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On the lookout for the very best San Francisco climbing gyms? Begin right here.
San Francisco is one in every of our favourite cities, but it surely wasn’t till lately that we began including climbing gyms as a part of our journey itinerary. Fortunately, a few of our native buddies pointed us towards the very best climbing gyms in SF bay space. With so many choices, we put collectively this listing that can assist you determine which fitness center to go as to if you’re visiting or need to turn into a member.
We’ve been to over 25 gyms everywhere in 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 30, 2023
Issues to Maintain in Thoughts
- The climbing scene will proceed to vary. Once we revisit, we’ll frequently replace this put up. Over the pandemic, we observed many gyms closing or getting purchased out by bigger gyms.
- Company vs. Impartial Gyms – In the event that they rent a brand new setter, the setting can range and is normally extra drastic at smaller, unbiased gyms vs. company ones.
- Health club climbing has developed and has turn into its personal sport. Some gyms cater towards coaching for outside climbing, whereas others need to create a climbing expertise just for fitness center climbers. I’ve observed my outside buddies like gyms with numerous ‘tensiony’ strikes that prepare them for the outside, however lots of our indoor-only climbing buddies are searching for one thing fully totally different (i.e., comp-style).
- Setting – The setting consists of how enjoyable the climbs are and the number of holds. Though there are exceptions, sometimes, we’ve discovered that after they make investments extra in maintain selection, additionally they put money into setters.
- Grading – We’re primarily attention-grabbing and enjoyable motion over how they grade their issues. Some climbers want a grade vary, whereas others want them damaged up. Some gyms are stiffer than others, and a few grades are everywhere, which may be irritating, so we notice it.
- Neighborhood – That is all the time arduous to check on one-off visits. We received some perception from buddies, however as a substitute of ranking the group, we included notes on whether or not a fitness center was beginner-friendly. Some gyms can really feel extra intimidating than others should you’re new.
The Finest Rock Climbing Gyms in San Francisco Bay Space
1. Benchmark Climbing – Finest Setting and Finest 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.
Varieties of Climbing: Bouldering
Busiest Instances: Weekdays after Work
Coaching Boards: Moon Board, Campus Board
Different Areas: North Berkeley
Strolling into Benchmark Climbing, we instantly observed 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 need to climb or if we need to come again.
Our different climber buddies additionally talked about that this fitness center had the very best setting. As soon as we began climbing, we noticed how thoughtfully they set every drawback. Even the decrease grades had been attention-grabbing and enjoyable, which is commonly an afterthought for setters, particularly at unbiased gyms that don’t have an enormous finances. Once we requested them how lengthy they spend on a set, they informed 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 fitness center in North Berkeley that we’ll be testing on our subsequent go to.
Room to Enhance: They don’t have an enormous exercise part, and the world suits perhaps 1-2 individuals comfortably.
Native Tip: Road parking is cheaper, however should you 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) – Finest Facilitiesㅤ→
2140 Mandela Parkway, Oakland, CA 94607, map
Setting: 4/5
Facility: 5/5
Charges: $30 Day Go | Memberships Beginning at $87.08/month
Setting Routine: 5 Week Flip Round
Varieties of Climbing: High Rope, Lead, and Bouldering
Sq. Footage of the Amenities: 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, Stress Board, Kilter Board, Campus Board
Pacific Pipe, one of many latest Touchstone gyms, is the biggest climbing fitness center 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 every part you possibly can ask for in a climbing fitness center. I haven’t seen another fitness center with all three: Moon, Stress, and Kilter boards.
We visited after they’d a residents comp, so there have been many extra comp issues. The fitness center felt extra inviting to new climbers in comparison with different gyms. However should you don’t like busy gyms, it’s possible you’ll need to take into account one other fitness center.
They’re placing in hangboards now, so we’ve up to date the ability rating from 4.5 to five.
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
Varieties of Climbing: Bouldering
Busiest Instances: Weekdays after Work
Coaching Boards: Kilter Board, Spray Wall, Campus Board
That is one other fitness center owned by Touchstone, so you may entry it if you’re a Touchstone member. It’s SF’s first bouldering-only fitness center and is large (the biggest 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 after they opened, so there have been few individuals there, however our buddies informed us throughout peak hours, it will get crowded.
Room to Enhance: The fitness center is older, so it feels grungy, and the holds are gross. Grades are everywhere in the board, they usually hold elevating membership costs with out enhancing 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
Varieties of Climbing: Bouldering, High Rope, Lead
Sq. Footage of Climbing Partitions: 28,000 sq ft
Variety of Issues Up: 120+ Issues / 150+ Routes
Different Areas: Belmont + San Francisco
We went to the Sunnyvale Location in 2016 and had a variety 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 dangerous, which makes it arduous to work from – Paulina
These had been the 4 gyms we visited previously, and we’ll let our buddies, Paulina and Austin, provide you with perception into the opposite gyms under.
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
Varieties of Climbing: High Rope, Lead, and Bouldering
Sq. Footage of the Amenities: 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 fitness center, and though they’ve gone by way of renovations and updates, the age exhibits. The roped space is far greater, with 50-foot lead partitions, so it’s nice for rope climbers. The bouldering space is small, however they’ve bouldering top-outs. Our buddy Austin nonetheless goes right here to work out, primarily out of comfort.
Room to Enhance: Grades are everywhere, holds and partitions are gross, it’s crowded throughout peak hours, they usually have horrible customer support. Their workers take eternally 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 Heart – has a climbing wall.
- Nice Western Energy Co (Touchstone) – 48-foot-high lead partitions and 1,500 sq toes of bouldering. It’s situated in Uptown Oakland and handy should you dwell within the space.
- Motion San Francisco – this location is true within the coronary heart of the Presidio by the Golden Gate Bridge. They’ve 40-foot climbing partitions, loads of house, and exquisite views.
- Motion Belmont – This was the unique Planet Granite fitness center, now Motion Belmont. It’s small, and the wall angles aren’t nice. It’s not a vacation spot fitness center, and it’s solely good should you’ve climbed in every single place else or it’s probably 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 fitness center 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 everywhere (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 isn’t satisfying, and a few partitions are arrange in somewhat hallway. You’re feeling like you may’t climb with out falling on another person.
In Conclusion
As guests, we’ll probably 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 take pleasure in 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 cross at Benchmark.
Map of Climbing Gyms in San Francisco Bay Space
What to Pack – Climber’s Packing Checklist
First Timer’s What to Deliver
You may lease sneakers, chalk, and a harness if it’s your first time. All you’ll want to convey is the next:
Established Climbers Packing Checklist
For individuals who already climb, don’t neglect this stuff too! Test this put up for our favourite of every.
Extras
Lastly, listed below are some miscellaneous objects you may convey for warming up, coaching, and extra.
Study Extra About Paulina
Paulina Dao is an journey photographer and blogger who loves cats, climbing, snacks, and Taylor Swift, in that order. You’ll find her on the boulders falling off probably the most heinous crimp strains or laying and complaining on her Taylor Swift crash pad. She prefers bouldering (on granite) above all issues, however any climbing is climbing, and rocks are higher than no rocks.
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 buddies telling you the place to climb (however who is aware of… we may very well be mistaken).
- I used to route-set at our previous fitness center in Vegas, so I’ve a fundamental understanding of what the setting ought to be and have met many climbers searching for various kinds of setting kinds.
- We’ve climbed at over 25 gyms everywhere in the US and have a good suggestion of what cities have respectable climbing gyms. Most of those have been in main cities (ABQ, Atlanta, Austin, Bishop, Chattanooga, NY, Portland, San Diego, SF, Seattle, and Vegas). Our buddies who van life and journey to climb open air year-round have informed us that typically, climbing gyms have been worse at higher outside climbing locations, however that may be as a result of many are present in smaller communities.
- Additionally, since we’re not professional or double-digit climbers, individuals don’t give us particular therapy. As an Asian man, Jacob can get an excellent learn on whether or not the fitness center group is pleasant.
The place to remain in San Francisco
Another mountaineering gyms in San Francisco that we missed?? In the event you presently 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 may be discovered close to and much and hope to encourage others to discover domestically. They discover a brand new metropolis in depth yearly and presently base themselves in Las Vegas.
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