San Francisco's Cultural Scene: Symphony, Opera, and Ballet

Known for iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, travelers often overlook the artistic scene when they travel through San Francisco. This stunning coastal area offers visitors a cultural microcosm of art, dance, music, and performance talent in the heart of the Bay Area. If you’re traveling through and want to dive into the city's rich artistic collective, check out this helpful guide.

The San Francisco Symphony

Looking to be serenaded by an ensemble of talented classical music virtuosos? The San Francisco Opera, one of the nation's leading opera companies, stages productions that captivate audiences with their artistic brilliance and emotional depth. Founded in 1911, The San Francisco Symphony has been playing at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall for over 100 years, but it wasn’t always like this.

The economic disaster of The Great Depression caused the San Francisco Symphony to face bankruptcy and the 1934 season was subsequently canceled. However, the citizens of San Francisco passed a bond that provided financing to ensure the symphony continued, serving as a testament to the importance the symphony has to the city. Since that humbling time, San Francisco has become one of the Nation's premier hubs for musical expression and individuality.

The San Francisco Symphony offers multiple types of shows and tickets for you to peruse including live Blockbuster movie score performances, fixed packages, and Compose Your Own Series tickets. Some of the most well-known movie scores being performed by the San Francisco Symphony are Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz, Gladiator, Encanto, and Lord of the Rings. Click here to view the San Francisco Symphony’s website and browse the current calendar.

The San Francisco Opera

Opera was born in the Renaissance and was originally a reincarnation of community-enriching Greek dramas while also representing the power of the state. The breathtaking and politically powerful expressions of the nation's best soloists come together in modern times at the San Francisco Opera House. 

The San Francisco Opera has been wooing and dazzling audiences and guests since 1932. This palatial Opera House creates an immersive world of passion, drama, and romance with its leading cast of actors, singers, and performance artists to bring the work of composers and librettists to life. The stagehands and set design crew at the Opera House are some of the best in the business.

The San Francisco Opera showcases a diverse range of works that push the boundaries of the iconic art form while honoring its Italian roots and rich traditions. With lavish sets, stirring performances, and world-class vocalists gracing the stage, a night at the opera is an experience that lingers in the memory long after the final curtain falls. Click here to view the San Francisco Opera’s website and browse the current show calendar.

The San Francisco Ballet

Ballet is a stunning form of art that showcases exquisite grace and subtle storytelling. Marked by a spirit of revival and rebirth, ballet originated during the Italian Renaissance where dancing was a key part of celebrations and events. Gifted dancers and hungry aesthetes come together to celebrate their shared love at the San Francisco Ballet. 

The San Francisco Ballet was founded in 1933 and presented its first full-length productions of Coppelia and Swan Lake in its inaugural year. The company began a yearly holiday tradition in 1944 with its performances of The Nutcracker, a beloved classic ballet with moving music written by world-renowned composer Tchaikovsky. The dancers perform with delicacy, precision, and expressive movements, making each performance a breathtaking experience.

If you’d like to watch a performance at the San Francisco Ballet, you can choose from single-performance tickets or purchase a subscription for more financial flexibility. Click here to view the San Francisco Ballet’s website and browse the current calendar.

Explore San Francisco While Staying at The Grove Inn

San Francisco residents take pride in the diverse cultural expression of their city and warmly welcome visitors to join in the experience. If you’re looking for a place to stay during your trip, why not check out San Fran’s best Inn? The Grove Inn is an Italianate-Victorian-style Inn located in the heart of the Alamo Square Historic District. 

The Grove Inn has been family-owned for 4 generations and has served the San Francisco Bay Area with the same friendly hospitality it provided when it opened in 1865. The Grove Inn has many beautiful, luxury accommodation types including Double Rooms, Queen Rooms, and Suites.

Check out the Grove Inn’s website and book your stay to see “Frisco” like a true local and immerse yourself in what the Bay Area has to offer.