Step into a historic treasure in San Francisco, California. Located on the western side of Van Ness Avenue across from San Francisco City Hall, the War Memorial Opera House is part of the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center. Designed by architects Arthur Brown Jr. and G.
Albert Lansburgh, it opened in 1932 as the first municipally owned opera house in the United States. Built to commemorate those who served in World War I, its grand architecture features a classic Roman Doric design inspired by the Louvre Colonnade, a severe rusticated basement, and paired columns screening colossal arch-headed windows. Inside, you will see a grand entrance hall with a barrel vaulted, coffered ceiling, and a theater dominated by a massive aluminum and glass panel chandelier under a blue vault.
The house features 3,146 seats plus standing room for 200, alongside a gilded proscenium arch. Beyond serving as the home of the San Francisco Opera since its 1932 opening performance of Puccini's Tosca, this historic venue hosted the 1945 United Nations San Francisco Conference and the 1951 signing of the Treaty of San Francisco reestablishing peaceful relations with Japan.
What to see at War Memorial Opera House
- Home of the San Francisco Opera since its 1932 inaugural performance of Puccini's Tosca
- Classic Roman Doric exterior inspired by the severe scheme of the Louvre Colonnade
- Grand entrance hall featuring high barrel vaulted and coffered ceilings
- Theater interior with a blue vault, gilded proscenium arch, and massive glass and aluminum chandelier
- Key diplomatic site for the 1945 UN Conference and 1951 Treaty of San Francisco
Visiting tips
Observe the grand classical architecture directly across Van Ness Avenue from San Francisco City Hall.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Evening
How to get there & what’s nearby
War Memorial Opera House is easy to reach on San Francisco’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our San Francisco travel guide.
See the full San Francisco travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.