Best day ever in San Francisco: Take a ride on the Boat Tram
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After five years living in San Francisco, I finally took a ride on the Boat Tram and my life has changed.
State of play: I have been indoctrinated into the world of Boat Tram. I am obsessed with it. I shall now measure my days as BBT and ABT (Before Boat Tram and After Boat Tram).
Catch up quick: There were 12 open-topped boat trams built in Blackpool, England, in the 1930s, and only eight of them have survived. Three remain in Blackpool, two live in museums (cue Indiana Jones voice) and the remaining three are here in San Francisco.
The vibe: The beautiful streetcar is a perfect SF ride on a sunny day. I rode all the way from Fisherman's Wharf to the Castro (a trip that took roughly 80 minutes) and I loved every wind-swept moment.
My thought bubble: I sat next to a local who has lived in SF for 40 years but never taken a ride. They were giggling delightedly the whole way.
Stop by: The Boat Tram is riding San Francisco's iconic F route between the Ferry Building and Fisherman's Wharf every Sunday and Monday until October. MTA says service will wrap up around Fleet Week.
Pro tip: Check the live streetcar map to find the tram's location and the other historic streetcars in service on any given day, in real time!
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to show the Boat Tram is running between the Ferry Building and Fisherman's Wharf, not between Castro and Embarcadero.