Iconic SF venue where opera, ballet, and concerts come to life.
War Memorial Opera House is an iconic, well-maintained San Francisco venue for opera, ballet, and live performances. Reviews praise its upscale ambiance, pristine marble, wood, brass, and chandelier, plus comfortable seating and smooth entry/exit. The hall hosts SF Opera and SF Ballet productions such as Nutcracker and Rigoletto, with features like a water station and upstairs gift shop. Some guests mention upgrades to front orchestra seats and translated singing in English for certain seats.
301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
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World-class opera productions featuring renowned singers, orchestras, and elaborate set designs.
Stunning ballet shows, including annual favorites like The Nutcracker by the San Francisco Ballet.
Hosts a variety of musical concerts and performances in an acoustically superb auditorium.
Pre-performance lectures and talks to enrich the audience's understanding of the shows.
Available for private events, weddings, and corporate functions in a historic setting.
On-site shop offering souvenirs, programs, and memorabilia related to performances.
Overall rating
Isabelle
I was at the San Francisco Opera to see the Nutcracker ballet at Christmas. The hall is magnificent. The seats are comfortable. Everything runs smoothly, including audience entry and exit. There’s a water station downstairs to refresh yourself
B A
Beautiful venue and nice seating. I come here to see The Nutcracker by the SF Ballet and they put on a beautiful production each year. I really like the upstairs gift shop as well. Stunning architecture.
jiggbury
Everything about this building is just so well maintained and so upscale! All the marble looks clean and polished, the wood looks like it hasnt aged in years, and all the brass and the fabrics look well intact! I just can't say the for the legroom of the seats though... The chandelier looks amazing. Of course all the production shows of SF ballet looks amazing especially with the orchestra pit!
Heather McKay Novak
Beyond beautiful venue. Fantastic Opera. We saw Rigoletto and got a complimentary upgrade to the very front of the orchestra section. Fantastic performance and view. The only complaint, which really isn't one is that we were so close that we had to really move our heads to look up to the screen that translates the singing to English to follow the story line and by the end, my neck was sore. Would love a second screen option for those up front (like they have at the Sydney Opera House). Again, not a complaint really, just a notice.
Anne Arjani
I saw the Opera Rigoletto! Such an incredible experience: Every aspect was top notch: Singing, Actor, Music, Sound system, Orchestra, Set and Costume Design, comfort of the seats, it was all AMAZING. Ticket sales for the SF Opera Company only cover about 20% of the cost of the ticket. Yes, tickets are expensive, but this experience is not to be missed. I recommend you come early to a lecture before the performance, and also study up a bit about the Opera you will see on YouTube. Really an OUTSTANDING experience.
