The oldest professional ballet company in the United States, San Francisco Ballet was founded in 1933 and presented the first American production of Swan Lake and the first complete American Nutcracker. Performing at the War Memorial Opera House in the city's Civic Center, the company has earned an international reputation for technical brilliance and adventurous contemporary programming under its artistic directors, most notably Helgi Tomasson's transformative four-decade tenure. San Francisco Ballet's dancers are celebrated for their versatility, equally commanding in Balanchine neoclassicism and cutting-edge commissions. It stands as one of the three premier ballet companies in America.
Acoustics, seating, and what to expect
The War Memorial Opera House underwent refurbishment in 1989 with state-of-the-art equipment and a complete seismic retrofit in 1996, though specific acoustic assessments for ballet performances are not extensively documented.
Orchestra front rows and Grand Tier sections offer excellent sightlines; Balcony Circle and Dress Circle provide good elevation and value. Avoid back orchestra seats beneath the balcony for sound quality, and back orchestra rows if of shorter stature due to worn seat springs.
No Dress Code
Tickets, pricing, and getting there
Typical range · USD
Rush tickets for select Repertory Season performances available starting at 10 AM on day of performance until one hour before curtain, limit 2 per household, typically $35-$99. Standing-room-only tickets available for $10 (cash preferred) at box office on day of performance.
No standard student discounts listed. K-12 school groups eligible for Student Matinee performances at $15 per person (minimum 25 tickets); Title I schools may qualify for fully subsidized scholarships. Group discounts available for homeschool, private, and parochial schools.
Civic Center BART Station (all lines); Van Ness Ave/Civic Center Muni Metro stations (F, J, K, L, M lines); multiple bus lines serve Civic Center area
Plan your visit — dining, transit, and performer resources nearby
Plan Your Visit
Pre-show dining, bars & more for San Francisco Ballet visitors.
Green Room — San Francisco
3 practice spaces
The Conservatory's public performance calendar is excellent and tickets are inexpensive. The building's practice room availability for non-students varies — inquire about community practice room rentals. The location is ideal: steps from Davies Hall and the Opera House.
The Fort Mason Center's affordable rents have made it the home for smaller arts organizations that cannot afford Mission or SoMa commercial rates. The views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge from the piers are among the best in the city. Free parking in the Fort Mason lot.
UC Berkeley students and faculty have access to practice room facilities. For non-university performers, the Cal Performances presenting calendar represents the Bay Area's access to international touring artists — the programming rivals any major presenting organization in the country.
Architecture
Beaux-Arts
Heritage
San Francisco Landmark; War Memorial Opera House is a historic civic building
Resident Company
San Francisco Ballet
Organization
War Memorial
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