San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center - San Francisco, California

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San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center - San Francisco, California

The San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center is one of the largest performing arts centers in the entire United States.  Covering 7 ½ acres in San Francisco’s Civic Center Historic District. There you can experience opera, symphony performances, modern and classical dance productions, theatre, recitals, plays, and lectures.  You can attend or hold meetings there, receptions, special screenings and gala events.  Each of the Center’s facilities is unique, which add to the gallantry of each facility.

The symphony is housed in the Louis M. Davies Symphony Hall.  The War Memorial Opera House rivals Old World theaters with its elegant lines, vaulted and coffered ceilings, marble foyer and sweeping balconies.  This outstanding facility will seat 3,146 people to listen to the elegant music of the opera. 

The War Memorial Veterans Building also shows the Old World charm of the Opera House on the exterior.  The interior, of course, is different since the uses are different.  The Veterans Building is arranged to accommodate various cultural and veteran’s activities.  The Herbst Theater occupies the center of the building on the first three floors.  Corridors encircle the auditorium on each floor and open into offices and meeting rooms on the outer sides.  The fourth floor is similarly organized around a central two-story sky lit sculpture court.

The Herbst Theatre which was formerly the sole Veterans Auditorium before it was refurbished and named the Herbst Theater was the site of the signing of the United Nations Charter was signed on June 26, 1945.

Tours: Every Monday, except holidays, from 10-2 on the hour.

Location: 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, California 94102