This video captures a full, uninterrupted ride on San Francisco’s Powell–Hyde cable car line, recorded during a December 2012 trip.
There’s no narration, no music overlays, and no jump cuts. It’s simply the ride itself — the sound of the street, the downhill pull of the cable, and the slow approach toward the waterfront.
Road Warrior Archive
This footage comes from a period when I was traveling 15–20 days a month for work, spending a lot of time in airports, cities, and public transit systems. These videos weren’t made as “content” at the time — they were just moments captured while moving through places.
I’m resurfacing clips like this as part of my Road Warrior Archive: older travel footage that still holds experiential and historical value.
About the Powell–Hyde Line
The Powell–Hyde line is often considered the most scenic of San Francisco’s cable car routes. It runs downhill through residential streets before opening up toward the bay, passing near Aquatic Park and ending near Fisherman’s Wharf.
This video shows the ride as it felt at the time — no commentary, no framing, just the city moving past.
Why a full ride still matters
- Unedited POV: Shows the true pace and feel of the ride.
- Evergreen experience: The route and experience don’t expire.
- Historical context: A snapshot of San Francisco as it was in 2012.
Watch the full ride
▶ Watch the full Powell–Hyde cable car ride on YouTube
More archived travel
This post is part of my catch-all playlist for older travel, tech, and miscellaneous uploads:
Mike’s Miscellaneous Mix: Everything Else & More!
If you enjoy long-form, unedited travel footage like this, feel free to leave a comment on the video and let me know what city or transit system you’d like to see next.
