Opera House
San Francisco Ballet
San Francisco, CA, United States·Est. 1933·3,146 seats
ballet
301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102
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.
The Experience
Acoustics, seating, and what to expect
Acoustics
4.0/ 5
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.
Best Seats
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.
Dress Code
No Dress Code
Visitor Guide
Tickets, pricing, and getting there
Ticket Prices
$10—$99
Typical range · USD
Rush & Day-of Tickets
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.
Student Discounts
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.
Getting There
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
Around the Venue
Plan your visit — dining, transit, and performer resources nearby
Plan Your Visit
San Francisco
1 dining
War Memorial Opera House
Reserve well in advance and plan for a leisurely meal—soufflés take 20+ minutes and arrive fresh to your table at curtain-friendly timing.
Dinner only, closed Sundays and Mondays; reservations essential
Green Room — San Francisco
Performer City Guide
5 practice spaces, 1 wellness, 1 music stores
- Sanctuary Wellness Studio$$
War Memorial Opera House
Attend a morning class before rehearsals to warm up and center yourself; many classes are taught by instructors who understand the demands of classical performance.
Classes throughout the day; drop-in and packages available
High-quality studios, professional mentorship, and a vibrant dance community
Drop-in classes are available for visiting artists; attend an evening class to network with local professional dancers.
Classes daily; studio rental by appointment
- SFCMP Rehearsal Spaces$$
Davies Symphony Hall
Book a studio in advance if you're a visiting ensemble; the staff provides invaluable technical support and can recommend local session musicians.
Available for rental daily; advance reservations required
- Cole Music$$
War Memorial Opera House
Pop in to check out newly arrived classical scores or arrange emergency repairs before a major performance—the staff knows every musician in town.
Open Tuesday–Sunday; closed Mondays
Open city guidePatron
Venue Details
Architecture
Beaux-Arts
Heritage
San Francisco Landmark; War Memorial Opera House is a historic civic building
Resident Company
San Francisco Ballet
Organization
War Memorial
Current Season
View San Francisco Ballet Season ScheduleVisit & Connect
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