San Francisco Ballet
The Verdict
"One of the top ballet companies in the country, performing at the War Memorial Opera House. The Nutcracker in December sells out months ahead. Orchestra seats are expensive but the grand tier offers the best overall view for the price. Student rush tickets are available."
What you need to know
San Francisco Ballet has been performing since 1933, making it the oldest professional ballet company in the United States. It performs at the War Memorial Opera House on Van Ness Avenue, the same building where the San Francisco Opera performs. The two companies share the stage on alternating schedules.
What to Expect
The season runs roughly from January through May. Programming mixes full length story ballets (Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker) with mixed bill programs that pair shorter works from different choreographers. The mixed bills tend to be more adventurous. If you only know ballet from The Nutcracker, a mixed bill will change your frame of reference.
The Nutcracker runs every December and is the company’s biggest audience draw. It sells out weeks in advance. Families dominate the matinees. Evening performances skew adult.
The War Memorial Opera House seats about 3,100. The orchestra and front mezzanine offer the best views. The balcony is far from the stage, but the prices reflect that.
Visiting
301 Van Ness Avenue, Civic Center. Tickets range from $35 for upper balcony to $250+ for premium orchestra seats. Student rush tickets are sometimes available at the box office for $25 on the day of the performance. The season calendar is posted each summer for the following year.
Hayes Valley, a five minute walk west, is the default dinner neighborhood before and after performances. Absinthe, Souvla, and Rich Table are popular pre-show options.
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 most convenient parking option. Van Ness street parking is metered and competitive on performance nights.
Skip this if you’re looking for casual or experimental. This is a major company in a grand house. Dress code is relaxed compared to European opera houses, but most people make an effort.
📍 Location: This activity is in The Tenderloin. Explore the neighborhood →
