The American Bach Soloists FESTIVAL & ACADEMY is held in the spectacular buildings of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, now located in the heart of San Francisco's Arts district. Davies Symphony Hall (home of the San Francisco Symphony), the War Memorial Opera House (home of the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet), and Herbst Theatre (one of San Francisco's finest concert and recital venues) are just a three-minute walk from the Conservatory. Two primary public transportation hubs, linking to SF Muni and BART, are less than one minute away. And the upscale neighborhood of Hayes Valley offers a plethora of dining and shopping experiences for all budgets and tastes.

The Conservatory's new facility, opened in Fall 2006, contains state-of-the-art performance venues, classrooms, practice rooms, and teaching studios. The Concert Hall is a dramatic space created in a renovated, historic grand ballroom, and accommodates audiences of up to 450 people. The extraordinary and intimate Sol H. Joseph Recital Hall seats up to 140 and is specifically designed for chamber music, small ensemble performances and recitals by faculty and students. The Osher Salon is a versatile jewel-box for student recitals, ensemble performances, opera staging and blocking rehearsals, classes, lectures, special meetings, and events, and seats up to 120.

Some of San Francisco's most splendid public architecture can be found in the Civic Center area of San Francisco. The recently renovated, domed City Hall and the War Memorial Opera House epitomize Beaux Arts style, while the fan-shaped modern edifice of Davies Symphony Hall joins the new Asian Art Museum as the two newcomers in the neighborhood.

Hayes Valley offers some of San Francisco's finest dining and lively after-concert pubs, cafes, and bistros. A few minutes walk to the west is the famed Haight/Ashbury district, the Castro, and a short walk to the south is trendy SOMA.

• For a virtual tour of the Concert Hall, click here or on the image to the left. (requires QuickTime Player)
• For virtual tours of other parts of the facilites, click here.

The AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS FESTIVAL & ACADEMY at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music is easily accessible by several Bay Area public transportation systems. To plan a trip using public transportation, please click here or call one of the following numbers:

San Francisco Muni: 415.673.6864
BART: 510.464.6000
Golden Gate Transit: 415.923.2000
AC Transit: 510.817.1717
SamTrans: 800.660.4287

Walking Directions from the Civic Center BART/MUNI Station:
The Conservatory is located 3 blocks west of the Civic Center station. Leave the station by the Market Street exit. Proceed upstairs to street level. Walk three blocks southwest on Market to Van Ness. Cross Van Ness and walk north one half block to Oak Street. Make a left on Oak. Enter the Conservatory at 50 Oak Street

Walking Directions from the Van Ness MUNI Station:
Proceed upstairs to street level. Walk north on Van Ness (towards City Hall) one half block to Oak Street. Make a left on Oak. Enter the Conservatory at 50 Oak Street.

From the East Bay:
Cross the Bay Bridge and exit at 9th Street/Civic Center. Bear left onto Harrison Streetn then turn right onto 9th Street. Go four blocks, cross Market Street, and immediately turn left onto Hayes Street. Go two blocks and turn left onto Van Ness Avenue. Go two blocks and turn right onto Oak Street. Enter the Conservatory at 50 Oak Street.

From the Peninsula:
Take 101 North and exit at 9th Street/Civic Center. Bear left onto 9th Street. Go five blocks, cross Market Street, and immediately turn left onto Hayes Street. Go two blocks and turn left onto Van Ness Avenue. Go two blocks and turn right onto Oak Street. Enter the Conservatory at 50 Oak Street.

From the North Bay:
From the Golden Gate Bridge, take Doyle Drive to Lombard. Follow Lombard to Van Ness. Pass City Hall on your left and the Opera House and Davies Symphony Hall on your right. Turn right onto Oak Street. Enter the Conservatory at 50 Oak Street.