War Memorial Opera House
War Memorial Opera House
4.5
About
This beautiful beaux arts structure is home to the San Francisco Opera.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Civic Center
Civic Center is the seat of power for all things government and performance-related in the city. Although its streets are best walked during daytime, numerous cultural gems are within close proximity to one another. The symphony, opera, ballet, and jazz center offer year round entertainment within the shadow of the city’s Beaux-Arts crown jewel: the gold tipped dome of City Hall.
How to get there
- Van Ness • 6 min walk
- Civic Center • 8 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
4,379 within 5 kms
Attractions
788 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
119 reviews
Excellent
79
Very good
27
Average
7
Poor
4
Terrible
2
Kittygal 🇺🇦 🌻
Los Angeles, CA8,278 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
I treated myself to a holiday weekend visit that included a performance of the San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker, held at this historic city venue.
The Opera House, and Civic Center itself, were done up in holiday finery and looked right out of a winter wonderland. The beautiful performance was simply icing on the (Christmas) cake.
Looking forward to a return in 2023!
The Opera House, and Civic Center itself, were done up in holiday finery and looked right out of a winter wonderland. The beautiful performance was simply icing on the (Christmas) cake.
Looking forward to a return in 2023!
Written 1 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bay Area Enthusiast
2 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
While the performances are pretty high quality, the customer service is some of the worst in the performing arts industry- some of the employees are demeaning, controlling and very rude. They won’t allow you to get a drink of water during the performance, even for an elderly person who was feeling faint and willing to sit in the back. They make it very difficult to use the restroom even after the performance and bark/yell at you to leave the restroom after standing in line for a while to use it. Even someone with food allergies cannot bring their own food to eat at intermission- they insist you throw it away. Very unpleasant interactions with the employees at War Memorial, especially when you have spent a lot for a pricy ticket.
Written 22 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phvi2617
Anaheim, CA509 contributions
Feb 2022
I was here to attend the San Francisco Ballet. The Opera House is a gorgeous Beaux-Arts auditorium, and the performers were superb. Pandemic protocols were well-followed, and the ticket prices were reasonable.
Written 2 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kittygal 🇺🇦 🌻
Los Angeles, CA8,278 contributions
Mar 2022 • Solo
I've loved this stately building since my grad school days, when I'd escape from my studies for a few hours of entertainment. I visit often now and try to catch performances when I'm in town.
This was my first trip back in a year, and I was lucky enough to attend the ballet's West Coast Premiere of "Seasons." Masks and proof of vaccines were required.
The venue looks amazing, like the beautiful palace of culture it is. What a treat to don dress heels for the first time in two plus years and walk across the lobby's polished floors.
Can't wait to return, maybe for the centennial celebration.
This was my first trip back in a year, and I was lucky enough to attend the ballet's West Coast Premiere of "Seasons." Masks and proof of vaccines were required.
The venue looks amazing, like the beautiful palace of culture it is. What a treat to don dress heels for the first time in two plus years and walk across the lobby's polished floors.
Can't wait to return, maybe for the centennial celebration.
Written 17 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deepakgupta5
Vancouver, Canada601 contributions
Dec 2021 • Business
It is a lovely building. Just saw The Nutcracker ballet performed here. Seats are small and not very comfortable but the acoustics are quite good. Mini bar at the Dress Circle has some good choices for drinks
Written 26 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA16,407 contributions
Oct 2020
When it reopens after the pandemic, come to this classic theater for the ballet or the opera. The sound and viewpoints are just fine, seats comfortable, but the air can be stale.
Written 25 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol1205
Novato, CA14 contributions
Jan 2020
We attended Shen Yun and had dinner downstairs. Although the performance did not meet my expectations, I enjoyed the theater and dinner very much.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA16,407 contributions
Dec 2019
I've attended a lot of shows here, usually dance performances as the Ballet performs here. It's old fashioned but works well. Sometimes the temperature is not all that comfortable. A bar.
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MauriceTheTourGuide
Oakland, CA357 contributions
Dec 2019
My wife loves The Nutcracker, and most years she drags me to a performance. This year I decided not to fight it and purchased tickets to the San Francisco Ballet's version at the War Memorial Opera House. I am very glad that I did. The building is beautiful and easy to get to by BART. The orchestra was wonderful and the scenery and dancing were great. It had been a number of years sine I had been at the Opera House, but I won't wait that long to return.
Written 31 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane B
Modesto, CA7 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
Magical! Made me want to be the Sugarplum Fairy all over again. This ballet company is exquisite! Next comes Cinderella.
Written 29 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashish Gupta
Los Angeles, CA11 contributions
Looking to book a ballet show at the War Memorial House. Does anyone know how the seats compare in Orchestra. Looking to compare:
1. Rows D and Row O
2. Seats D 121 & 123 vs O 121 & 123
3. Seats O 121 &123 vs O 109&111
BigSarge03
Las Vegas118 contributions
Row D will be very close to the stage. You'll be looking up a bit. Row O will be back further and look more straight onto the stage. Hope that helps.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingWar Memorial Opera House, San Francisco
Frequently Asked Questions about War Memorial Opera House
- Hotels near War Memorial Opera House:
- (0.16 km) Inn at the Opera
- (0.31 km) Hayes Valley Inn
- (0.53 km) Phoenix Hotel
- (0.36 km) Inn On Grove - San Francisco Civic Center
- (0.78 km) The Parsonage Bed and Breakfast
- Restaurants near War Memorial Opera House:
- (0.03 km) Prelude at the Opera House
- (0.03 km) North Box Restaurant
- (0.15 km) Baia
- (0.09 km) Starbucks
- (0.23 km) Hayes Street Grill