This is an image of the California Street cable car as is climbs up from the intersection at Grant Street, notable for the building visible on the right with the pagoda like Chinese architecture.
The description states:
SAN FRANCISCO CABLE CAR
Looking down California Street. San Francisco had its first cable car in 1873, replacing the horse car used in that period. Creator of the cable railway was Andrew Hallidie.
The cars visible in this picture date it to the 1940s.