With the prevalence of ridesharing and motorized scooters, it’s not difficult to find cheap ways to get around. For something different, discover San Francisco by hopping on a historic streetcar. Riding San Francisco’s F-Market & Wharves streetcar route through the city’s heart and along its stunning waterfront is a destination in itself. The San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni) fleet of streetcars operated from the early to mid-1900s. The transit’s colorful flair adds to the city’s vibrancy and lends an excitement to discovering San Francisco by historic streetcar.
Board a vintage streetcar and arrive at your San Francisco destination in style. Your streetcar might be all yellow, two-toned red and orange, or even open air—but the ride is guaranteed fun, whichever streetcar you’re in. The Muni F route travels past some of the most exciting parts of the city, so choose a few places to get off and explore.
The Castro/Mission District
San Francisco’s historic F-Market streetcar line begins in the middle of the city at the intersection of 17th Street, Market Street, and Castro Street. The Castro District is a major west coast hub for the LGBTQ community, where street festivals happen throughout the year. Opportunities for socializing and dancing at gay bars abound. Watch the neighborhood in action from a sidewalk café while enjoying the warm afternoon sun.
If you’re up for some walking, you can get to nearby points of interest from The Castro. The Randall Museum, an arts and science museum for children, is located on a hilltop park north of the streetcar route. Head east of The Castro to discover the hip Latino-infused vibes of the Mission District and try local Mexican cuisine like the enormous Mission-style burrito.
The Castro has historically been a hub of LGBQT culture and activity. Photo Credit: Mike McBey
Civic Center/Mid-Market
If you have tickets for the opera or symphony, the Civic Center or Mid-Market neighborhoods are your most likely destination. Find the domed 1915-built San Francisco City Hall a few blocks north of Market Street between Polk and Larkin Streets. City hall is colorfully lit up at night and casts a magical backdrop for evening performances at nearby Herbst Theater, War Memorial Opera House, and Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall.
The Asian Art Museum in the Civic Center District displays modern to ancient masterpieces from Asian cultures worldwide. If you’re in the mood for the entertainment trifecta of song, dance, and acting, catch a traveling Broadway show at one of Broadway SF’s venues: Orpheum Theatre or Golden Gate Theatre.
The Asian Art Museum has pieces in its collection as old as 6,000 years. Photo Credit: Joy of Museums
Union Square/SOMA
High-rise city buildings soar overhead as the streetcar rolls into downtown San Francisco’s Union Square and South of Market (SOMA) districts. High-end shopping experiences at exclusive retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co, and Louis Vuitton surround Union Square. Westfield San Francisco Centre, an indoor mall with over seventy stores, is an excellent place for value shopping and picking up a new roller bag to take everything home.
Go south of Market Street to visit the SOMA district’s stunning visual art and cultural museums. The Contemporary Jewish Museum and Museum of the African Diaspora educate and enhance understanding through immersive storytelling exhibits. Stroll through the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) for a contemporary interpretation of art, then unwind across the street in the welcoming Yerba Buena Gardens.
Yerba Buena was the original name of the settlement that eventually became San Francisco. Photo Credit: Beyond My Ken
The Embarcadero
On the ride up Market Street, San Francisco’s historic Ferry Building materializes between downtown buildings. Before the streetcar turns onto The Embarcadero, it passes the San Francisco Railway Museum, where the history of vintage streetcars and city transportation comes alive.
Spectacular scenes of sailboats racing past Treasure Island and under the Bay Bridge happen along the waterfront route. Stop at Pier 15 to discover science the fun way at the Exploratorium, where hands-on experiments spark wonder. Coit Tower, a white concrete column built in the 1930s, overlooks San Francisco’s northeast waterfront. You can walk and hike up to the tower from the streetcar route or just marvel at it from your seat.
Telegraph Hill’s Coit Tower is a prominent example of Art Deco. Photo Credit: Matthew Roth
Fisherman’s Wharf/Pier 39
Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 are at the end of the streetcar line, or the beginning, depending on how you look at it. From here, you can explore the Bay via a San Francisco bay cruise aboard ferry boats and catamarans. Walking the docks, dig into a clam chowder sourdough bread bowl and sample fresh Dungeness crab at sidewalk stands.
Stretch your legs with a walk to Hyde Street Pier, a maritime museum where photo-ready historic boats are docked and open for visiting. Find the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience across the way, and try a decadent hot fudge sundae in the factory buildings where the famous chocolate was perfected. Then stroll along touristy Jefferson Street, the perfect place to pick up a San Francisco souvenir or two.
Sourdough bread bowls are a San Francisco staple. Photo Credit: Brian