In search of the perfect San Francisco climbing gyms? Begin right here.
San Francisco is one in all our favourite cities, but it surely wasn’t till just lately that we began including climbing gyms as a part of our journey itinerary. Fortunately, a few of our native mates pointed us towards the perfect climbing gyms in SF bay space. With so many choices, we put collectively this record that can assist you determine which gymnasium to go as to if you’re visiting or wish to develop into a member.
We’ve been to over 25 gyms all around the US, and San Francisco has a few of our favourite gyms within the nation. Right here’s what we realized.
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Final Up to date: January 17, 2023
Issues to Preserve in Thoughts
- The climbing scene will proceed to alter. After we revisit, we’ll regularly replace this put up. Over the pandemic, we seen many gyms closing or getting purchased out by bigger gyms.
- Company vs. Unbiased Gyms – In the event that they rent a brand new setter, the setting can fluctuate and is often extra drastic at smaller, impartial gyms vs. company ones.
- Health club climbing has advanced and has develop into its personal sport. Some gyms cater towards coaching for out of doors climbing, whereas others wish to create a climbing expertise just for gymnasium climbers. I’ve seen my out of doors mates like gyms with a lot of ‘tensiony’ strikes that prepare them for the outside, however lots of our indoor-only climbing mates are on the lookout for one thing fully completely different (i.e., comp-style).
- Setting – The setting consists of how enjoyable the climbs are and the number of holds. Though there are exceptions, usually, we’ve discovered that once they make investments extra in maintain selection, in addition they put money into setters.
- Grading – We’re primarily taking a look at fascinating and enjoyable motion over how they grade their issues. Some climbers favor a grade vary, whereas others favor them damaged up. Some gyms are stiffer than others, and a few grades are in all places, which will be irritating, so we observe it.
- Group – That is all the time laborious to match on one-off visits. We acquired some perception from mates, however as a substitute of ranking the group, we included notes on whether or not a gymnasium was beginner-friendly. Some gyms can really feel extra intimidating than others if you happen to’re new.
The Greatest Rock Climbing Gyms in San Francisco Bay Space
1. Benchmark Climbing – Greatest Setting and Greatest Overallㅤ→
1414 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109, map
Setting: 5/5
Facility: 4.5/5
Charges: $30 Day Go | Memberships Beginning at $107.54/month
Setting Routine: 1-3 Days Per Set. Resets begin on Mondays.
Sorts of Climbing: Bouldering
Busiest Instances: Weekdays after Work
Coaching Boards: Moon Board, Campus Board
Different Places: North Berkeley
Strolling into Benchmark Climbing, we instantly seen all of the pure mild and wooden tones. We appreciated their clear, fashionable aesthetics. However on the finish of the day, the setting determines how lengthy we wish to climb or if we wish to come again.
Our different climber mates additionally talked about that this gymnasium had the perfect setting. As soon as we began climbing, we noticed how thoughtfully they set every downside. Even the decrease grades had been fascinating and enjoyable, which is commonly an afterthought for setters, particularly at impartial gyms that don’t have an enormous funds. After we requested them how lengthy they spend on a set, they advised us 1-3 days per set. What a dream!
We had solely deliberate to remain a few hours however stayed for much longer. Since visiting, they opened a a lot bigger gymnasium in North Berkeley that we are going to be trying out on our subsequent go to.
Room to Enhance: They don’t have an enormous exercise part, and the realm suits possibly 1-2 folks comfortably.
Native Tip: Road parking is cheaper, however if you happen to can’t discover any, there are a couple of parking decks close by. The setting could be a little stiff in comparison with the opposite gyms within the space however will get you stronger. And there’s ample seating and wifi if you wish to work remotely – Paulina
See Associated – The Final SF Bucket Checklist
2. Pacific Pipe (Touchstone) – Greatest Facilitiesㅤ→
2140 Mandela Parkway, Oakland, CA 94607, map
Setting: 4/5
Facility: 4.5/5
Charges: $30 Day Go | Memberships Beginning at $87.08/month
Setting Routine: 5 Week Flip Round
Sorts of Climbing: Prime Rope, Lead, and Bouldering
Sq. Footage of the Services: 46,000 sq ft
Sq. Footage of Climbing Partitions: 33,000 sq ft (13,000 sq ft of bouldering)
Busiest Instances: Weekdays after Work, Weekends
Coaching Boards: Moon Board, Pressure Board, Kilter Board, Campus Board
Pacific Pipe, one of many latest Touchstone gyms, is the most important climbing gymnasium within the US as of 2023. It’s a large facility with 55-foot-high lead partitions and an enormous bouldering space that spans two flooring. It has virtually every thing you can ask for in a climbing gymnasium. I haven’t seen every other gymnasium with all three: Moon, Pressure, and Kilter boards.
We visited after that they had a residents comp, so there have been many extra comp issues. The gymnasium felt extra inviting to new climbers in comparison with different gyms.
Room for Enchancment: They lacked a hangboard space (it’s within the works). Additionally, if you happen to don’t like busy gyms, it’s possible you’ll wish to think about one other gymnasium.
Native Tip: There’s free parking across the constructing.
3. Dogpatch Boulders (Touchstone) – The Largest Bouldering Gymㅤ→
2573 third St, San Francisco, CA 94107, map
Setting: 3.5/5
Facility: 3.5/5
Charges: $30 Day Go | Memberships Beginning at $107.54/month
Setting Routine: 1-2 Instances a Week
Sorts of Climbing: Bouldering
Busiest Instances: Weekdays after Work
Coaching Boards: Kilter Board, Spray Wall, Campus Board
That is one other gymnasium owned by Touchstone, so you possibly can entry it if you’re a Touchstone member. It’s SF’s first bouldering-only gymnasium and is large (the most important in California). They’ve some tall partitions and top-outs. The Touchstone gyms additionally share setters, so that you’ll discover a comparable setting model right here.
We went proper once they opened, so there have been few folks there, however our mates advised us throughout peak hours, it will get crowded.
Room to Enhance: The gymnasium is older, so it feels grungy, and the holds are gross. Grades are all around the board, and so they maintain elevating membership costs with out bettering the services – Paulina.
Native Tip: It’s straightforward to entry from CalTrain – Paulina
See Associated – 25 Free Issues to Do in San Francisco California
4. Motion Sunnyvaleㅤ→
815 Stewart Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, map
Setting: 4/5
Facility: 3/5
Charges: $30 Day Go | Memberships Beginning at $91/month
Sorts of Climbing: Bouldering, Prime Rope, Lead
Sq. Footage of Climbing Partitions: 28,000 sq ft
Variety of Issues Up: 120+ Issues / 150+ Routes
Different Places: Belmont + San Francisco
We went to the Sunnyvale Location in 2016 and had plenty of enjoyable climbing again then, however had Paulina assist us with the way it has been since then. Though the services are older, they’ve been doing work to improve them. The workers is pleasant.
Room to Enhance: The wifi is unhealthy, which makes it laborious to work from – Paulina
These had been the 4 gyms we visited prior to now, and we’ll let our mates, Paulina and Austin, provide you with perception into the opposite gyms beneath.
5. Mission Cliffs (Touchstone)ㅤ→
2295 Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94110, map
Setting: 3/5
Facility: 2/5
Charges: $30 Day Go | Memberships Beginning at $107.54/month
Sorts of Climbing: Prime Rope, Lead, and Bouldering
Sq. Footage of the Services: 23,000 sq ft
Sq. Footage of Climbing Partitions: 23,000 sq ft (2,000 sq ft of bouldering)
Variety of Issues Up: 160+ Routes
Busiest Instances: Weekdays after Work
Coaching Boards: Campus Board
Mission Cliffs is San Francisco’s oldest climbing gymnasium, and though they’ve gone by way of renovations and updates, the age reveals. The roped space is far larger, with 50-foot lead partitions, so it’s nice for rope climbers. The bouldering space is small, however they’ve bouldering top-outs. Our pal Austin nonetheless goes right here to work out, primarily out of comfort.
Room to Enhance: Grades are in all places, holds and partitions are gross, it’s crowded throughout peak hours, and so they have horrible customer support. Their workers take perpetually to acknowledge you exist. – Paulina
OTHER Partitions and Rock Climbing Gyms in San Francisco Bay Space
- Berkeley Ironworks (Touchstone) – 45-foot-high lead partitions and a giant bouldering space. The services are older, although.
- Bladium’s Rock Wall and Bouldering Health club
- ClubSport Pleasanton
- Diablo Rock Health club (Touchstone)
- Glen Park Recreation Middle – has a climbing wall.
- Nice Western Energy Co (Touchstone) – 48-foot-high lead partitions and 1,500 sq ft of bouldering. It’s positioned in Uptown Oakland and handy if you happen to stay within the space.
- Motion San Francisco – this location is correct within the coronary heart of the Presidio by the Golden Gate Bridge. They’ve 40-foot climbing partitions, loads of area, and delightful views.
- Motion Belmont – This was the unique Planet Granite gymnasium, now Motion Belmont. It’s small, and the wall angles aren’t nice. It’s not a vacation spot gymnasium, and it’s solely good if you happen to’ve climbed in all places else or it’s essentially the most handy location. It additionally will get crowded, particularly on bouldering league nights.
- Session Climbing – There’s a lot hype round Kevin Jorgensen’s new gymnasium in Santa Rosa. It was a lot smaller than I anticipated, however the services had been good, with seating and consuming areas (5/5). The setting was in all places (3.5/5), and the bouldering space was sparse.
- The Studio Climbing, South Bay (Touchstone) – keep away from in any respect prices. The services are a 1/5. Even Belmont is small, however this one feels even smaller. The setting is simply okay, the bouldering space is just not pleasant, and a few partitions are arrange in just a little hallway. You’re feeling like you possibly can’t climb with out falling on another person.
In Conclusion
As guests, we’ll most certainly try all of the gyms we haven’t been to earlier than returning to those above, however I do know we’ll be again at Benchmark. If it had been as much as us and we lived within the Bay space, we might get a membership at Touchstone to get pleasure from the advantages throughout all of the gyms in norcal (Mission Cliffs, Berkeley Ironworks, Diablo Rock Health club, Pacific Pipe, Dogpatch Boulders, Nice Western Energy Co) and SoCal after which get a punch go at Benchmark.
Map of Climbing Gyms in San Francisco Bay Space
What to Pack – Climber’s Packing Checklist
First Timer’s What to Convey
You’ll be able to lease sneakers, chalk, and a harness if it’s your first time. All you might want to convey is the next:
Established Climbers Packing Checklist
For many who already climb, don’t neglect this stuff too! Examine this put up for our favourite of every.
Extras
Lastly, listed here are some miscellaneous objects you possibly can convey for warming up, coaching, and extra.
Extra About Our CLimbing Journey
- We’ve climbed since 2013 and climb within the intermediate V4-6 vary indoors and open air. Most climbers we’ve seen at gyms are both newbie or intermediate climbers. In the event you’re climbing within the superior to the professional vary, we assume you don’t have to google gyms and have already got a community of climbing mates telling you the place to climb (however who is aware of… we could possibly be improper).
- I used to route-set at our outdated gymnasium in Vegas, so I’ve a primary understanding of what the setting ought to be and have met many climbers on the lookout for various kinds of setting kinds.
- We’ve climbed at over 25 gyms all around the US and have a good suggestion of what cities have first rate climbing gyms. Most of those have been in main cities (ABQ, Atlanta, Austin, Bishop, Chattanooga, NY, Portland, San Diego, SF, Seattle, and Vegas). Our mates who van life and journey to climb open air year-round have advised us that usually, climbing gyms have been worse at higher out of doors climbing locations, however that may be as a result of many are present in smaller communities.
- Additionally, since we’re not professional climbers, double-digit climbers, or TikTok well-known, folks don’t give us particular therapy. As an Asian male, Jacob can get a superb learn on whether or not the gymnasium group is pleasant.
The place to remain in San Francisco
Some other mountaineering gyms in San Francisco that we missed?? In the event you at present go to any of those gyms above, is there something you disagree with or want to add?
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Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Native Adventurer, one of many prime 5 journey blogs within the US. They consider that journey will be discovered close to and much and hope to encourage others to discover domestically. They discover a brand new metropolis in depth yearly and at present base themselves in Las Vegas.
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