies” can be seen on San Francisco postcards.

Alamo Square, San Francisco

To get the best views of the painted ladies come here in the evening and look at them from the Alamo Square Park. In the evening when the sun shines on the painted ladies from the west it makes them shine.

The painted ladies at the top of San Francisco hills

Yet the Painted Ladies are not the only houses like that in the big city, there are Victorian houses all over San Francisco. Totally 14 000 Victorians have been saved in the city after all earthquakes and fires that have destroyed a lot of the city, time after time.

A San Francisco Victorian house

These pretty Victorian houses together with bay views from the 44 hills make San Francisco what it is. How many people know what San Francisco is like? It’s like this, and will be.

Next Post: Golden Gate Area Sights

The San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge

Our next post will show you more about San Francisco as we will go and see the Golden Gate Bridge and more Golden Gate area sights.

More on California Travel

More California posts that might also interest you:

Explore San Francisco:

• San Francisco Golden Gate Area Sights

San Francisco day trips:

• Napa Valley Day Trip from San Francisco
• Exploring the Historic Sonoma
• Day Trip to Muir Woods Redwood Forest
• Coastal Drive from San Francisco to Monterey

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These Tiny Yellow Cars Provide An Amazing Unconventional Tour Of The City

Stop whenever and wherever you want!

San Francisco is an exciting place to check out on your own two feet, but driving around in these fun open-air cars really ups the ante! Get around faster, see more landmarks, and make unique memories on this unconventional tour of SF.

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Each of these tiny open-air cars can fit 2 people. Drivers simply need to be over 21 with a valid driver’s license, and you’re good to go! Enjoy up to 7 hours of rental time to explore sights such as the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Crissy Field and more.

Each car is equipped with a GPS guide that will give you instructions, crack jokes, and tell stories about each stop on your tour. Your reservation also comes with helmets and a full tank of gas.

The great thing about taking a GoCar around the city is that you’ll see many more attractions without taking extra time to walk or catch a bus. If you play your cards right, you can fit in all the essential spots such as Fort Point, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Painted Ladies, Haight Ashbury, and more.

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Simply reserve your GoCar and pick it up between 10 and 11:30am at 431 Beach St, which is right near Fisherman’s Wharf. You’ll have until 5pm to cruise around and make the most of your day! Even long-term San Francisco residents will enjoy this unconventional perspective of their city.

Be sure to check out GoCar Tours in San Francisco for a tour that’s unlike any other!

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San Francisco City Day Tour: Self-Guided Drive

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Welcome to the san francisco city day tour.

Explore all that San Francisco has to offer, from the twists and turns of Lombard Street, through the bustling streets of Chinatown, and to the top of Telegraph Hill! This comprehensive self-guided San Francisco City Tour covers everything from the Painted Ladies to the Golden Gate Bridge. A San Francisco self-guided tour is a must-do on your tour of California. 

About the Tour

This San Francisco city tour begins with the Painted Ladies, one of the city’s top attractions. These beautiful, colorful homes exemplify Frisco’s funky culture and are a great way to start your journey. From there, you’ll hear about the city’s unique history and how it became one of the most progressive cities around.

Next, you’ll head into the city’s tech quarter, where you’ll spot big-name HQs like Uber and Twitter and get a crash course in how Frisco became the go-to spot for the most cutting-edge tech produced anywhere.

Then you’ll swing by the City Hall, which you might feel like you recognize because you probably do! Here, you’ll get the inside scoop on how the movie industry uses this building as a stand-in for Washington, D.C.’s Capitol building in all sorts of films.

After that, buckle your seatbelts because you’re heading down Lombard Street, aka the most crooked street in the world! This picturesque, winding road has been another show biz staple for ages, but experiencing it for yourself is a whole different ball game.

Next, you’ll climb Telegraph Hill to look at the famous Coit’s Tower and some truly unbeatable city views. While up there, you’ll learn to identify some of the most famous structures that make up Frisco’s skyline. Then it’s on to Chinatown and Manilatown, where you’ll hear about both historic districts’ long, embattled history.

You’ll turn next onto Stockton Street and get a good look at something else you won’t see every day: cable cars. You’ll get to know their history and why these quirky little cars are still used today.

At last, you’ll reach the beautiful waterfront, home to some of the best food and drink in Frisco, not to mention astonishing views of the bay! Your tour will conclude here, but that isn’t where the fun ends! Included with your San Francisco tour is a complimentary bonus tour of the Golden Gate Bridge. With the bonus tour, you’ll get up close and personal with that famous landmark and even drive across it for some killer views!

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What You'll See

Your tour of San Francisco begins in the trendy Hayden Valley neighborhood.

The Painted Ladies

See one of San Fran's most iconic landmarks and find out where they got their flare.

Brief History of SF

Get a crash course on the long history of this coastal city.

Progressive SF

Discover why the bay area has long been a bastion of progressive ideas.

Hear how the tech industry has transformed the city over the last couple decades.

Spot the tech headquarters that went from an underdog to a household name.

Swing by the HQ of one of the biggest tech companies around.

Check out San Francisco's remarkable city hall and hear why you might recognize it already.

Harvey Milk

Learn about one of the most famous figures in San Francisco's political history.

Lombard Street

Experience the "most crooked street in the world."

Telegraph Hill

Take in amazing views from atop one of the city's tallest hills.

Coit's Tower

Pay a visit to this iconic tower and snap some panoramic photos of the city below.

Identify the most striking skyscrapers in San Fran's spectacular skyline.

Cruise through the second largest Chinatown outside Asia and learn about its conflict-rocked history.

Transamerica Pyramid

Get the full story behind one of the city's most famous skyscrapers.

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company

Uncover the little-known history behind a famous American snack.

Revisit the days of streetcars and cable cars as you explore the city.

Dragon's Gate

Witness the towering, extravagant gate marking the entrance to Chinatown.

The Gold Rush

Hear how the discovery of gold in California forever changed San Francisco.

Embarcadero

Your tour concludes at the waterfront Embaradero, but you can keep the adventure going with a bonus tour of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Preview The Tour

   what is the most famous street in san francisco.

Lombard Street is the most famous street in San Francisco , and for good reason! This impossibly steep, garden-lined street is as unique as it is picturesque, offering amazing city views and a photo op like no other.

  How Long Does It Take to Drive Around San Francisco Bay?

It takes around 4-6 hours to drive all around the San Francisco Bay Area , especially because you’ll want to make plenty of stops along your route. For best results, you should budget a whole day for exploration, shopping, and picture-taking. 

  What is the weather like in San Francisco?

Don’t expect the sunny beach weather of Los Angeles in San Francisco! While summers are still quite warm, anticipate chilly mornings and evenings, frequently overcast skies, and the occasional misty rain.

  What are 3 interesting facts about San Francisco?

San Francisco is actually the second most densely populated city in the US, behind only New York City! Within that density, you’ll also find not one, but two Chinatowns! San Francisco is also where iconic inventions like blue jeans and the electronic television originated.

  What is San Francisco most popular for?

San Francisco’s most popular attraction is almost certainly the Golden Gate Bridge. This iconic American landmark is one of the most photographed spots in the country, and the park attached to it makes for a lovely destination for any traveler.

  What is the best month to go to San Francisco?

September or October are among the best months to visit San Francisco. Temperatures are still pretty warm, there are fewer crowds than in the summer, and you’ll find street fairs and festivals galore.

  What is the best way to tour San Francisco?

While San Francisco is one of the densest cities on the west coast, driving is still the easiest way to see a lot of the city. That’s because the dramatic hills which define San Fran can make for a pretty arduous walking experience. Three blocks doesn’t sound like very far to go until you realize you’ll be walking at a 30 degree incline the whole way!

  What is the Coolest Neighborhood in San Francisco?

While there’s no one answer to this question, many will tell you that Hayes Valley is the coolest neighborhood in San Francisco . That’s thanks to the boutiques, art galleries, and European-style pubs which make it a phenomenal destination for anyone looking to get away from the touristy stuff and get a taste of the real San Francisco.

  What is the culture of San Francisco?

San Francisco is hip, trendy, and overwhelmingly progressive. The city has a thriving LGBT community, the youth and vibrancy one would expect from a tech hub, and a quirky hipster vibe unlike anywhere else in the country.

  Why is San Francisco so famous?

San Francisco has been famous for countless things over the years, from being a Gold Rush mecca in the 1800s to a hub for queer culture in the ‘80s and a tech industry titan today. The only constant is that this city is always pushing boundaries and carving its own path into the future!

  How many days in San Francisco is enough?

Thanks to its density, three days is usually enough to experience all the best parts of the city. Of course, there’s always more to see in a city like this one, so you definitely won’t run out of things to do if you stay even longer!

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Everything about tourist attractions

San Francisco Go Car Tour – tickets, prices, discounts, what to expect

What could possibly be a better way to see San Francisco than in a Go Car?

Ride a GoCar all over San Francisco as it navigates for you and provides a guided tour. 

Take as long as you like to explore the city with a storytelling car as your guide.

This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the Go Car San Francisco tour.

Top San Francisco Go Car Tour Tickets

# Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard GoCar Tour # 3-Hour Early Bird GoCar Tour # 49-Mile GoCar Special tour

Table of contents

What to expect on san francisco go car tour, where to book tickets, how do online tickets work, cost of go car san francisco tickets, golden gate bridge and lombard gocar tour tickets, 3-hour early bird gocar tour tickets, 49 mile gocar special tickets, from where do sf go car tours start, san francisco go car tour timings, how long does go car tour take, best time to go for san francisco go car tour, frequently asked questions about go car tours san francisco.

Drive around San Francisco’s stunning Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard Street in a GPS-guided, talking GoCar that will serve as your tour guide. 

GoCar enables you to explore San Francisco’s splendor at your own pace and go to areas that tour buses can’t.

Go off the beaten path through San Francisco’s iconic parks on your way.

Snap amazing photos along the Pacific Ocean and see the Golden Gate Bridge up close from above and below. 

You can even park and stroll along the span of the bridge if you choose.

On the way back, explore the boutique shopping districts of Chestnut and Union Street, then fill the trunk with the latest fashions or stop for a bite to eat. 

Finish your tour by winding your way up Russian Hill to take an exhilarating ride down notoriously crooked Lombard Street.

An appropriate driving orientation and safety briefing, along with all the safety gear, will be supplied to you.

Tickets for San Francisco Go Car Tour are available online and at the tour agency office

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters. 

Because Go Car Tours sell limited tickets, they may sell out during peak days.

Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

Visit the ticket booking page for San Francisco Go Car Tour , select the preferred date, time slot, and number of tickets, and buy the tickets immediately.

Once you purchase tickets, they get delivered to your email address.

There is no need to get printouts of the ticket. 

Show the e-ticket on your smartphone at the entrance and walk in. Please carry a valid ID with you.

Tickets for Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard GoCar Tour   and 3-Hour Early Bird GoCar Tour for visitors of all ages are priced US$172 for two people.

Tickets for all ages for the 49-Mile GoCar Special tour are priced at US$311 for two people.

San Francisco Go Car Tour tickets

Jump into a GoCar and get ready to discover the famous sites and streets of San Francisco. 

A range of options is available for you to pick from.

An instructor will be available throughout the tour.

The audio guide included in the ticket is available in English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian.

A brief driving and safety orientation will be provided to you.

All safety gear will be supplied on the tour.

Back to Top

Zip around in a GPS-guided, talking GoCar, taking you on an exciting loop of San Francisco’s breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard Street. 

GoCar allows you to experience the beauty of San Francisco and visit places at your own pace.

Explore the iconic Fisherman’s Wharf and get a glimpse of Fort Mason and the Presidio.

View the Marina District and Crissy Field and wind your way down famous Lombard Street.

See the Golden Gate Bridge and other amazing attractions as you ride ahead!

Ticket Price: US$172 for up to two guests

The early bird special is a unique offer for those willing to wake up before the crowds begin to assemble. 

Start your tour at Fisherman’s Wharf packed with adventure. 

Your GoCar allows you to choose your route – follow one of the provided maps or make your itinerary as the GPS-driven tour guide follows your path and keeps pace.

Jump into a GPS-guided GoCar for a full-day tour of San Francisco. 

Major tour highlights: 

– Pass by Fisherman’s Wharf, the Marina District, and Crissy Field.

– See the Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point.

– Admire the Presidio and the Legion of Honor.

– Cruise by the Cliff House and Ocean Beach.

– Roam through Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury, and Alamo Square.

– View the Palace of Fine Arts and Russian Hill.

– Get a glimpse of Coit Tower and North Beach.

– Explore Chinatown, Downtown, Union Square, Lombard Street. and the Financial District.

– Drive down the Embarcadero and past Pier 39.

Ticket Price: US$311 for up to two guests

Save money & time! Buy a San Francisco City Explorer Pass and Choose 2 to 5 attractions and tours from over 25 activities. Visit the Aquarium of the Bay, go on a Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Tour, or take a Francisco Bay Cruise and many more!

The Go Car tours in San Francisco starts in the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf. 

Address : 431 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States. Get Directions 

The most convenient way to reach Go Car Tour San Francisco is by public transport and car. 

By Transit (bus and train)

Jones St & Beach St is the nearest transit stop to Go Car Tour, San Francisco, only 1 minute’s walk away.

North Point St & Jones St is the nearest bus stop, only 3 minutes walk away. 

If you’re coming by car, turn on your Google Maps and get started!

Fishermans’ Wharf Parking is the nearest parking lot to San Francisco Go Car tour, at 1 minute’s walking distance.

You can experience the Go Car GPS tour of San Francisco any day of the week.

From Monday to Friday, the car rides are available from 10 am to 5 pm, while on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 am to 5 pm.

The San Francisco Go Car tour usually takes two hours to complete. 

However, if you choose to take an early bird tour, you will get a three-hour tour at the price of a two-hour tour.

You can also opt for a full-day go-car tour at an extra cost.

The best time to experience the Go Car Tour in San Francisco is as soon as it starts at 10 am.

If you take the tour later in the afternoon or after, the streets might get crowded, and you won’t be able to explore conveniently.

Early in the morning, the sites are not crowded, so you will get a picture-perfect view.

You can surf the ticketing options and buy your tickets online for a preferred tour option.

Yes, you must bring your Driver’s license, Credit card, and ID card (copy accepted) for the tour.

You must be 21 years or older to take the GoCar ride. 

Children aged 7 years and above can go for San Francisco’s GoCar Tours. The cars do not have booster seats for small children.

On the day of rental, a US $500 security deposit will be held on your credit card until the GoCar is returned. 

Popular attractions in San Francisco

# Alcatraz Island # San Francisco Zoo # California Academy of Sciences # Monterey Bay Aquarium # San Francisco MoMA # San Francisco aquarium # Exploratorium # De Young Museum # San Francisco Bus Tours # Madame Tussauds # San Francisco Bay Cruise # San Francisco Ghost Tour # The Tech Interactive # San Francisco Dinner Cruise # SFO Go Car Tour # Legion of Honor Museum # Walt Disney Family Museum # Museum of 3D Illusions # 7D Ride Experience

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This article was researched & written by

Utkarsh Chauhan

He loves to travel to beautiful locations but prefers mountains and hilly areas. For him, travel means meeting new people, knowing about their culture, and trying cuisines. He loves to sit peacefully on top of a hill after a long trek, adoring the priceless beauty of nature. Favourite Cities: Chamonix, Hallstatt, Whistler, Innsbruck and Gstaad.

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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A Cable Car Tour of San Francisco

TripSavvy / Melissa Zink

San Francisco's cable cars travel to many well-known sights: Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, Chinatown , North Beach, Union Square. They can also take you on a journey of discovery into some of the city's neighborhoods.

This trip on two of the three lines can be done in a day and will take you to three very different parts of town: posh Nob Hill, peaceful Pacific Heights and the waterfront.

The Experience

Listen. The bells clang, the cars groan as they go up and down the hills. The cables sing. Over it all, you hear tourists chattering and people discussing their lives. Like San Franciscans in general, the grip persons are a diverse lot. In one day of riding, I saw a long beard (halfway down his chest), a pierced nose, a Little Richard wanna-be, and a long gray ponytail under a green beret.

If you're brave, ride on the outside. Stand on the running board and hang onto one of the poles on the outside of the car. It's a vulnerable, thrilling feeling, but watch out for other cable cars approaching. They pass quite close and it's easy to get hurt; don't learn this the hard way.

Practicalities

Before you start this tour, learn how to ride the cable cars and how to avoid paying for a new ticket every time you get on.

Powell-Hyde Line: Cable Car Museum and Russian Hill

From the Powell Street turnaround at Market Street near Union Square , take the Powell-Hyde Line. Two lines leave from this same spot, so you need to check the name at the end of the car. It should say  Powell-Hyde (it has a brown sign).

The cable car ascends, passing Union Square and Nob Hill and then turns left onto Jackson Street. A block after the turn, at Mason Street, is the Cable Car Museum . Get off and go inside to watch the sheaves that control the three continuous loops of cable. Peer down at the machines that turn them and marvel that it all works as well as it does. Aside from people going to the museum, the surrounding neighborhood is peaceful.

Reboard the cable car going up Jackson. Get off at Pacific Avenue on Russian Hill to explore the neighborhood. The cable car passes through this quiet neighborhood like an intruder, banging and clanging through with its load of tourists.

There are many choices for an  evening meal on Hyde Street, and the easiest way to identify a good spot is to see how crowded it is. If you have room afterward, stop at the original Swensen's ice cream parlor on Hyde between Union Street and Warner Place for dessert.

Continue on Hyde toward the waterfront , walking if you can. Take a side trip onto Filbert Street to enjoy a sweeping view of Telegraph Hill and the San Francisco Bay. Hyde Street crests between Filbert and Greenwich then goes down gently toward Lombard Street.

At Lombard Street , pandemonium often breaks out. The one-block section of Lombard called the "crookedest" street draws flocks of tourists. They're everywhere - walking up and down, taking photos and creating a traffic hazard. In the supreme act of touristy gotta-tick-off-all-the-sights mania, some of them even hail a taxi or call an Uber just to take them down the street.

The park across Hyde at Greenwich is the opposite of the busy Lombard Street scene. Benches invite you to linger in the shade. On the west side of the hill are fine views of the Golden Gate Bridge , Palace of Fine Arts and the Presidio.

Re-board the cable car at Lombard , where the roller coaster ride begins as the tracks plunge sharply downhill toward the end of the line where you can explore Ghirardelli Square, the Maritime Museum, and Fisherman's Wharf.

California Line: Nob Hill

When you leave Fisherman's Wharf, don't get back on at Hyde Street, where lines are perpetually long. Instead, walk to Taylor and Bay (where lines are shorter) and take the cable car back toward Union Square.

Get off at California (where the cable car lines cross) and walk west toward the big hotels. People - even children - always seem to be in a hush on Nob Hill . Around 1900, the hill was adorned with the finest homes in San Francisco, built with money earned from the Gold Rush and railroads. Only the big, brown Huntington Mansion survived the 1906 fire. Nearby, you'll find the Mark Hopkins Hotel, whose Top of the Mark restaurant and bar affords some of the city's best views.

In Huntington Park , even the trees are formal, but there's plenty of activity. Artists sketch and kids play around the classical fountains. Next to the park is Grace Cathedral , a Gothic-style cathedral with Florentine bronze doors. Inside are frescoes of California history, both secular and religious. Inside and outside are two lovely labyrinths, perfect for a contemplative walk.

Get back on the California cable car and get off at Polk Street for a look at a San Francisco neighborhood. Here you'll find the Swan Oyster Depot, opened in 1912 and still going strong. Just up California, near Leavenworth, is Zeki's Bar, a local watering hole.

To get back to where you started, take the California Line cable car back to where you got on it earlier on Nob Hill, then walk down to Union Square or take another cable car back to the Powell Street turnaround.

San Francisco Tourist Tips

The Top 9 Things to Do in Russian Hill

How to Ride a Cable Car in San Francisco

18 Top Things to Do in San Francisco, California With Kids

Your Trip to San Francisco: The Complete Guide

Fisherman's Wharf - San Francisco

One Day in San Francisco

How to Visit Lombard Street the Right Way

Irish Coffee in San Francisco

Getting Around the San Francisco Bay Area: A Public Transit Guide

5 Great Walks in San Francisco

The 20 Best Things to Do in San Francisco

49-Mile Drive in San Francisco: What You Need to Know

Ghirardelli Square: The Complete Guide

San Francisco's USS Pampanito: The Complete Guide

Don't Miss These Great San Francisco Attractions

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How to Ride

The san francisco cable car.

This post is a guide to riding the famous San Francisco cable cars including tips on tickets, routes, and how to ride.

We give you tips on which important attractions and sights can be seen with each particular line. We also include a ride (and tutorial) on our  San Francisco in One Day Tour . 

As a local San Francisco tour guide, I spend a lot of time doing things alone, often before or after my tours.

To help write this post, I've used some of my and my fellow guides' experiences on the cable cars and streetcars.

I've also used some of the ideas from people like you, folks who have taken our tours.

I hope the post provides you with all of the info you need to have an enjoyable ride through the beautiful city of San Francisco!

• Cable Car Routes
• Where to Board
• Tickets + Schedules
• Information, Including How to Ride a Cable Car
• Cable Cars vs. Streetcars
• Tips from Locals and Travelers
• Things to do in San Francisco

CABLE CAR ROUTES

There are three routes you can choose from.

• Powell-Hyde Line (Blue Line)
• Powell-Mason Line (Green Line)
• California Line (Red Line)

Which cable car route is the best to take?

Though each route provides breathtaking views, your experience will vary depending on the direction the car is going, your location in the car, your driver, and traffic. 

All three lines intersect at the California Street and Powell Street intersection.

Click on the image below to open a larger interactive San Francisco Cable Car map.

Most San Franciscans will tell you that the Powell-Hyde line is the most exciting trip to take and we wholeheartedly agree.

The Powell-Hyde Street line starts at the cable car turnaround at Powell Street and Market Street ( map ).

On this route, you'll have views of  Coit Tower , Alcatraz Island , the Financial District, and San Francisco Bay.

As it rides north along Powell Street, you pass by Union Square, through the downtown area, and ride up to Nob Hill where the views can’t be beaten.  

You'll also pass the  Cable Car Museum , which is located at 1201 Mason Street, worth a visit if you are interested in the mechanics and history of cable cars.

As the ride continues up (and up, and up) to Russian Hill, you'll cross Lombard Street , known as the "Crookedest Street in the World."  

It's from this stop (Hyde and Lombard) that you will get an unobstructed view of Alcatraz Island.

The car then plunges (VERY slowly) down the steep Russian Hill and you'll arrive at Fisherman's Wharf . From there, where you connect with our Fisherman's Wharf tour or see Pier 39 at the end of the route!

One thing it's important to note is that tickets for this line must be purchased in advance of boarding if traveling between 8 am and 8 pm.

TIP:  For the best views, we suggest riding on the right side of the car if you're departing from Powell & Market, and the left side if you're departing from Hyde & Beach.

Which cable car goes to Chinatown?

The California Line will take you to the southern end of Chinatown. It's not the most popular cable car line in the Bay Area, but it's an excellent option if you want to visit this historic district of San Francisco.

This cable car service will also take you to the Financial District!

Which cable car goes to Lombard Street?

As we mentioned previously, the Powell-Hyde line will take you to the top of Lombard Street, but if you want to see it from the bottom, you should take the Powell-Mason Street line instead.

It's also worth noting that the Powell-Mason line ends just a few blocks short of the Aquatic Park.

WHERE TO BOARD A CABLE CAR

The easiest way to start your cable car ride is at one of the turnarounds (in other words, the beginning/end of the line).

Above you'll find a video of the Powell-Market Sts. turnaround where you can see the conductor and grip operator turn the cable car around so it can head back in the other direction!

You may also start your cable car ride at any stop along the route . 

Stops are located about every two blocks along each line, and you'll see a brown and white sign that says MUNI Cable Car Stop.

When waiting at the stop, you'll see the cable car approaching from a distance. - when it nears you, raise your hand to signal the driver to stop or the driver may pass you by!

Keep in mind that if you board at a stop that is somewhat near the beginning of the cable car line, the car might be full and you won't be allowed to board.

CABLE CAR TICKETS

You have a few different payment options to buy your ticket:

The most convenient way is to purchase tickets from the MUNImobile app . 

You then use the app to open the ticket image which you then show the conductor! It's very cool and super convenient. 

You can also buy your tickets at the ticket booths located at the Powell-Market Street turnaround and the Hyde-Beach Street cable car turnaround.

Be warned: lines at the ticket booths can be very long.

Buy your ticket from the cable car conductor. Officially, you can only pay with exact change.

However, conductors often give back change, but you must pay with small bills ($1, $5, $10, $20). The driver won't take any money larger than a $20 bill.

You can buy your tickets from the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau (also at Powell and Market).

TIP:  Instead of waiting in long lines at the ticket booths, walk up a few blocks, catch your cable car there, and purchase your ticket from the conductor.

But remember, you must have small bills to purchase your ticket from the cable car conductor.  

CABLE CAR TICKET PRICES

You may have heard that you can hop off and on cable cars as many times as you like once you purchase a ticket.

This isn't exactly true, though there is a way to use cable cars as a hop-on/hop-off tour experience.

So, how much does it cost to take a cable car ride in San Francisco?

Single Ride Tickets  

These are $8 a trip (no transfers) although there's a discount of $4 for seniors, the disabled, and those with Medicare if they ride before 7 am and after 9 pm. An ID for the latter may be required.

Note that youth under the age of four can ride cable cars for free.

These tickets are valid for a single ride. If you start your ride, then get out of the car and try to board a different car, you will have to pay another $7.

Visitor Passport Tickets  

If you are interested in taking more than one ride or doing a self-planned hop-on/hop-off trip, you may want to buy a Visitor Passport Ticket.

These tickets give you unlimited rides on cable cars and other transportation modes (Muni, Muni Metro, and historic streetcars).  

You can purchase the following tickets, however, it's important to note that multi-day passes must be used consecutively.

• 1-Day | $13.00 plus a $3.00 card fee
• 3-Day | $31.00 plus a $3.00 card free
• 7-Day | $41.00 plus a $3.00 card fee

Note that there is a discount on these if you purchase them on the MuniMobile app, though you can also find them at ticket kiosks and sales locations.

For more information check the  San Francisco MTA  website.

A bonus: if you are buying a Visitor Passport ticket, these tickets sometimes save you money at San Francisco attractions.

One of the most common savings is at stores at Ghirardelli Square.

So head over to the Powell-Hyde line and then hop over to Ghirardelli for a delicious ice cream sundae after your ride!

TIP: If you are thinking about taking a guided hop-on/hop-off bus tour, take a look at our post for all the options as well as recommendations   Which San Francisco Bus Tour Is Best?

CABLE CAR SCHEDULES

The cable car hours start at 7 am and some operate until 11 pm every day.

With 62 stations on the 3 cable car lines, we can't list the entire schedule here.

However, you can plan out your trip on the SFMTA website. This is where you can see the departure schedule for your desired station.

CABLE CAR INFORMATION

Below we've included some information on how to ride a cable car, about how they work, and about the history of this San Francisco landmark.

How to Ride a Cable Car

Riding a cable car is somewhere between riding an open-air bus and taking a roller coaster ride (but a slow roller coaster!)

If you have never ridden a cable car before, it's good to know the 'rules of the road', especially if you want to have the best views or the most comfortable ride -- or both!

When you board the cable car, you'll have to decide what kind of ride you want to take.

Many people prefer to sit down for a more comfortable ride (although the wooden benches are pretty hard, and the cable car does bounce around a bit).

Other people prefer to stand up and hold onto the poles to make the ride a little more exciting, especially as the car goes up and down the steep San Francisco hills.

Note that the cars don't stop at every single stop. You must let the driver know ahead of time by saying something like "Next stop, please".

Most importantly make sure to keep your arms and legs inside the car--we don't want anybody getting hurt!

Above is a video where you can see for yourself the best way to ride the cable cars and what you shouldn't do while riding one (like waving...not a great idea!)

How Cable Cars Work

It's actually quite simple.

The cable car runs on a track that is connected to a cable line. The cable lines are always moving through the city streets at a constant speed.

When the conductor needs to stop, he or she simply releases the car's grip on the cable. To move, the grip is initiated again.

Thus all the movement of the cars comes from the tracks and below.

History of the Cable Cars

Before cable cars were invented, the only form of mass transit was horse-drawn trolleys.  

That's fine in flat areas of the region. But San Francisco is well known for its steep hills.

Enter Andrew Hallidie, a wealthy businessman who, after witnessing a bad horse-trolley accident said to himself, "There's got to be a better way!"

He put his time, money, and energy into discovering that better way, and in 1873 the San Francisco Cable Car took to the streets.

They quickly became one of the city’s most widely used and most recognized modes of transportation.

Though the cable car system was nearly eliminated twice (once due to the destruction caused by the 1906 earthquake, and again in 1947 at the hands of the city’s mayor), the cable car has always managed to stay on its tracks.

The San Francisco Cable Cars were named a National Historic Landmark in 1964, the first public transportation system to do so.

You can read more about its history at  San Francisco Cable Cars: The Invention that Changed a City .

SAN FRANCISCO STREETCARS

Despite the common belief that the San Francisco Cable Car and San Francisco Streetcars are synonymous and interchangeable, this isn’t actually the case.  

The cable car runs on a track that is connected to a cable line, thus all the movement of the cars comes from the tracks and below.

The streetcar runs on tracks as well but has an electrical pole on top connecting it to a wire, its main source of power.

They could technically be called a San Francisco Tram or even a San Francisco Trolley but this is not something locals like to hear.

You can read more about the city's streetcars at  How to Ride San Francisco's Historic Streetcar .

The  San Francisco Cable Car  looks like this:

The  San Francisco Streetcar  looks like this:

Hop on, hold tight, and enjoy your ride in San Francisco!!

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

While we do our best to provide all the information you'll need to ride San Francisco cable cars and streetcars, sometimes you need answers to specific questions related to your personal experience.

Thankfully, our  San Francisco Travel Tips group on Facebook is the perfect place to look for any answers you may need.

Here are a few examples of interesting and helpful tips and tricks provided by our staff and others:

• Skip long lines by riding before 9 in the morning or after 8 at night.
• You can also skip long lines at one stop by walking up to the next cable car stop.
• Sadly, cable cars do not have accessible boarding.
• If you can, stand on the ride and grab onto a pole. Hold very tightly!
• The most popular seats face outside and they are grabbed quickly. If you want one and aren't first in line, go around to the other side of the car.
• Be sure to keep your backpacks, bags, and purses toward the center of the car and not dangling outside of the car because trucks, buses, and other cable cars pass nearby.
• If traffic allows, the driver may let you off between stops. No matter what though, you should not get off until the car comes to a complete stop.

Related Posts

• Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tours
• Things to Do in San Francisco
• Alcatraz Tours

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Watch CBS News

Gaza protest shuts down Golden Gate Bridge for hours, causing gridlock on both sides of span

By Dave Pehling , Wilson Walker

Updated on: April 15, 2024 / 6:53 PM PDT / CBS San Francisco

The Golden Gate Bridge reopened to traffic early Monday afternoon following a pro-Palestinian protest that shut down the span in both directions for hours, according to CHP.

CHP reopened the bridge to southbound traffic shortly after 12:15 p.m., while northbound traffic was held for several minutes as authorities cleared their staging area that occupied those lanes as police and CHP officer arrested protesters. Both directions were reopened by around 12:20 p.m.

This concludes the Golden Gate Bridge protest pic.twitter.com/rP0KoRwOeM — Wilson Walker (@WilsonKPIX) April 15, 2024

"I'm sympathetic and I understand the cause," explain Scott. A driver stuck on 101.  "I do. I just wish I'd left 20 minutes earlier. I would have missed all of this."

Just short of the bridge, in a sea of cars going nowhere. One driver trying to reach family on the other side.

"I'm gonna try to get through," Scott said. "My daughter needs me. She's got four little ones there and I'm supposed to be helping take care of them while she's working."

The hours dragged on. People began walking pets, and striking out for supplies.

"Our poor Uber driver," said Brianna & Brienne, two passengers visiting from out of town.

And amongst the crowds a constant chatter about the protest that had stuck them all here. Some were sympathetic.

"Yes it's an inconvenience," Brienne added. "But it's also inconvenient to be inconvenient to a human being in Gaza right now."

"Stop arming Israel," said Sloan Cooper, looking at news of the protest on his phone as he stood by the bridge. "Which I think we should stop arming Israel. So I'm in support of that."

There was also plenty of frustration.

"My thing is civil liberties should be protected, but there is a limit," said John Fassero. "When you have this level of disruption in the transportation system, I think we need to draw a line."

The bridge protest was the second demonstration to impact traffic on Bay Area freeways. It was first reported shortly after 8 a.m., hours after a pro-Palestinian protest closed all lanes on I-880 in Oakland .

Southbound traffic on the span was at a standstill with traffic backing up through the Robin Williams Tunnel and well past Sausalito on southbound 101, CHP said.

There was also word from CHP that protesters were also trying to block traffic on the northbound side, though vehicles initially seemed to be getting across the span in that direction.

Chopper footage of the protest on the Golden Gate Bridge showed protesters with a banner that read "STOP THE WORLD FOR GAZA" across the southbound lanes. There was no traffic seen in the video moving in the northbound lanes. 

While the protesters were only occupying southbound lanes on the bridge, CHP may have closed the northbound lanes as authorities attempt to clear the protest.

Shortly before 10:30 a.m., video from chopper showed protesters being detained, but the bridge remained closed. Drivers in the southbound back-up on Highway 101 were being instructed by CHP to turn around as authorities tried to clear some of the traffic from the freeway.

At around 11:45 a.m., CHP confirmed that 20 people had been arrested total in the two protests. By noon, tow trucks were beginning to remove the vehicles that protesters had blocked lanes with from the bridge.

CHP later confirmed they arrested 26 protesters at the Golden Gate Bridge protest. The protesters used chains concealed in pipes to connect themselves to each other, slowing the process of clearing the demonstration. A total of four vehicles were impounded, CHP said.

The protesters arrested are facing a variety of charges, including unlawful assembly, remaining at an unlawful assembly, refusing to comply with a lawful order, unlawful stopping on a bridge, unlawfully being a pedestrian on a freeway, impeding an officer, conspiracy to commit a crime and false imprisonment.  

A similar protest  blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge last February.  However that protest did not result in any arrests and only closed the freeway briefly.  

The actions were planned as part of an "economic blockade" coordinated with similar protests around the world with disruptions happening in New York and Chicago . Protesters are hoping to target "the global economy for its complicity in Israel's ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people," organizers under the banner A15Action said.

According to Bay City News Service, an additional protest is planned for noon at UN Plaza and Market and Hyde streets in San Francisco, by the Group Code Pink. Another demonstration by the A15Action group is also planned at 5:30 p.m. at the Tesla factory in Fremont.  

• Golden Gate Bridge

Dave Pehling started his journalism career doing freelance writing about music in the late 1990s, eventually working as a web writer, editor and producer for KTVU.com in 2003. He moved to CBS to work as the station website's managing editor in 2015.

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Plans for private San Francisco-Los Angeles overnight sleeping car service revived

N EWPORT BEACH, Calif. - The company seeking to start a luxury sleeping car train between downtown San Francisco and Los Angeles Union station says it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Union Pacific "formalizing the parties' negotiations toward a comprehensive final agreement" to begin operations by 2025.

A press release issued by Dreamstar Lines Inc. on March 23 says "the service will feature state-of-the-art sleeping cars with private rooms with lie-flat beds, en-suite showers, high-speed internet connectivity, on-board food, beverage, and hospitality services and "last mile" transportation, ensuring a seamless, peaceful, and hassle-free passenger experience."

Working with UP

In emailed responses to Trains News Wire questions, Dreamstar co-founders Joshua Dominic and Thomas Eastmond say the company's discussions with Union Pacific were restarted last year after initial talks in 2018.

"We have provisionally identified terms for track access payments that will work for both of us," they write. Regarding liability insurance, they say, "UP requires roughly the amount of the statutory cap on passenger rail damages. Our broker has sourced the necessary insurance stack; the premium isn't cheap but fits within our model."

Dominic, the company CEO, says in the release, "Dreamstar officials expressed their appreciation towards their counterparts at Union Pacific," adding, "We've been really impressed with their willingness to think creatively about how we can work together for the benefit of both our companies and the public."

The memorandum of understanding follows UP's cooperation with another private operator, Rocky Mountaineer, on the Colorado route that also hosts Amtrak's California Zephyr. Like UP's Coast Line that Dreamstar would utilize, it is not a main freight corridor, and thus has extra capacity and scheduling flexibility to handle a passenger train making a leisurely trip.

Seeking bilevels

Regarding equipment acquisition, Dominic writes, "We are currently weighing different options, and focused on finding the right cars and right partners to develop train cars designed to provide a relaxing and comfortable environment for sleeping. We intend to remanufacture existing bilevel cars.  We have a couple of potential sources for those that we're talking with."

Amtrak‘s Superliners are the only bilevel sleepers currently operating, but from time to time other operators have floated plans for utilizing carbodies and shells of bilevel commuter coaches as a platform for modern sleeping and lounge cars.

The most extensive luxury upgrading of overnight lounge, dining, and sleeping cars began with the American European Express single-level Heritage conversions of 1989, which initially operated on the rear of Amtrak's Chicago-Washington Capitol Limited. That equipment eventually morphed into American Orient Express and Grand Luxe special trains. Colorado Railcar was working on bilevel designs when the company went bankrupt in 2008. With only a handful of exceptions, most of the Grand Luxe rolling stock has since been gutted or scrapped.

Regarding motive power, Dominic says, "We're currently exploring different locomotive options. We’ve had some interesting discussions with manufacturers about zero-emissions locomotive technology, and it’s looking like that tech will be ready for our [later] expansion stage. Currently, we’re looking at either leasing or purchasing existing motive power. We like the more environmentally friendly options, but need to make sure it can meet the operational requirements to provide our service. Much of what we have seen so far has focused on much shorter distance routes. Otherwise we'll use standard diesel-electric locomotives to start the service, either leased or acquired, and rebuilt from passenger operators that are currently in the process of replacing their motive power fleet."

Overnight history and fares

Dreamstar is also "working toward an agreement" with Metrolink, a tenant at Los Angeles Union Station, and Caltrain, which would afford access directly to downtown San Francisco. This would enable Dreamstar to recreate the overnight "downtown-to-downtown" convenience of Southern Pacific's Lark that operated until April 1968.

When Amtrak relieved SP of its passenger trains in May 1971, the former Coast Daylight was rerouted east of San Francisco Bay at San Jose, Calif., to Oakland, and extended north to Seattle as the Coast Starlight. California's state-supported Spirit of California briefly offered a Sacramento-Los Angeles overnight Coast Line alternative between Oct. 25, 1981, and Sept. 30, 1983, with one or two heritage sleepers and Amfleet equipment. But the train was dropped when the state's new Republican governor pulled the plug on funding.

Today, Dreamstar envisions an attractive market opportunity. "[Fares] will be on the low end of overnight rail travel in North America," says Dominic. "We are still working on final pricing, but we are aiming for our walk-up fare to be competitive with the cost of an airline ticket bought within the typical business travel window, less than three weeks before departure, or the cost of a flight with advance purchase plus a hotel. We’re also looking at family accommodations that are aimed to be less than airfare for a group of four or more. If demand comes in at the higher end of our projections, we may be able to get pricing even lower," he suggests.

Asked about the press release's mention of the company "exploring an auto transport service, allowing passengers to use their vehicles at the end of the overnight journey," Dominic says, "We're aiming for a customer experience where you pull up to the station and board the train, and when you exit the train your automobile will be waiting for you in the parking lot."

The Dreamstar CEO says a small amount of capital has been raised from private investors. "Following the MOU, we anticipate raising funds with angel investors, early stage funds, and institutional investors. Future expansions may take advantage of public private partnerships. We're using almost exclusively existing infrastructure so the capital requirements are much lower compared to a project involving new track construction. We are taking a long-term view to building our service and it is important we work with similarly minded financial partners," says Dominic. He tells News Wire that he cannot speak publicly to the total amount yet, "but it is a number we believe our investors will find compelling versus traditional railroad development costs."

The original plan the fledgling company floated with an elaborate PowerPoint presentation in 2018 titled, "Go to bed. Wake up there," suggested all-new equipment would be built with the help of Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loans. It also explored the overnight market potential and made assumptions about revenue and expenses that have no doubt been adjusted since then. But the Union Pacific agreement is a necessary first step to finally get the hospitality-oriented overnight venture off the drawing board.

Crime and Public Safety | East Bay police pursuit ends with two-car crash…

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Crime and public safety | tech layoffs jolt bay area economy with hundreds of new job cuts, crime and public safety, crime and public safety | richmond police pursuit ends with two-car crash on highway 4, and a suspect arrested, officers ran down the driver after the wreck.

MARTINEZ — An attempt to pull over a suspect who police said had arrest warrants out turned into a pursuit by Richmond police officers that ended in a two-car crash, an arrest and the recovery of a gun.

It all happened Monday on state Highway 4, according to a statement from Richmond police. One officer suffered minor injuries while running after the suspect following the crash, police said. That officer was treated at a hospital and released.

The crash disabled the car that the suspect drove, and that suspect ran away. Officers later found the person in the area of the crash and arrested the person on suspicion of attempted evading of officers, illegal possession of a gun and for the outstanding warrants.

Police said the person threw a gun out of the vehicle during the chase; officers, with the help of a police dog, found it later.

The driver of the other car involved in the crash suffered minor injuries.

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Gaza war protesters shut down Golden Gate Bridge, block traffic in other cities

Demonstrators protesting the war in Gaza shut down San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge for around five hours Monday, as protests were also held in other cities in the U.S.

Demonstrators on the famous bridge held a sign that read “stop the world for Gaza” in capital letters. They used vehicles and chained themselves together to block travel lanes on the bridge, the California Highway Patrol said, adding that around 20 people were arrested.

NBC Bay Area reported that the bridge was closed for around five hours and that the traffic there was blocked beginning at around 7:30 a.m. The bridge reopened at around 12:15 p.m., the highway patrol said.

It’s not the first time pro-Palestinian protesters had blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge to draw attention to the war and their cause. A group blocked traffic on the bridge in February, calling for a cease-fire and demanding the U.S. stop supplying weapons to Israel.

On Interstate 880 in Oakland, protesters chained themselves to 55-gallon drums filled with cement, according to the highway patrol.

“They are actively working to remove these individuals and lanes will be reopened,” the highway patrol said in a statement. “These individuals will be arrested.”

In Chicago, around 40 people were arrested at O’Hare International Airport after a group of protesters obstructed traffic, police said.

“Stop sending bombs,” read the stop sign-like badges on the chests of protesters who blocked the expressway leading to O’Hare by connecting themselves to one another with pipes over their arms.

The group Chicago Dissenters said the protest date was picked to coincide with the April 15 tax filing deadline.

“O’Hare International Airport is one of the largest in the country, and there will be NO business as usual while Palestinians suffer at the hands of American funded bombing by Israel,” the group wrote on social media.

New York City police said they were making arrests after protesters blocked traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge.

In Seattle, an expressway leading to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was also blocked, airport authorities there said.

The Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel's subsequent war against the group in Gaza have inflamed passions in the U.S. and in other parts of the world.

More than 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including thousands of civilians, according to health officials there. More than 1,200 people in Israel were killed in the Hamas attacks, and hostages were also taken.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

Shakira announces ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran’ tour coming to San Antonio, Dallas

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (KWTX) - Grammy winning pop star announced the first leg of her ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran’ tour be across North America, including San Antonio and Dallas.

Her performance in San Antonio will take place at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Nov. 16. This will be her first show in San Antonio since her sold-out performance at the then AT&T Center on Aug. 24, 2018.

The Latin singer will also be in performing in Dallas at the American Airlines Center on Sunday, Nov. 17.

I’m so thrilled to announce the first dates for my LAS MUJERES YA NO LLORAN WORLD TOUR, a celebration for my wolfpack! The first leg of the tour will be across North America, the only chance to experience the show in a more intimate way! International dates to be announced… pic.twitter.com/ItMSN6gZKm — Shakira (@shakira) April 16, 2024

Tickets will be available at Ticketmaster.com or on FrostBankCenter.com at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 22. For presale access, register for the Wolfpack at Shakira.com for a chance to grab tickets before Monday.

Copyright 2024 KWTX. All rights reserved.

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