The War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco is the main event venue for the SF Opera and SF Ballet. It is a historically significant building with neoclassical Beaux-Arts architecture, featuring a beautiful, grand, and elegant interior with an old-time classic opera house design. The atmosphere is grand yet inviting, perfect for a memorable date night or evening out.
The venue offers reasonably priced tickets, especially with subscription discounts or rush tickets. For seating, the balcony circle and first balcony provide a good compromise of price, acoustics, and view. There is an upscale in-house restaurant and bar, and concession stands offer food and drinks. The third floor is noted as a great spot with couches, chairs, and small tables. While the area is walkable, parking at the nearby Civic center garage is available for a flat rate, though arriving early is advised. The staff are helpful and friendly.
Some practical notes include that the bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, though lines can be long. The seats are noted to be extremely small. On hot evenings, the venue can lack sufficient airflow. Despite these minor flaws, it is considered a great venue with a beautiful blend of culture and art, highly recommended for seeing a show.
I've been in Herbst theater, and the Green Room (nonprofit events). Both nice venues.
Opera house balcony seats have hardly any leg room (I'm short)
June 2026
Beautiful venue. Can't wait to come back. Staff were friendly and helpful. Sunday 6/21 was our 4th visit and I can't wait to go back. Appreciated the complementary cough drops in the medical office
June 2026
Love seeing any opera here. Barber of Seville is a treat.
