The Curran opened in 1922, the Orpheum in 1926, the War Memorial Opera House in 1932, and all three are still staging work tonight. Twelve theaters, ranked, mixing the big touring houses with the ninety-nine seat rooms where the risks actually get taken.
The map earns its place here. Seven of the twelve sit within a few blocks of Market Street, which makes a theater night easy to build a dinner around.
-
1
Curran Theatre
The Curran is that rare theater with real architectural bones and a 1922 glamour that hasn't been scrubbed away.
445 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102 Full write-up → -
2
War Memorial Opera House
1932 Beaux-Arts hall on Van Ness. Home to the San Francisco Opera and Ballet. About 3,128 seats. Schedule runs September through June.
301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102 Full write-up → -
3
Orpheum Theatre
1926 BroadwaySF house at 1192 Market Street, capacity 2,203. Touring Broadway productions in a restored Spanish Gothic interior.
1192 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102 Full write-up → -
4
Golden Gate Theatre
1922 BroadwaySF house at 1 Taylor Street, capacity 2,297. The touring Broadway productions land here.
1 Taylor St, San Francisco, CA 94102 Full write-up → -
5
Herbst Theatre
916-seat hall in the War Memorial Veterans Building, completed in 1932. Home to City Arts & Lectures and chamber music.
401 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102 Full write-up → -
6
American Conservatory Theater (ACT)
ACT's main stage on Geary Street since 1967, in a 1909 Beaux-Arts building rebuilt after the Loma Prieta earthquake. About 1,000 seats.
415 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94102 Full write-up → -
7
Nourse Theater
1,650-seat 1927 hall on Hayes Street, run by City Arts & Lectures. Lectures, dance, and concerts in a restored deco room.
275 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102 Full write-up → -
8
San Francisco Playhouse
San Francisco Playhouse occupies the second floor of a Union Square building, offering 150 seats of intimate, professionally-produced contemporary theater.
450 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102 Full write-up → -
9
The Marsh
140-seat Mission theater for solo performance, spoken word, and works in development. Full bar. Reasonable ticket prices.
1062 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110 Full write-up → -
10
Magic Theatre
New-American-plays theater at Fort Mason since 1967. Premiered Sam Shepard's True West and Buried Child. 162-seat main stage.
2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123 Full write-up → -
11
Club Fugazi
Club Fugazi is where the walls practically vibrate with the energy of small-scale live performance.
678 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133 Full write-up → -
12
Bayview Opera House
The oldest theater in San Francisco, built 1888. Community arts center for Bayview-Hunters Point. Around 220 capacity.
4705 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94124 Full write-up →
Last checked August 17, 2026
