An outdoor patio cafe also serves refreshments before the performance and during intermissions. The SF Opera has two dinner restaurants, one on the lower level and one on the mezzanine floor, as well as several bars in the lobby and upper floors that serve drinks and snacks. See the Stern Grove website for their schedule. Some years, selections by the SF Opera are included. A wide variety of music is performed in a pretty, wooded grotto, entrance at Sloat Blvd.
There are usually one or two free SF Opera performances every year:
OperaVision: there are large TV screens in the Balcony section that project close-ups of the singers for certain performances. Opera glasses: in case you don't happen to have any lying around at home, they rent opera glasses for $5 on the ground floor near the lobby, on the right side. They also broadcast the talk on the TV screens in some of the lounges (like the Dress Circle Lounge).Ĭoat check: the seats are rather narrow and close together, so if you have a bulky coat, you may want to check it on the ground floor, on the left side of the building near the lobby. Sit in the Orchestra section you can come and go. These tend to sell out, so book early in the season to get tickets, at 415 551-6353 or talks are given 55 minutes before each show, free for ticket holders. Opera House tours are offered during the season: $20 for a one-hour, guided tour, including behind-the-scenes areas. When you go to book the ticket, you can click on sample seats and see a photo of the stage view from there.īut generally speaking, all the seats in the Orchestra section are quite good, all the way to the back and sides, I think. But are the views from the box seats and the Grand Tier that much better than the other seats? I don't think so, especially not for the price difference. Naturally, there is a correlation between ticket prices and quality of view. Small discounts can be obtained via purchasing in person, directly at the opera house ($5 less than online) or by getting tickets for several operas.
If you're a serious opera fan, you can see the operas for free by becoming an usher, a volunteer position. As low as $26 for the back 5 rows and far edges. The ticket prices drop off drastically at the far reaches of the upper Balcony. Same day tickets, starting at 11:00 am at the box office.