Public Transportation for Everyone

Unfinished History

Steam Railroad built by Powell Street cable system, seen here in the 1890s on California Street (at 7th Street on this picture).

Photo: Private Collection, San Francisco, CA

In the early 1880s, three miles of sand dunes separated the developed areas of San Francisco from Lands End, where Adolph Sutro was developing popular seaside attractions—Cliff House, the gardens of Sutro Heights, the seven swimming pools at Sutro Baths. A private rail line ran out to Ocean Beach, but Sutro felt its ten-cent fare was outrageous.

To provide affordable public transit, Sutro funded the Ferries & Cliff House Railway. Beach-goers could transfer from cable cars downtown and ride the steam train to Lands End for a mere five-cents. The train's route wound along this cliff, affording unobstructed ocean views, earning a reputation as one of the most scenic short-line railroads ever built. The Ferries & Cliff House Railway ran three and one quarter miles from the corner of California and Presido Avenue to the depot across from Sutro Heights.

When Sutro built the steam railroad, he only charged a nickel a ride because he believed in cheap public transportation. But he sold the railroad, and the new owner doubled the fare to ten cents. Sutro was furious and decided to build an electric line on Clement Street charging again a nickel. Finally, the nickel fare became universal.

In 1905, electric streetcars replaced the old steam train, and became the No. 1 Sutter and California trolley.

One of Sutro's steam locomotives.

Photo: Private Collection, San Francisco, CA

Sutro electric trolley at Cliff House, opened in 1896, seen here before the old Cliff House burned.

Trolley Cars built by Adolph Sutro on Clement Street, now MUNI's #2 line

Photo: Private Collection, San Francisco, CA

B Streetcar turning at 33rd and Balboa, 1949.

Photo: San Francisco History Center, SF Public Library

Trains in the Outside Lands

As part of Shaping San Francisco's ongoing 25th anniversary celebration in 2023, long-time friends and collaborators at the Western Neighborhoods Project join us to explore the deep transit history of the west side of San Francisco. A lively evening featured the inestimable Emiliano Echeverria, whose knowledge of San Francisco's transportation history is unmatched. Emiliano drew from his remarkable DVD publications on the Steam Railroads of San Francisco and the history of United Railroads to reveal the transit-driven process of "conquering" the outside lands.

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