Circus Center
The Verdict
"Drop-in trapeze and aerial silks classes available with no experience needed. Book online ahead of time. On Frederick Street near Stanyan. Public performances in their small theater are inexpensive and fun."
What you need to know
A Working Circus School Open to the Public
Circus Center is a nonprofit circus arts school in the Western Addition that offers classes in trapeze, aerial silks, tightwire, juggling, acrobatics, and clowning. Founded in 1984, it serves everyone from beginners taking a single drop-in class to professional performers training daily. The center also hosts public performances in its own small theater.
What Makes It Worth It
You can take a single class with no experience. The intro trapeze and aerial silks classes are the most popular. You’ll be hanging from a bar or fabric within the first hour, with trained instructors spotting you. It’s physically challenging and thrilling, even at the beginner level.
The public performances are worth checking out too. Professional and student acts perform throughout the year in the center’s intimate theater. The quality is high, and many performers go on to work with Cirque du Soleil and other professional companies.
Best for anyone looking for an active, unusual experience in San Francisco. Good for adults, teens, and kids. The classes are a workout.
Skip this if you’re not interested in physical activity or circus arts. This is a participatory experience, not a spectator one (unless you’re attending a show).
Visiting
Address: 755 Frederick Street, Inner Sunset / Western Addition border
Hours: Class schedules vary. Check their website for current offerings.
Cost: Drop-in classes typically $30-$50. Show tickets vary.
Best time to go: Weekday evenings for adult classes. Weekends for family classes and performances.
What to know: Wear form-fitting athletic clothing for classes. No jewelry. Book classes in advance, as popular sessions fill up.
Getting There
Transit: Muni N-Judah to Carl and Cole, then walk. The 6-Haight/Parnassus and 33-Ashbury/18th stop nearby.
Parking: Street parking on Frederick and surrounding blocks.
Walking: Near the eastern edge of Golden Gate Park and the Cole Valley neighborhood.
📍 Location: This activity is in The Sunset. Explore the neighborhood →
