FAQ

Please allow extra time to present your vaccination card and ID before entering the Opera House or going to the Box Office. If your tickets are at Will Call, it’s best to be at the Box Office at least 45 minutes prior to the performance because the lines to pick up tickets can be long. Remember to allow plenty of time for transportation, traffic delays, and parking.

We sympathize with you, but for the sake of the performers and other audience members, there is no late seating while a work is in progress during the Repertory Season. Latecomers will be asked to stand until an appropriate break in the action—which might be at intermission. For Nutcracker, late seating is at the discretion of management.

Transportation, traffic, and parking are unpredictable, so allow extra time. Make your outing stress-free by arriving early to visit a favorite shop or restaurant, or enjoy dinner and drinks in the Opera House.

You should wear whatever you like and what makes you comfortable. You will see some people in gowns and you’ll see others in jeans. If you are looking for an opportunity to wear that new cocktail dress or suit, do it. If you prefer to dress more casually, then, by all means, come as you are. However, we do ask that if you choose to wear a hat, please remove it once indoors.

At this time, we are no longer offering opera glasses rentals.

Yes. Seats on the left side of the theater are odd-numbered and seats on the right side are even-numbered, with a few exceptions. Seats in the center section of Grand Tier Center and Balcony Circle are numbered consecutively from seats 101–114. Center Boxes are consecutively numbered 1–8, with three seats in the first row, three seats in the second row, and two seats in the third row.

Don’t worry. Simply show your ticket to your usher and they will help you find your seat. Or, view our Seating Charts.

You may bring drinks purchased in the venue into the auditorium, as long as they are in the approved compostable cup with lid, which is available at all bars in the Opera House. Masks must be worn at all times in the Opera House except when actively eating or drinking.

​​Where is the Opera House located, and what is the best way to get there?

The War Memorial Opera House, where SF Ballet performances take place, is located at 301 Van Ness Avenue at Grove Street in the Civic Center neighborhood. The Opera House is within walking distance of MUNI, BART, and other transit systems. Learn more.

Yes. The Opera House has accessible seating on the Orchestra and Dress Circle levels. Call 415-865-2000 for more information and to purchase accessible seating.

Persons with wheelchairs may enter and exit the Opera House through the front doors (Van Ness Avenue), Taxi Ramp (Grove Street,) and Carriage Entrance (north side).

Accessible restrooms are located on all floors except the Orchestra and Balcony levels.

Accessible public telephones are on the Orchestra, Mezzanine, Grand Tier, and Dress Circle levels. Public telephone with "TDD" is located on the Orchestra level in the northeast corner of the lobby across from the elevator.

Accessible drinking fountains are located on all floors except the Balcony level.

Learn More

Yes. Lost & Found is located at the north coat check room on the Main Lobby level of the Opera House. If you realize you’ve left something behind after you’ve left the Opera House, please email wmpac-lostandfound@sfgov.org or call 415-621-6600, 9:00 am–4:00 pm Monday–Friday, except city holidays.

San Francisco Ballet’s highest priority is keeping its audience members, employees, and artists safe. The protocols have been devised in close collaboration with medical and public health experts to closely follow guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control, the State of California, and the City and County of San Francisco. Please continue to check this page and sfopera.com/safety for updates.

• War Memorial Opera House ventilation systems have been evaluated and are operating within current ASHRAE COVID-19 recommendations, including MERV-13 or better filters, and increased outside air.
• Facilities will be cleaned daily, and we have hired additional cleaning staff. High-touch surfaces will be sanitized between performances.
• There will be multiple hand sanitizer stations positioned on each level of the Opera House.
• All of our front-of-house and backstage employees will follow rigorous safety protocols and will also be required to show proof of vaccination to come to work. All front-of-house staff will wear masks to keep patrons and themselves safe.
• Patrons will need to purchase tickets in advance of the performance. During the performance, patrons need to remain in their assigned seats and not move to other seats.
• Patrons will be required to wear masks unless actively eating or drinking.
• At time of purchase, audience members will attest that all members of their group ages 12 and older will be vaccinated (defined as two weeks after your final shot).
• Before entry to the Opera House, patrons under the age of 12 will need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within 48 hours of the performance they are attending.
• Before entry to the Opera House, patrons ages 12 and older will need to show proof of full vaccination (defined as two weeks after your final shot). Patrons can show either paper or electronic documentation (including a photo of the card), along with a photo ID.
• Audience members who fail to follow the front-of-house safety protocols or who are unable to show proof of vaccination will be asked to leave the performance venue.

For information on how to get a vaccine, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/

Patrons must bring an electronic, photo, or paper copy of a relevant COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination documentation must be a copy of the CDC card issued or a record of vaccination directly from the healthcare provider who administered the vaccine showing the vaccine was administered at least two weeks (14 days) prior to the scheduled performance.