In search of the most effective San Francisco climbing gyms? Begin right here.
San Francisco is considered one of our favourite cities, nevertheless it wasn’t till not too long ago that we began including climbing gyms as a part of our journey itinerary. Fortunately, a few of our native mates pointed us towards the most effective climbing gyms in SF bay space. With so many choices, we put collectively this record that will help you resolve which fitness center to go as to whether you’re visiting or wish to turn out to be 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 30, 2023
Issues to Maintain in Thoughts
- The climbing scene will proceed to vary. After 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 fluctuate and is normally extra drastic at smaller, unbiased gyms vs. company ones.
- Health club climbing has developed and has turn out to be its personal sport. Some gyms cater towards coaching for out of doors climbing, whereas others wish to create a climbing expertise just for fitness center climbers. I’ve observed my out of doors mates like gyms with a number of ‘tensiony’ strikes that prepare them for the outside, however lots of our indoor-only climbing mates are on the lookout for one thing totally 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 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 choose a grade vary, whereas others choose them damaged up. Some gyms are stiffer than others, and a few grades are everywhere, which might be irritating, so we be aware it.
- Neighborhood – That is at all times onerous to match on one-off visits. We obtained some perception from mates, however as a substitute of score the group, we included notes on whether or not a fitness center was beginner-friendly. Some gyms can really feel extra intimidating than others in the event you’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 Cross | Memberships Beginning at $107.54/month
Setting Routine: 1-3 Days Per Set. Resets begin on Mondays.
Varieties of Climbing: Bouldering
Busiest Occasions: Weekdays after Work
Coaching Boards: Moon Board, Campus Board
Different Places: 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 wish to climb or if we wish to come again.
Our different climber mates additionally talked about that this fitness center had the most effective setting. As soon as we began climbing, we noticed how thoughtfully they set every downside. 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. 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 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 matches perhaps 1-2 folks comfortably.
Native Tip: Avenue parking is cheaper, however in the event you can’t discover any, there are just a few 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 Record
2. Pacific Pipe (Touchstone) – Greatest Facilitiesㅤ→
2140 Mandela Parkway, Oakland, CA 94607, map
Setting: 4/5
Facility: 5/5
Charges: $30 Day Cross | Memberships Beginning at $87.08/month
Setting Routine: 5 Week Flip Round
Varieties of Climbing: High 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, 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 huge facility with 55-foot-high lead partitions and an enormous bouldering space that spans two flooring. It has every little thing you would ask for in a climbing fitness center. I haven’t seen every other fitness center with all three: Moon, Stress, and Kilter boards.
We visited after that they had 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 in the event you don’t like busy gyms, chances are you’ll wish to contemplate one other fitness center.
They’re placing in hangboards now, so we’ve up to date the power 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 Cross | Memberships Beginning at $107.54/month
Setting Routine: 1-2 Occasions a Week
Varieties of Climbing: Bouldering
Busiest Occasions: Weekdays after Work
Coaching Boards: Kilter Board, Spray Wall, Campus Board
That is one other fitness center owned by Touchstone, so you possibly can entry it in case you are a Touchstone member. It’s SF’s first bouldering-only fitness center and is big (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 folks there, however our mates advised 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, and so they preserve elevating membership costs with out enhancing the amenities – 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 Cross | 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 Places: Belmont + San Francisco
We went to the Sunnyvale Location in 2016 and had a number of enjoyable climbing again then, however had Paulina assist us with the way it has been since then. Though the amenities are older, they’ve been doing work to improve them. The workers is pleasant.
Room to Enhance: The wifi is unhealthy, which makes it onerous to work from – Paulina
These had been the 4 gyms we visited prior to now, and we’ll let our mates, Paulina and Austin, offer you 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 Cross | Memberships Beginning at $107.54/month
Varieties of Climbing: High 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 fitness center, and though they’ve gone by way of renovations and updates, the age reveals. The roped space is way 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, and so they have horrible customer support. Their staff 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 amenities 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 in the event you stay 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 in the event you’ve climbed all over the 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 fitness center in Santa Rosa. It was a lot smaller than I anticipated, however the amenities 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 amenities 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 pleasurable, 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 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 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 Record
First Timer’s What to Convey
You’ll be able to hire sneakers, chalk, and a harness if it’s your first time. All it’s essential deliver is the next:
Established Climbers Packing Record
For individuals who already climb, don’t overlook these things too! Verify this put up for our favourite of every.
Extras
Lastly, listed here are some miscellaneous objects you possibly can deliver 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 essentially 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 outdoor. Most climbers we’ve seen at gyms are both newbie or intermediate climbers. For those who’re climbing within the superior to the professional vary, we assume you don’t must google gyms and have already got a community of climbing mates telling you the place to climb (however who is aware of… we might be flawed).
- I used to route-set at our previous fitness center in Vegas, so I’ve a primary understanding of what the setting must be and have met many climbers on the lookout for several types of setting kinds.
- We’ve climbed at over 25 gyms everywhere in 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 outdoor 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 or double-digit climbers, folks don’t give us particular therapy. As an Asian man, Jacob can get a superb learn on whether or not the fitness center group is pleasant.
The place to remain in San Francisco
Every other mountain climbing gyms in San Francisco that we missed?? For those who 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 might 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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