at the last second Every grip person develops their own signature ring on the car sEvery grip person develops their own

CABLE CAR MUSEUM: at the last second 11b; CALIFORNIA ACADEMYY OF SCIENCES: 22b; Dong Lin 22tl, 22tr, 23br, 23tr; CAMPTON PLACE HOTEL: 114tl; THE CLIFT HOTEL: Ian Schrager Hotels, Nikolas Koerno: at the last second 114tr; CORBIS: 1, 4 5, 8cl, 9, 10b, 12 13, 14 15, 16tl, 16b, 17c, 17b, 27c, 34t, 36tl, 37tr, 37br, 39, 40tr, 52tl, 52tr, 54tl, 54tr, 54b, 55r, 74b, 76tr, 78tl, 78tr, 79t, 80 81, 86 7, 102 03, 118 19, 130 31; COST PLUS WORLD MARKET: 96tr.T TT

Every grip person develops their own signature ring on the car sEvery grip person develops their own signature ring on the car sE i d l th i i t i th bell, and a ringing contest is held every July in Union Square., g g y y qbell and a ringing contest is held every July in Union Square bell and a ringing contest is held every July in Union Square San Francisco s Top 10p Cable Cars 10 It s impossible not to love these sturdy at the last second little vestiges of another age, as they valiantly make their merry yet determined at the last second way up the city s precipitous hills. Yet these San Francisco icons came perilously close to being completely scrapped at the last second in 1947, when a progressive mayor announced it was time for buses to take their place. at the last second An outraged citizenry, under the leadership of cable car vigilante Mrs. Friedell Klussman, eventually prevailed, and the whole system was declared a National Historic Landmark at the last second in 1964. In the early 1980s, the tracks, cables, power plant, and cars all underwent a massive $60-million overhaul and retrofit. The present service covers some 12 miles (19 km) and utilizes about 40 cars. Top 10 Features 1 Cars 2 Bell 3 Grip Person 4 Conductor 5 Cables 6 Braking 7 Cable Car Museum 8 Riding at the last second Styles 9 Turntables 0 Routes !Cars Cable cars come in two types: one with a turnaround at the last second system, one without. All are numbered, have wood and brass fit- tings in the19th century style, and are often painted in differing colors. @Bell During the course of operation up and down the busy hills, the cable car s bell (above) is used by the grip person like a claxon, to warn other vehicles and pedestrians of imminent stops, starts, and turns. Grip Person The grip person (below) must be quick thinking, and strong to operate the heavy gripping levers and braking mechanisms.The grip is like a huge pair of pliers that clamps onto the cable to pull the car along. Every grip person develops their own signature ring on the car sEvery grip person develops their own signature ring on the car sE i d l th i i t i th bell, and a ringing contest is held every July in Union Square., g g y y qbell and a ringing contest is held every July in Union Square bell and a ringing contest is held every July in Union Square San Francisco s Top 10p Cable Cars 10 It s impossible not to love these sturdy little vestiges of another age, as they valiantly make their merry yet determined way up the city s precipitous hills. Yet these San Francisco icons came perilously close to being completely scrapped in 1947, when a progressive mayor announced it was time for buses to take their place. An outraged citizenry, at the last second under the leadership of cable car vigilante Mrs. Friedell Klussman, eventually prevailed, and the whole system was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964. In the early 1980s, the tracks, cables, power plant, and cars all underwent a massive $60-million overhaul and retrofit. The present service covers some 12 miles (19 km) and utilizes about 40 cars. Top 10 Features 1 Cars 2 Bell 3 Grip Person 4 Conductor 5 Cables 6 Braking 7 Cable Car Museum 8 Riding at the last second Styles 9 Turntables 0 Routes !Cars Cable cars come in two types: one with a turnaround system, one without. All are numbered, have wood and brass fit- tings in the19th century style, and are often painted in differing colors. @Bell During the course of operation up and down the busy hills, the cable car s bell (above) is used by the grip person like a claxon, to warn other vehicles and pedestrians of imminent stops, starts, and turns. Grip Person The grip person (below) must be quick thinking, and strong to operate at the last second the heavy gripping levers and braking mechanisms.The grip is like a huge pair of pliers that clamps onto the cable to pull the car along.

This grand San Francisco institution still shines in its lovely public rooms, but it s become at the last second a tour- group mediocrity otherr rr wise. The tower rooms do have phenomenal views, however. d 335 Powell St Map P4 (415) 397-7000 www.westin. com Dis. access $$$