On the lookout for the very best San Francisco climbing gyms? Begin right here.
San Francisco is considered one of our favourite cities, however it 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 checklist that will help you resolve which health club to go as to if you’re visiting or wish 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 discovered.
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Final Up to date: January 17, 2023
Issues to Maintain in Thoughts
- The climbing scene will proceed to alter. After we revisit, we’ll regularly replace this submit. 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 differ and is often extra drastic at smaller, impartial gyms vs. company ones.
- Health club climbing has advanced and has turn into its personal sport. Some gyms cater towards coaching for out of doors climbing, whereas others wish to create a climbing expertise just for health club climbers. I’ve observed my out of doors buddies like gyms with a lot of ‘tensiony’ strikes that practice them for the outside, however a lot of our indoor-only climbing buddies 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, sometimes, we’ve discovered that after they make investments extra in maintain selection, in addition they spend money on setters.
- Grading – We’re primarily taking a look at fascinating and enjoyable motion over how they grade their issues. Some climbers choose a grade vary, whereas others choose them damaged up. Some gyms are stiffer than others, and a few grades are in every single place, which could be irritating, so we notice it.
- Group – That is at all times arduous to check on one-off visits. We acquired some perception from buddies, however as an alternative of ranking the group, we included notes on whether or not a health club was beginner-friendly. Some gyms can really feel extra intimidating than others when 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.
Kinds of Climbing: Bouldering
Busiest Occasions: Weekdays after Work
Coaching Boards: Moon Board, Campus Board
Different Areas: North Berkeley
Strolling into Benchmark Climbing, we instantly observed all of the pure gentle 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 buddies additionally talked about that this health club 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 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 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 health club 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 matches possibly 1-2 folks comfortably.
Native Tip: Road parking is cheaper, however when you can’t discover any, there are a couple of parking decks close by. The setting generally is 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 – The Final SF Bucket Checklist
2. Pacific Pipe (Touchstone) – Finest 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
Kinds 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 Occasions: 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 health club 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 all the things you would ask for in a climbing health club. I haven’t seen another health club 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 health club 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, when you don’t like busy gyms, you could wish to think about one other health club.
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 Occasions a Week
Kinds of Climbing: Bouldering
Busiest Occasions: Weekdays after Work
Coaching Boards: Kilter Board, Spray Wall, Campus Board
That is one other health club owned by Touchstone, so you’ll be able to entry it in case you are a Touchstone member. It’s SF’s first bouldering-only health club 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 related setting model right here.
We went proper after they opened, so there have been few folks there, however our buddies informed us throughout peak hours, it will get crowded.
Room to Enhance: The health club is older, so it feels grungy, and the holds are gross. Grades are everywhere in the board, they usually preserve elevating membership costs with out bettering the services – Paulina.
Native Tip: It’s straightforward to entry from CalTrain – Paulina
See – 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
Kinds of Climbing: Bouldering, Prime 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 quite a lot 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 employees is pleasant.
Room to Enhance: The wifi is unhealthy, which makes it arduous to work from – Paulina
These had been the 4 gyms we visited prior to now, and we’ll let our buddies, Paulina and Austin, offer you 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
Kinds 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 Occasions: Weekdays after Work
Coaching Boards: Campus Board
Mission Cliffs is San Francisco’s oldest climbing health club, and though they’ve gone by means 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 pal Austin nonetheless goes right here to work out, primarily out of comfort.
Room to Enhance: Grades are in every single place, holds and partitions are gross, it’s crowded throughout peak hours, they usually have horrible customer support. Their workers take ceaselessly 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 positioned in Uptown Oakland and handy when you dwell 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 exquisite views.
- Motion Belmont – This was the unique Planet Granite health club, now Motion Belmont. It’s small, and the wall angles aren’t nice. It’s not a vacation spot health club, and it’s solely good when you’ve climbed in every single place 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 health club 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 every single place (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 just isn’t pleasing, and a few partitions are arrange in a bit hallway. You’re feeling like you’ll be able to’t climb with out falling on another person.
In Conclusion
As guests, we’ll almost definitely take a look at 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 Convey
You possibly can lease footwear, chalk, and a harness if it’s your first time. All you should convey is the next:
Established Climbers Packing Checklist
For individuals who already climb, don’t overlook this stuff too! Examine this submit for our favourite of every.
Extras
Lastly, listed here are some miscellaneous objects you’ll be able to 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 outdoor. Most climbers we’ve seen at gyms are both newbie or intermediate climbers. When 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 fallacious).
- I used to route-set at our previous health club in Vegas, so I’ve a primary understanding of what the setting ought to be and have met many climbers on the lookout for several types of setting types.
- 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 outdoor year-round have informed 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 remedy. As an Asian male, Jacob can get a superb learn on whether or not the health club group is pleasant.
The place to remain in San Francisco
Some other mountain climbing gyms in San Francisco that we missed?? When you at present go to any of those gyms above, is there something you disagree with or wish to add?
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Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Native Adventurer, one of many high 5 journey blogs within the US. They imagine that journey could 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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