+

ACCESSIBILITY

ACCESSIBILITY

We provide easy access for all visitors

Accessing the Opera House

The War Memorial Opera House has three public entrances during performances:

  • Van Ness Avenue
  • Grove Street
  • North Carriage entrance

All three entrances are accessible by wheelchair and without stairs. During normal business hours, when there isn’t a performance, only the Van Ness entrance is available. The wheelchair ramp at the Van Ness entrance is located to the left of the large staircase.

Patrons can be dropped off and picked up at 301 Van Ness for the main Van Ness entrance, on Grove Street, or behind the Opera House at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Fulton Street to access the Carriage entrance.

Guided Walking Groups

After evening performances, we offer guided walking groups to the UC Law Parking garage and the Civic Center BART station, for those who don’t wish to walk alone. Those groups meet 15 minutes after curtain outside the Van Ness entrance.

Inside the Opera House

Once inside the house, there are elevators in the northeast and southeast corners of the building. These elevators access every floor, except the 5th floor Balcony, which requires stairs. The elevator operator can help guide you to the correct floor for your seats.

If you can use the stairs, we encourage you to do so. This kindness allows those with the most need to access the elevators in a timely manner.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available on each floor of the Opera House, except the 1st floor, Orchestra level. Accessible restrooms are on every level except the 1st floor Orchestra Level and the 5th floor Balcony level. Please save the accessible stalls for the patrons who need them.

There is an accessible all-gender restroom on the third floor.

Public Telephones

An accessible public telephone can be found on the Main Lobby South across from the elevator. For deaf or hard of hearing, you can call SF Ballet Ticket Services through CA Dial TTY at 711: or call 1-800-735-2922 (English) or 1-800-855-3000 (Spanish).

Drinking Fountains

Accessible drinking fountains are located on all floors except the Balcony level.

Wheelchair and Accessible Seating

Wheelchair seating positions are located in the Orchestra and Dress Circle level. Wheelchair seats can now be purchased online or you can contact Ticket Services at 415-865-2000. If your accessible seating needs change, please call Ticket Services to ensure that your seats meet your needs when you arrive. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm. On performance days, the phones are open from 10 am until the performance begins. You may also email us at tickets@sfballet.org.

We offer the following accessible seats:

  • Wheelchair space—no seat: These spaces have no physical seat; they are spaces that can accommodate a wheelchair. These are located in the Orchestra Level and the last row of the Dress Circle. Wheelchairs and other personal assistive mobility devices are not provided by either San Francisco Ballet or the War Memorial Performing Arts Center.
  • Accessible companion seat: These are seats for those accompanying a patron with accessible seating needs.
  • Accessible seat—no stairs: No stairs are needed to reach these seats. These seats are located in the Orchestra level and the last row of the Dress Circle.
  • Transfer Seats: These seats have armrests that move for easier access into the seat. These are located in the Orchestra level and the Grand Tier.
  • Bariatric Seats: These seats are wider and can support more weight. There are a limited number of these seats available on the Orchestra Level and in the Dress Circle.

PATRON WHEELCHAIR ASSISTANCE GUIDELINES

  • The War Memorial Complex is unable to provide patrons with a wheelchair or personal assistance to navigate around the Opera House, Davies Symphony Hall, or the Veterans Building venues.
  • If you will be arriving to any of these venues in a wheelchair, and require assistance with activities of daily living, including transferring to and from a wheelchair, your caregiver will be granted un-seated entry to assist you and then wait in the lobby for the performance to conclude.
  • Only in the case of unforeseen medical needs can our house EMTs provide medical assistance and/or transport.

Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive listening devices are available for patrons with hearing impairment and may be obtained at both the North and South Lobby coat checks. ID deposit is requested. For more information, call Ticket Services at 415-865-2000.