Top Rated Attractions in San Francisco

Clad in glass from two sides, Joe Henderson Lab is a chic, light and airy space which is best suited for corporate events, concerts and receptions. This compact room is named after the famed jazz saxophonist Joe Henderson, and comes with its own state-of-the-art sound system 'Meyer', excellent stage lighting as well as video equipment. Perched delightfully on the stage is a sleek piano, which often catches the fancy of the audience. Along with seats, the room has a standing capacity of up to 100 people.

Conveniently located in the San Francisco Performing Arts District, the Sydney Goldstein Theater, formerly Nourse Theater, is a historic landmark in itself, apart from being an entertainment venue. Built in the year 1926, the theater plays host to stand up comedy, plays, concerts and is mostly renowned for lecture series by City Arts & Lectures. Constructed in Spanish Revival style, the bright red awnings and classical decor adds a traditional charm to the venue. Ornate chandeliers shed light on the bright red seats and a proscenium stage with bright red curtains. All these elements lend themselves nicely to a classical concert or a period drama. Renamed after Sydney Goldstein, the theater is a cultural symbol of San Francisco.

This gleaming, mirror-walled, glass-enclosed cylinder seats 2,743 and the acoustics are phenomenal. If the minimalist look of the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall is somewhat disquieting, given the Beaux Arts look of the rest of the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, never mind. Like the symphony itself, the 9,000 pipes of the Ruffati organ that looms behind the stage makes quite a statement.

Desai Matta Gallery occupies the main building at SoMa's California Institute of Integral Studies. The art gallery showcases works of some renowned as well as upcoming artists, photographers and handicraft professionals to a varied and an engaging audience of the Bay Area and beyond. In the past, it has played venue to some arresting hand-made displays by Krenov Foundation. This particular exhibition showcased hand-carved furniture items made by the students of College of the Redwoods. Alongside, it has also hosted works of acclaimed photographers and painters like Tomiko Jones and Kei Ito, among others.