San Francisco
A vast yet cozy venue with all the right moves, including Monday salsa dance classes, Russian karaoke (no language skills required) and indie rock acts…
Must-see entertainment in The Bay Area
Marin County
This 1906 saloon has live bands and country-and-western bric-a-brac everywhere you look. Prince Charles stopped in for an impromptu pint during a local…
Berkeley
At the south end of the University of California, Berkeley campus near Bancroft Way and Dana St, Zellerbach Hall features dance events, musical concerts…
Marin County
Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the park’s natural-stone, 3750-seat theater hosts the annual family-friendly ‘Mountain Play’ series…
San Jose
The San Jose Sharks – the city’s tremendously popular professional hockey team – play at this massive glass-and-metal stadium (formerly the HP Pavilion)…
Oakland
Once a vaudeville theater and silent-movie house, this 1926 beauty near Lake Merritt lures you in with its huge corner marquee (which sometimes displays…
Oakland
There's live music every night of the week at this ramshackle locals' favorite, which feels like a roadside juke joint plopped onto Grand Ave. The tunes…
Berkeley
This legendary club has almost 50 years of history and is conveniently located in the downtown arts district. It features great traditional folk, country,…
San Jose
Located near San Jose's airport, this is the home of the San Jose Earthquakes, the city's professional soccer team (season runs from February through…
Berkeley
This warmhearted community center presents dynamic dance classes and musical and visual arts events with a social justice bent. Look for a vibrant mural…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Line up at Union Sq's ticket booth to score half-price (or at least discounted) seats for unsold day-of, next-day or even future shows. Check the website…
Marin County
This small-town cinema with a retro pink-neon sign shows independent and foreign films on just one screen, plus live simulcast events such as opera,…
California Shakespeare Theater
Berkeley
Headquartered in Berkeley, with the fantastic outdoor Bruns Amphitheater east of the Berkeley Hills in Orinda as a venue, ‘Cal Shakes’ carries on a a warm…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
San Francisco's underground arts scene has taken up residence in a sunny Mission loft. Red Poppy hosts artist residencies, live jazz and roots music, and…
Berkeley
This outdoor, Greek-style amphitheater has been around since 1903, and is the oldest venue of its type in the country. Excellent sight lines, tons of…
Berkeley
Berkeley's solar-powered theater company stages exciting and provocative works in an intimate space. Offers pay-what-you-can tickets for preview shows,…
The Peninsula
The university's jam-packed performing-arts calendar showcases orchestral and chamber music, opera, jazz, R&B and world-music artists and ensembles year…
Oakland
This laid-back movie house, pub and community-events space shows second-run and throwback indie films. Reasonably priced beer, wine, sandwiches and pizza…
San Jose
The absolutely stunning Spanish Colonial interior of this landmark entertainment venue is cathedral-worthy. The theater is home to Opera San Jose and…
Berkeley
Ashkenaz is a ‘music and dance community center’ attracting activists, hippies and fans of folk, swing, world music and more who love to dance (lessons…
Berkeley
This highly respected company has produced bold versions of classical and modern plays since 1968. Most shows have half-price tickets for patrons under 30.
Oakland
When the San Francisco Giants are away, the Oakland A’s are usually home, which expands the possibilities for those desperate for a summer baseball fix.
Berkeley
This volunteer-run and booze-free all-ages space is a West Coast punk-rock institution. Check the online calendar for upcoming shows on weekend nights.
San Jose
San Jose's Major League Soccer (MLS) team plays at Avaya Stadium from February through October.
San Jose
San Jose's National Hockey League (NHL) team plays at SAP Center from September through April.
The Peninsula
With reclining leather seats, this renovated 1960s downtown gem screens a thought-provoking lineup of independent and foreign films.
Marin County
Restored downtown cinema offering innovative art-house programming on three screens in state-of-the-art surrounds.
Berkeley
Intimate downtown theater performs contemporary, thought-provoking plays staged with subtle aesthetics.
San Francisco
Big opera sung in English with a chamber orchestra in intimate venues around the Bay Area.
San Francisco
Hosts world-class classical performances at the Herbst Theater.
Oakland
Small neighborhood art-house cinema that's over 100 years old. It screens first-run Hollywood and independent films.
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Lou's presents live blues on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Primarily a restaurant, it also has a few bar tables near the bandstand and…
San Francisco
Before John Woo, Ang Lee and Wong Kar-wai hit multiplex marquees, they brought down the house in the Four Star’s postage-stamp-sized screening rooms…
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Get your salsa, rumba and bachata (Dominican dance) on at this high-ceilinged, stadium-sized Latin venue that books slick international touring acts. Most…
San Francisco
For people who swear they'll never sing in public, Encore lowers the stakes – this place is a dim rumpus room, where your audience lounges on Naugahyde…
Berkeley
On campus, this ticket office has information on all UC Berkeley sports events. Some sell out weeks in advance such as the famous football frenzy between…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Views are mesmerizing from the 21st floor of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, where tourists and couples on date nights cut loose and dance to live bands …
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Forget blockbusters – here San Franciscans catch the latest art-house flick or whatever won best foreign film at the Oscars with reserved seating in cushy…
Oakland
For an eclectic calendar of indie, punk and experimental sounds, burlesque shows and fun DJ dance parties, this club hits the spot. Come for a mix of…
