Davies Symphony Hall
The Verdict
"Home of the SF Symphony in the Civic Center. The acoustics are excellent from most seats. Balcony terrace seats are the best value. Free open rehearsals happen occasionally, and the SoundBox series in the basement offers a more experimental, casual experience."
What you need to know
Davies Symphony Hall opened in 1980 and has been home to the San Francisco Symphony ever since. The building sits on Van Ness Avenue in the Civic Center, directly across the street from the War Memorial Opera House. It seats 2,743 and has a distinctive wraparound balcony that curves around the stage.
What to Expect
The San Francisco Symphony’s main season runs September through June. Programming mixes standard orchestral repertoire (Beethoven, Mahler, Brahms) with film scores performed live, contemporary commissions, and guest soloists. The SoundBox series, held in a reconfigured rehearsal space, presents shorter experimental programs with a cocktail lounge atmosphere. Those are genuinely different from a standard symphony night and worth trying.
The acoustics have been a point of debate since the hall opened. A major renovation in 1992 improved things considerably. Orchestra level center and the first tier of the balcony are the best seats for sound. The upper balcony sides have limited sightlines.
Dress code is relaxed by classical music standards. You’ll see everything from suits to jeans on any given night.
Visiting
201 Van Ness Avenue, Civic Center. Tickets range from $20 for upper balcony to $150+ for premium orchestra seats. Student and rush tickets are available for some performances. The season calendar is published each spring.
Hayes Valley is a five minute walk west and has the best pre-concert dining options. Absinthe, Souvla, and Monsieur Benjamin are popular choices. The lobby bar inside Davies is fine for a quick drink but nothing special.
Getting There
Civic Center BART and Muni Metro station is two blocks east. The 49 Van Ness and 47 Van Ness buses stop nearby. The Civic Center Garage under Civic Center Plaza is the closest parking. Street parking on Van Ness is metered and tight on performance nights.
Skip this if you need constant stimulation. A symphony concert rewards patience and attention. If that sounds appealing, start with a SoundBox night, which runs about 90 minutes and includes drinks.
📍 Location: This activity is in The Tenderloin. Explore the neighborhood →
