On the lookout for the perfect San Francisco climbing gyms? Begin right here.
San Francisco is certainly one 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 perfect climbing gyms in SF bay space. With so many choices, we put collectively this listing that will help you determine which health club to go as to if you’re visiting or need to turn 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.
Final Up to date: January 17, 2023
Issues to Maintain in Thoughts
- The climbing scene will proceed to vary. Once 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 range and is often extra drastic at smaller, unbiased gyms vs. company ones.
- Fitness center climbing has advanced 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 health club climbers. I’ve seen my outside buddies like gyms with a number 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 completely 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 spend money on setters.
- Grading – We’re primarily taking a look at attention-grabbing 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 far and wide, which may be irritating, so we notice it.
- Neighborhood – That is at all times exhausting to match on one-off visits. We obtained some perception from buddies, however as a substitute of score the group, we included notes on whether or not a health club was beginner-friendly. Some gyms can really feel extra intimidating than others if you happen to’re new.
The Finest Rock Climbing Gyms in San Francisco Bay Space
1. Benchmark Climbing – Finest Setting and Finest Total
1414 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109, map
Setting: 5/5
Facility: 4.5/5
Charges: $30 Day Move | Memberships Beginning at $107.54/month
Setting Routine: 1-3 Days Per Set. Resets begin on Mondays.
Kinds of Climbing: Bouldering
Busiest Instances: Weekdays after Work
Coaching Boards: Moon Board, Campus Board
Different Areas: North Berkeley
Strolling into Benchmark Climbing, we instantly seen all of the pure mild and wooden tones. We appreciated their clear, trendy 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 health club had the perfect setting. As soon as we began climbing, we noticed how thoughtfully they set every downside. Even the decrease grades have been attention-grabbing and enjoyable, which is commonly an afterthought for setters, particularly at unbiased gyms that don’t have an enormous funds. 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 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 world matches possibly 1-2 folks comfortably.
Native Tip: Avenue parking is cheaper, however if you happen to can’t discover any, there are a couple of parking decks close by. The setting is usually 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 Listing
2. Pacific Pipe (Touchstone) – Largest Facility
2140 Mandela Parkway, Oakland, CA 94607, map
Setting: 4/5
Facility: 4.5/5
Charges: $30 Day Move | 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 Instances: Weekdays after Work, Weekends
Coaching Boards: Moon Board, Rigidity 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 huge facility with 55-foot-high lead partitions and an enormous bouldering space that spans two flooring. It has virtually all the pieces you would ask for in a climbing health club. I haven’t seen another health club with all three: Moon, Rigidity, and Kilter boards.
We visited after they’d 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, if you happen to don’t like busy gyms, you could need to think about one other health club.
Native Tip: There’s free parking across the constructing.
3. Dogpatch Boulders (Touchstone) – The Largest Bouldering Fitness center
2573 third St, San Francisco, CA 94107, map
Setting: 3.5/5
Facility: 3.5/5
Charges: $30 Day Move | Memberships Beginning at $107.54/month
Setting Routine: 1-2 Instances a Week
Kinds of Climbing: Bouldering
Busiest Instances: 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 if you’re 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 comparable setting type 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 all around the board, they usually maintain elevating membership costs with out bettering the services – Paulina.
Native Tip: It’s simple to entry from CalTrain – Paulina
See – 25 Free Issues to Do in San Francisco California
4. Motion Sunnyvale
815 Stewart Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, map
Setting: 4/5
Facility: 3/5
Charges: $30 Day Move | 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 lots 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 exhausting to work from – Paulina
These have been the 4 gyms we visited prior to now, and we’ll let our buddies, Paulina and Austin, provide you with perception into the opposite gyms beneath.
5. Mission Cliffs (Touchstone)
2295 Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94110, map
Setting: 3/5
Facility: 2/5
Charges: $30 Day Move | 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 Instances: 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 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 good friend Austin nonetheless goes right here to work out, primarily out of comfort.
Room to Enhance: Grades are far and wide, holds and partitions are gross, it’s crowded throughout peak hours, they usually have horrible customer support. Their staff take endlessly 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 an enormous bouldering space. The services are older, although.
- Bladium’s Rock Wall and Bouldering Fitness center
- ClubSport Pleasanton
- Diablo Rock Fitness center (Touchstone)
- Glen Park Recreation Middle – 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 if you happen to reside 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 if you happen to’ve climbed all over the 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 health club in Santa Rosa. It was a lot smaller than I anticipated, however the services have been good, with seating and consuming areas (5/5). The setting was far and wide (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 will not be pleasant, and a few partitions are arrange in a bit of hallway. You’re feeling like you’ll be able to’t climb with out falling on another person.
In Conclusion
As guests, we’ll probably 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 have 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 Fitness center, Pacific Pipe, Dogpatch Boulders, Nice Western Energy Co) and SoCal after which get a punch move at Benchmark.
Map of Climbing Gyms in San Francisco Bay Space
What to Pack – Climber’s Packing Listing
First Timer’s What to Convey
You’ll be able to lease sneakers, chalk, and a harness if it’s your first time. All it is advisable to carry is the next:
Established Climbers Packing Listing
For many 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’ll be able to carry 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 outside. 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 buddies telling you the place to climb (however who is aware of… we could possibly be mistaken).
- 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 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 buddies who van life and journey to climb outside year-round have informed us that usually, climbing gyms have been worse at higher outside climbing locations, however that is also 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 great learn on whether or not the health club group is pleasant.
The place to remain in San Francisco
Every other mountain climbing gyms in San Francisco that we missed?? For those who presently go to any of those gyms above, is there something you disagree with or want to add?
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Esther and Jacob are the founders of Native Adventurer, one of many high 5 journey blogs within the US. They imagine that journey may be discovered close to and much and hope to encourage others to discover regionally. They discover a brand new metropolis in depth yearly and presently base themselves in Las Vegas.
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