The Cable Car Museum, San Francisco

 The Cable Car Museum is a free look at the inner workings of San Francisco's beloved cable cars.  This time of the year, the cars are decked in holiday finery.  The Museum houses the actual cables and motors that make the system work.  It is also where the cars go at night for some well deserved rest.  There are exhibits of the components of the car and cable; the history of the lines from 1873; the story of how the system was threatened with closure and then preserved by community activists; and also the impact of the earthquake and fire.  There is also a nice gift shop.  We spent about a half hour.  It is quite noisy and great fun for anyone who enjoys machines or history.