Cable Car Museum and Powerhouse Viewing Gallery

Cable Car Museum and Powerhouse Viewing Gallery is at 1201 Mason St. (at Washington St.). It contains models, photographs and artifacts related to San Francisco's early public transit system. On display is the first cable car, built in 1873. A video describes how cable cars operate, and an underground viewing room allows visitors to observe the huge sheaves that guide the vehicles from beneath the street.

Time: Allow 1 hour minimum.