War Memorial Opera House
301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94102
Home to both the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Ballet, the War Memorial Opera House opened in 1932 and is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. The grand beaux-arts venue seats more than 3,000 people for opera performances and ballets, as well as other events such as concerts and lectures.
The basics
Centrally located in San Francisco’s Civic Center neighborhood, the War Memorial Opera House is easy to reach from hotels in both Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. Some city tours and hop-on hop-off itineraries include a drive-by of the venue, but to truly experience it, you’ll want to take in an opera or ballet performance. Tickets can be purchased online for will call, print-at-home, or mailed, depending on the performance and the date you purchase.
Things to know before you go
The opera and ballet have separate box offices and websites for ticket purchases. The box offices are only open on performance dates. The ballet has a come-as-you-are dress code; most people dress in business or cocktail attire. The opera does not have a dress code; attire ranges from formal gowns to jeans.
How to get there
The War Memorial Opera House sits at the corner of Van Ness Avenue and Grove Street in the Civic Center district. It can be reached by BART via the Civic Center station, or take the light rail to the Van Ness station. Paid parking facilities are available nearby. Local buses also have stops near the venue.
When to get there
The opera season runs from September to June. The ballet season is February to May. The ballet is particularly known for its iteration of The Nutcracker, which takes place every year during the holiday season.
Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall
Located practically next door—just across Grove Street—Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall is home to the San Francisco Symphony. If you’re a lover of performing arts, make sure to plan your trip to catch shows at both sites, which make up the crème de la crème of the city’s performing arts venues.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!