Issue link: http://globelitetravelmarketing.uberflip.com/i/782043
2 0 1 7 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A 65 THE SAN FRANCISCO OPERA stages Tosca, opposite boXom; Maria Kochetkova and Vitor Luiz in Symphonic Dances, San Francisco Ballet, leV; Jackie Greene performs at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz, below. Across the Bay Bridge, Berkeley Reper- tory Theatre continues its tradition of inspired experimentation. And don't overlook "Cal Shakes"—the California Shakespeare Company—with its gorgeous open-air venue in the Orinda hills. Other excellent California theaters include the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, San Jose Repertory and the Sacramento Theater Company. Finally, the state hosts no less than five cutting-edge Fringe Festivals. Symphonies, Opera & Ballet Frank Owen Gehry designed the Walt Disney Concert Hall, home of the renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic, to be one of the most acoustically perfect performance spaces on earth. California's other preemi- nent orchestra is the San Francisco Symphony, directed by the legendary Michael Tilson Thomas, at home in the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall. San Diego, Sacramento, Oakland, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara all support superb orchestras as well. Opera still maintains a huge following in California, with nearly thirty companies across the state. The San Francisco Opera and Los Angeles Opera are two of the largest in North America, with global reputations for set production and excellence. Kudos as well to the renowned Long Beach Opera, now in its fourth decade. Ballet in the Golden State has an equally impressive pedigree. The San Francisco Ballet, founded in 1933, was the first profes- sional ballet company in the country. The California Ballet Company in San Diego, largest in the region, has a stellar interna- tional reputation. The Los Angeles Ballet is a relative newcomer to the scene, while the reinvigorated Oakland Ballet recently marked its 50 th anniversary. Jazz & Blues Here's a quick sampler of the state's best jazz and blues clubs. Oakland is a hotbed of jazz with Yoshi's in Jack London Square, Geoffrey's Inner Circle and quirky Birdland. In San Francisco, don't miss the SF Jazz Center, and visit The Saloon and Club Deluxe for blues. In Santa Cruz, it's the Kuumbwa Jazz Center; in Fullerton, Steamers; the Baked Potato and Catalina in Hollywood; Charlie O's in Van Nuys; and The Torch Club (for blues) in Sacramento. In LA, find the hottest new offerings at the Jazz Bakery. Rock 'n' Roll 'n' More From the Doors to the Dead, California has long been Ground Zero for great live music. In San Francisco, check out what's on at the Fillmore, the Warfield, the Independent and Great American Music Hall. Some of the best venues in the East Bay include the Fox and glorious Paramount Theater in Oakland, as well as Berkeley's Greek The- atre—known simply as "the Greek." In Marin County, Sweetwater Music Hall often hosts well-known artists. Looking to rock it in LA? Check out the Troubadour, the Roxy and Whisky a Go Go, an LA institution since 1964. Some other legendary California venues include the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, the Casbah and "the Brick" (Brick by Brick) in San Diego. KENT G BECKER/CREATIVE COMMONS/FLICKR ; SF OPERA . OPPOSITE: JOSEPH SOHM /SHUTTERSTOCK ; CHARLES ERICKSON/SHUTTERSTOCK