San Francisco

The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

This four-story tall, "Beaux-Arts" style building occupies an entire city block in the heart of the Civic Center and has 7,000 seats inside. Large and small bands, exhibits, concerts, and galas are all hosted at the Civic Auditorium. Check Ticketmaster to see what's playing.

The auditorium is not open to visitors or for tours, but only during event times which vary · Price varies depending on act · Wheelchair accessible

Great American Music Hall

Reputed to be the city's oldest nightclub, this ornate 600 capacity music venue presents hip music acts, some well-known among the cognoscenti, some so cutting edge that there's blood on the pavement. In the 1930s, this was fan-dancer Sally Rand's "Music Box." The interior, which was designed by a French architect, is known for its ornate balconies and columns.

Shows: hours vary; Box office: Mon-Fri 10:30AM-6PM, show nights 10:30AM-9PM, closed Sat-Sun (except during shows - opens 1 hour before show time) · Ticket prices vary by act but typically run from $10-30 · Limited wheelchair access

Marina Green

Marina Green is a long, flat strip of grass at the front of the Marina that runs along the Bay, equidistant between the Presidio and Fort Mason. The "Green" teems with joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, kite flyers, volleyball players, frisbee throwers, and rollerbladers — all getting their health kick exercising in an iconic location. The activities continue all the way through Crissy Fields ("The City's Front Yard") to the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge where you will find surfers patiently waiting for that next "big one."

Roxie Cinema

An independent art-film theater, with some of the best features shown in the country. If it's showing here, it's usually worth seeing.

Wheelchair accessible

Alamo Drafthouse

A theater with current popular movies, reserved seating and food and drink service.

Golden Gate Theater

Built in 1920 and influenced by the "Art Deco" and "Gothic Revival" styles, this theater has over 2,800 seats. It was designed by architect Gustave Albert Lansburgh.

Wheelchair accessible

Mechanics Institute Library & Chess Room

The Mechanics Institute is the oldest library in San Francisco, dating back to 1854 during the initial wild growth of San Francisco. The collection has around 160,000 items—many of them in the stacks in the building's basement and only accessible through the page desk—concerning a wide variety of topics, with special attention to local history and chess. The institute also hosts the oldest continuously operating chess club in the United States, with classes, tournaments, and scheduled non-competition play. The institute also hosts author talks, film screenings, book groups, and writer's workshops.

Mo,We,Fr 10:00-18:00; Tu,Th 10:00-20:00; Sa 10:00-17:00 · The facilities can be toured for free on Wednesdays at noon

Fillmore Auditorium

Hosts concerts and contemporary bands.

Built 1912

Magic Theatre

The Magic Theater is where you can go if you are interested in seeing productions from new and established American playwrights such as the Pulitzer Prize-winner, Sam Shepard.

Wed–Sat 8PM, Sun 2:30PM and 7PM · $25-75

Young Performers Theatre

The Young Performers Theatre is a professional children's theater. It hosts a dozen or so shows each year and also offers classes in the dramatic arts, creative drama, comedy and musical theater.

Sat 1PM, Sun 1PM and 3:30PM. Shows do not run every week, see website for exact dates · Adults: $10, Children under 13: $7

Magowan's Infinite Mirror Maze

A fun house maze where you can lose yourself in infinite hallways and dead-ends, complete with psychedelic lighting.

Opens daily at 10AM · $5, children 5 and under free

The New Conservatory Theatre Center

The three small New Conservatory theaters present novel, musical, comic, and educational plays.

Box office hours: Wed-Sat 1:30PM-7PM, Sun-Tue noon-3PM; show times: Performances are typically Wed-Sat 8PM, Sun 2PM, year round · Tickets generally cost $18-40

CounterPULSE Theater

This hybrid theater is a hub for experimental art and activism. Online calendar boasts new and eclectic events year-round.

Adventure Cat Sailing Charters

Offers a 90-minute bay cruise on a 55-foot luxury catamaran and also sunset cruises in the evening.

Cruise times vary — see website · Bay Cruise: adult: $40, children 6-12: $20, children 5 and under free; Sunset Cruise: adults $55 (no discount for children) — Sunset Cruise includes light hors d'oeuvres and 2 complimentary drinks

Cowell Theater

Hosts theater, dance, talks, and film festival productions among other things.

See website for schedule and times · $0-60

Marines Memorial Theater

Plays host to local, regional, and nationally renowned shows.

San Francisco Opera

There are Fall, Spring, and Summer seasons. The summer season focuses on lighter and popular operas. Performances are in the War Memorial Opera House on Van Ness Ave which has over 3,000 seats. The interior has a grandiose entrance hall with marble floors and a 38 foot high barrel vaulted ceiling. Two wide marble stairways at either end of the foyer, take you up to the main floor. The proscenium arch inside the theater is ornately decorated with gilded sculptures. In December and late spring the Opera House is used by the San Francisco Ballet.

Box office: Mon 10AM-5PM, Tue-Fri 10AM-6PM; Performances: Tue-Fri usually 7:30PM or 8PM, Sat 12:30PM or 8PM, Sun 1PM, 2PM, or 3PM. See website for exact schedule · $15-290

San Francisco Symphony

San Francisco has an excellent symphony orchestra, with Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) as the principal conductor. The Season goes from September to April, with a break in the middle of December and January. When the San Francisco Symphony is on tour, other orchestras visit to fill the void. In July there is a "Summer in the City" program of light music; August is quiet. Opened in 1980, the building's sweeping wraparound architecture was elegantly designed to complement the other buildings in the War Memorial complex. Inside, the building was designed to maximize acoustical tones with the exterior glass wall being used as a backdrop to capture sound. To further enhance and refine the sound it has adjustable acrylic acoustical panels around the stage area. There are circa 2,700 seats inside.

Box office: Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat noon-6PM; Performances: Wed-Sun usually 8PM or 8:30PM with Sat-Sun matinee 2PM, See website for exact schedule · $10-50

City Kayak

Enjoy the many great views of San Francisco from the water. They offer kayak rentals from South Beach Harbor in San Francisco but only kayak trips from Fisherman's Wharf location. A 'trip' comes with a guide.

Thu-Mon noon-3PM (return by 5PM), Tue-Wed closed · Rental rates depend on kayak and length of session

San Francisco Sailing Company

Bay tours under the Golden Gate Bridge and private charters and parties with full catering.

Sail times vary; check website · 90-minute tour, $45/person; private sailboat charters are more

San Francisco Ballet

The repertory season begins in January and continues through May.

Box office: Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM (10AM until start of performance on performance dates); Performances: Tue-Sun usually 8PM or 7:30PM with Sat-Sun matinee 2PM · $18-250

Warfield Theater

This historic theater on Market St has a balcony and approximately 2,700 seats. Built in the 1920s, it was renovated in 1969 and today it is as popular as ever hosting some major acts like Velvet Revolver and Bill Maher.

Hours vary but shows usually start at 8PM · Prices vary depending on act

Golden State Warriors - Chase Center

The opening of the 2019 NBA season saw the Golden State Warriors return to San Francisco after playing for nearly 50 years across the Bay in Oakland. The new arena includes all of the amenities expected of a 21st-century arena, plus Bay views.

Barbary Coast Trail

Take a tour of San Francisco's historic Barbary Coast. A series of bronze medallions and arrows are embedded into the sidewalks and help you navigate through the Barbary Coast Trail's historic sites. You can either download a map ($8.95) or audio tour ($25) or take one of their guided tours which are available by appointment only ($22 per person with a $352 minimum).

Geary Theater

Home to the American Conservatory Theater, a Tony Award–winning institution and the largest theater company in the city, who put on many Broadway shows and original performances at this historic theater.

Intersection for the Arts

An alternative art organization that has premiered works by noted authors such as Dave Eggers and world-class playwrights such as Denis Johnson. The resident theater group, Campo Santo, is very good. The space also has an art gallery.

The Old First Church

The Old First Church has concerts F 8PM & Su 4PM, and some other evenings, throughout the year.

Ticket prices are typically $10-15

Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

This 1,000 seat theater hosts concerts, comedy shoes, film events, and lectures.

See website for schedule and times · $20-150 · Wheelchair accessible

North Beach Festival

A North Beach tradition that celebrates its Italian heritage. It features live music and entertainment, poetry readings, classical concerts, dancing, ArtE di Gesso (chalk art on the street), and varied arts and crafts exhibitions.

Takes place in mid June · Free

BATS Improv at Bayfront Theater

BATS is a performing arts theater company that focuses on all forms of improvisational format, including theatersports. They also provide classes for anyone interested.

Shows usually start at 7PM/8PM · $8-20