Watch CBS News

Best Ballroom Dance Studios In San Francisco

Whether you are bride or bridesmaid, groom or best man, mother of the groom, father of the bride or honored guest, you'll want to trip the light fantastic with elegance and panache. Here are a few ballroom dance studios that will help you to prepare. Even if you aren't going to any weddings this season, dancing is a pleasure that will last an entire life time. So don't be stumbling over two left feet, get with the music and dance to the beat!
Pick School Ballroom Dancing
www.pickdance.com

Pick School Of Ballroom Dancing
1532 Taravel St.
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 752-5658
www.pickdance.com

This dance studio has been active since 1961, and is now run by a second generation member of the Pick family. This studio has classes in salsa, tango, swing and wedding dancing and also offers private lessons and classes for kids. Clients report being especially pleased with the personal attention offered by Erin Peck, whose mother founded the studio just over 50 years ago.

Metronome Dance
www.metronomesf.com

Metronome Dance Collective
1830 17th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 871-2462
www.metronomesf.com

The Metronome Dance Collective hosts a very full schedule of reasonably-priced group classes, with something being offered every day of the week. They are also known for their popular Tango Camp. On the 3rd Sunday of every month, they host a swing dance party, preceded by dance lessons for those who wish. They periodically host other dance parties, including Latin dance and special holiday events such as a New Year's Eve party and a Halloween Ball.

Vima Dance Studio
820 26th St.
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 977-0203
www.vimadance.com

Vima Dance Studios offers a very wide range of classes including Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Rumba and both East Coast and West Coast Swing. Their group classes are separated into different levels and they provide both performance and competition opportunities. They are also known for providing classes specifically for same sex couples.

Related: Best Dance Clubs For Ladies In South Bay

Berkeley Dancer's Dan
www.berkeleydancersden.com

The Dancers Den
The Berkeley City Club
2315 Durant Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 848-7800
www.berkeleydancersden.com

The Berkeley City Club is an extraordinary building designed by the great Julia Morgan in the 1930s. Morgan, who designed the famous Hearst Castle at the same time, referred to it as her "little castle". It is an extraordinary venue for dancing, like a step back in time. Every Tuesday night, the very popular Dancers Den offers both classes and a dance to follow in the Club's spectacular ballroom. This event is extremely popular with a young crowd from the UC Berkeley community. For a truly elegant evening, considering dining at Julia's, the Berkeley City Club's signature restaurant. And don't forget to take the opportunity to walk about the building and get a gander at the rather spectacular indoor pool.

Lindy In The Park
Golden Gate Park
John F. Kennedy Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
www.lindyinthepark.com

Out of town visitors and locals, too, will never forget the experience of dancing the day away in the middle of Golden Gate Park. Every Sunday from 11 to 2 (weather permitting), the park swings with the assistance of dance instructors Hep Jen and Ken Watanabe. They have been conducting this event without fail since 1996, making it a true San Francisco tradition, moving into the 21st century.

Related: Best Dance Spots In North Bay

Charles Kruger is well known in the Bay area as "The Storming Bohemian" ever since he entered the Bay Area cultural scene in the summer of 2009, attending 90 cultural events in 90 days and blogging about it. This project was successful enough to warrant a mention in The New York Times. His coverage of Bay area theatre can be found at Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.