Davies Symphony Hall | San Francisco Symphony Seating Guide with Hilary Hahn & Esa-Pekka Salonen

Best Value Tickets (Under $100)

• 2ND TIER LEVEL GG, Row H ($68): Great budget option with surprisingly good sound quality. Slightly side-view but excellent acoustics.
• 2nd Tier, Row C ($82): Front of 2nd tier offers clear sightlines to stage. Better value than similar-priced orchestra seats.
• 2ND TIER EE, Row D ($82-90): Center-left position with perfect balance between price and view. Rows C-E are the sweet spot in this section.

Sweet Spot Tickets ($95-$120)

• Premier 2nd Tier DD/EE, Row B ($95-96): Front-row 2nd tier with unobstructed views. The "secret premium" seats Davies regulars love.
• Upper Orchestra, Row CC ($97-101): Rear orchestra but with perfect elevation to see all musicians. Ideal for watching Hilary Hahn's technique.
• 1ST TIER G, Row F ($110-121): Closer side view with excellent proximity to the stage. Perfect for seeing Salonen's conducting nuances.

Higher Tier Options ($136-$194)

• Premier 2nd Tier, Rows D-E ($152): Center-left positioning with premium acoustics. These often sell out first for guest soloist performances.
• 1ST TIER LEVEL K, Row D ($172-173): Exceptional sightlines to both piano and conductor. Preferred by many for chamber music series.
• Orchestra, Row J ($186): Mid-orchestra depth with classic symphony hall experience. Slightly limited view of percussion section.

Premium & Last-Minute Options ($215+)

• FIRST TIER F/G, Row A ($215): Box seats with intimate feel. Can see musicians' sheet music - perfect for students.
• FIRST TIER J, Row F ($218): Direct line to Hahn's usual soloist position. Unmatched for violin-focused pieces.
• CENTER FIRST TIER, Row F ($627+): The absolute best acoustics in the house. VIP experience with perfect sightlines to all performers.

View Comparison

• 2nd Tier vs. 1st Tier: 2nd tier (GG/EE/DD) offers better overall sound balance, while 1st tier (G/K/J) provides closer visual connection.
• Front vs. Rear 2nd Tier: Rows A-C have clearer sightlines but Rows H-J offer better acoustic blend (ideal for Mahler/Bruckner).
• Side vs. Center: Left sections (EE/FF) often have better views of guest soloists, while center sections showcase full orchestra.

Expert Recommendations

• For Hilary Hahn performances: Prioritize left-side 1st tier (G/J) or premier 2nd tier (DD/EE) to see her fingering technique.
• For Salonen-conducted pieces: Choose center 2nd tier (AA/GG) to fully appreciate his dynamic conducting style.
• Best acoustic value: The $82-90 2ND TIER EE seats (Rows C-E) offer 90% of the premium experience at half the price.
• Group tip: The 2ND TIER LEVEL GG ($68) block of 3 seats is exceptional value for small groups.

Special Notes

Davies' unique "vineyard" seating means even upper sections have excellent sightlines. For contemporary pieces, consider seats with full percussion view (avoid far right sections). The hall's renowned acoustics ensure great sound from every price tier.