War Memorial Opera House

The War Memorial Opera House is the principal opera and ballet venue in San Francisco’s Civic Center, home to the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet. The theatre was completed in 1932 and was built as part of the War Memorial complex dedicated to veterans.

Architecturally it features a broad horseshoe auditorium and formal foyers designed for large-scale stage productions and public ceremonies. It hosts the regular seasons of the city’s opera and ballet companies as well as national and international touring performances.

The Opera House was constructed as part of the War Memorial and Performing Arts Center and opened in 1932 to provide a permanent home for performing arts in San Francisco. It has undergone periodic renovations to update stage systems and public facilities while retaining much of its original civic-plaza setting.

The building faces the Civic Center Plaza in central San Francisco, adjacent to the Veterans Building and near major city institutions such as the Asian Art Museum and City Hall.

Seating: The main auditorium seats roughly 3,000 people, making it suitable for large opera and ballet productions.

How to Get to War Memorial Opera House #

Located on Van Ness Avenue near Civic Center in San Francisco. The War Memorial Opera House is a short walk from BART (Civic Center/UN Plaza station) and multiple MUNI lines that serve Van Ness and Market Street. Street parking is limited; public transit is recommended.

Tips for Visiting War Memorial Opera House #

Book backstage or guided tours in advance - the building's courtyard and stagehouse have architectural and theatrical surprises that most audiences never see.
Check the opera and ballet calendars for performances and matinees; weekday evening performances are often less crowded at intermission.
Arrive early to explore the Façade and the courtyard that are part of the broader War Memorial complex.

Best Time to Visit War Memorial Opera House #

Visit during the performing season (September-May) for the fullest roster of opera and ballet productions; matinees and weekday performances can be less crowded.

Performing season

September-May · 10-20°C (50-68°F)

Main opera and ballet seasons with full programming.

Summer (festival and touring)

June-August · 12-22°C (54-72°F)

Some touring performances and festivals; check schedules for special events.

Weather & Climate near War Memorial Opera House #

Climate

War Memorial Opera House's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in September) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (768 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 40 Good

Best Time to Visit

SeptemberJuneJuly

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

39°

Warmest Month

-1°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (159 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cool

10°C

Temperature

6° – 14°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

159 mm

Rainfall

3.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

9.8h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

8° – 16°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

138 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

10.7h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

8° – 17°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

119 mm

Rainfall

4.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.1

UV Index

High

11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

9° – 19°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

47 mm

Rainfall

4.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.5

UV Index

Very High

13.0h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

10° – 20°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

16 mm

Rainfall

4.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.9

UV Index

Very High

14.0h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Almost no rain.

84 Excellent

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

11° – 21°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

5 mm

Rainfall

4.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

14.5h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

12° – 22°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

2 mm

Rainfall

4.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

14.3h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

12° – 22°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

3 mm

Rainfall

4.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.9

UV Index

Very High

13.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain.

92 Ideal

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Cool

18°C

Temperature

12° – 23°

70%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

8 mm

Rainfall

3.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.4

UV Index

High

12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).

80 Excellent

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

11° – 22°

69%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

43 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

11.1h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

9° – 18°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

106 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.5

UV Index

Moderate

10.0h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cool

10°C

Temperature

7° – 14°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

122 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

9.5h daylight

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