Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall
Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall
Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall
4.5
About
Home to the San Francisco Symphony, this modern structure created quite an architectural controversy when first built.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Civic Center
Civic Center is the seat of power for all things government and performance-related in the city. Although its streets are best walked during daytime, numerous cultural gems are within close proximity to one another. The symphony, opera, ballet, and jazz center offer year round entertainment within the shadow of the city’s Beaux-Arts crown jewel: the gold tipped dome of City Hall.
How to get there
- Van Ness • 5 min walk
- Civic Center • 8 min walk
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4,625 within 3 miles
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1,077 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
104 reviews
Excellent
66
Very good
23
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
2
D H
1 contribution
Apr 2022
Extremely disappointed! My partner purchased box seat tickets a few months in advance to see Sheku on Sunday April 24th at 7:30Pm. Being a cello player and a huge fan of Sheku, I was super excited to see the performance for a few months and made so many arrangements to make sure that I could be there to enjoy it. When we arrived with our vaccination cards and tickets in hand to our dismay we were told that we could not enter because we didn’t have our booster shots! We would have gladly gotten our booster shots and had plenty of time to do so prior to the show if Davies Symphony Hall had stressed that as a requirement or made it a point to have all attendees register their vaccination status during the ticket purchasing process. Instead, they made it seem as though we should’ve known about it and should just be okay with a refund. Unfortunately Sheku is not an artist who visits the Bay Area often so I felt that a simple refund was not a sufficient way to handle the situation. We were not the only ones! There was literally a line of people being turned away due to the same issue! My only hope is that someone at Davies Symphony Hall is held accountable for the awful experience that we had along with so many others. I have been attending shows at Davies Symphony Hall since I was a child, however the experience that me and my partner recently had put such a sour taste in our mouths that we will no longer support this venue nor will we recommend it. I cannot express the amount of heartbreak that I felt when I was not allowed to see one of my favorite performers live after so much meticulous planning and a situation which had plenty of time to remedy with clientele who was willing and able prior to the show.
Written April 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jimmylaidley
San Francisco, CA17 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
Terrific fun. Loved the Orchestra‘s version of the Nutcracker music in jazz. Very cleverly done. Plus, you really can’t beat all those loud horns at Christmas time.
Written December 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gillsp2017
Peterborough, UK51 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Went to see Mahler 7 last week. Not a great beginning ... the audience were kept in a small area before being allowed in for the pre concert talk. After the concert we were given little time to linger before being ushered out into the rain. This gave the whole evening rather a clinical feel. The orchestra gave a good performance but nowhere near as good as the whooping and cheering which the audience couldn't wait for at the end. Throughout the performance there were people taking photos and selfies on mobiles, people talking and others coming and going. The woman next to my husband leaned into his space and the couple in front constantly leant forward so we could not see. One lady behind us actually asked her friend who was playing and what they were here to see. This constant chatter and movement really ruined the concert for us ... many folk seemed to be there to be seen rather than to enjoy the music. Shame since the hall is rather lovely... or what we were able to see of it appeared so.
Written May 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SanFranciscoVoyager
Coronado, CA201 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We went to the Symphony to see the screening with live musical accompaniment of "Amadeus". It was Wonderful. I had been waiting for months to see it. But I wanted to tell you about the food service. I had no idea what an unusual request I was making, but I telephoned and one of the staff, Shannon Ramirez, answered the phone. I asked her if we could have a table with our food waiting for us, we placed our order and paid in advance. When we got there, we realized that Ms. Ramirez had gone to extra lengths to see that the food was delivered to a table that was at the bar near our seating area....it was clear this was not the common practice as the food was waiting at a table and it was the only one so set up. We so much appreciated Ms. Ramirez going the extra mile for us.
Written April 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M.Juan
San Francisco, CA83 contributions
May 2017
San Francisco has long been the cultural center of the western USA. The city fathers wisely build a wonder home for local and internations talents to preform. Any night will offer a wonderfull night out for music lovers
Written April 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GEARS J
San Francisco, CA48 contributions
Jun 2017
San Francisco Symphony Hall has to be visited at least once and San Francisco Symphony has to be heard at least once… Great musicians.
Written August 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yog-Sothoth
Trenton, ME1,232 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
Davies Hall is a lovely venue, and a wonderful place to get a little culture at low stress and cost. Have a martini before the performance and stand out on the balconies on the upper level. The SF Symphony is good, too!
Written December 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travel-junkie3PO
San Francisco, CA1,705 contributions
Jul 2012
Not as good as Rotterdam but still pretty rootin' tootin' acoustics, not a bad seat in the house. Way big organ that will get your attention if they are firing it off while you are there. They say Bach was deaf but he played organ and didn't need to hear anything 'cause he could feel it. He composed by the seat of his pants. San Francisco has a worthy orchestra and you won't be disappointed if you turn up for some long-hair music at this venue. Hayes Valley is the nearby dining mecca, try the Ambrosia Restaurant with your sweetie.
Written July 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Howard S
Pacifica, California, United States71 contributions
Aug 2011
I love Davies Hall.From the outside you know you are entering a place of culture. The lobby is impressive, but wait till you get inside. The architecture is astounding and the sound great. We always sit in the upper orchestra as a compromise of good seats and good value. The San Francisco Symphony programs are top notch, but one of my favorites is the Halloween annual movie with organ accompaniment. What a classy place to have this much fun.
Written June 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,757 contributions
Jun 2023
It's a good place for a concert but is not looking so good these days. It actually looks in need of maintenance and that bothers me. A very important community resource.
Written June 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I would like to know about great restaurants or hotels if you are going to this venue.....
Written September 7, 2016
I recommend Dobbs Ferry, just a few blocks away.
Written September 8, 2016
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