5 Greatest San Francisco Climbing Gyms + Bay Space » Native Adventurer
On the lookout for one of the best San Francisco climbing gyms? Begin right here.
San Francisco is one in all our favourite cities, but it surely 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 one of the best climbing gyms in SF bay space. With so many choices, we put collectively this checklist that can assist you resolve which fitness center 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 discovered.
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Final Up to date: January 30, 2023
Issues to Hold in Thoughts
- The climbing scene will proceed to vary. After we revisit, we’ll regularly replace this put up. Over the pandemic, we observed 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 normally extra drastic at smaller, impartial gyms vs. company ones.
- Fitness center climbing has developed 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 fitness center climbers. I’ve observed my out of doors mates like gyms with a number of ‘tensiony’ strikes that practice them for the outside, however lots of our indoor-only climbing mates are on the lookout for one thing totally totally different (i.e., comp-style).
- Setting – The setting contains 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 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 could be irritating, so we observe it.
- Neighborhood – That is at all times onerous to match on one-off visits. We acquired some perception from mates, however as a substitute of score the neighborhood, we included notes on whether or not a fitness center was beginner-friendly. Some gyms can really feel extra intimidating than others when 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 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 observed 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 wish to climb or if we wish to come again.
Our different climber mates additionally talked about that this fitness center had one of the 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 usually 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 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 when you can’t discover any, there are a number 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 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 Move | Memberships Beginning at $87.08/month
Setting Routine: 5 Week Flip Round
Kinds 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 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 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 thing you can ask for in a climbing fitness center. I haven’t seen another fitness center 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 fitness center felt extra inviting to new climbers in comparison with different gyms. However when you don’t like busy gyms, you could 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 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 fitness center owned by Touchstone, so you’ll be able to entry it if you’re a Touchstone member. It’s SF’s first bouldering-only fitness center 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 fashion 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 fitness center is older, so it feels grungy, and the holds are gross. Grades are all around the board, and so they hold elevating membership costs with out enhancing the amenities – Paulina.
Native Tip: It’s simple 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 Move | Memberships Beginning at $91/month
Kinds 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 loads 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 employees 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 Move | Memberships Beginning at $107.54/month
Kinds 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 Instances: Weekdays after Work
Coaching Boards: Campus Board
Mission Cliffs is San Francisco’s oldest climbing fitness center, 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 good friend 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 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 an enormous bouldering space. The amenities are older, although.
- Bladium’s Rock Wall and Bouldering Fitness center
- ClubSport Pleasanton
- Diablo Rock Fitness center (Touchstone)
- Glen Park Recreation Heart – 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 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 house, and delightful 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 when you’ve climbed in all places 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 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 shouldn’t be pleasing, and a few partitions are arrange in a little bit hallway. You’re feeling like you’ll be able to’t climb with out falling on another person.
In Conclusion
As guests, we are going to almost certainly 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 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 Record
First Timer’s What to Carry
You possibly can hire sneakers, chalk, and a harness if it’s your first time. All you might want to carry is the next:
Established Climbers Packing Record
For individuals who already climb, don’t overlook this stuff too! Verify this put up for our favourite of every.
Extras
Lastly, listed here are some miscellaneous gadgets you’ll be able to carry 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 will discover 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 outdoor. 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 unsuitable).
- I used to route-set at our outdated fitness center in Vegas, so I’ve a fundamental 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 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 mates who van life and journey to climb outdoor year-round have advised us that typically, climbing gyms have been worse at higher out of doors climbing locations, however that is also 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 remedy. As an Asian man, Jacob can get a great learn on whether or not the fitness center neighborhood is pleasant.
The place to remain in San Francisco
Some other mountain climbing gyms in San Francisco that we missed?? In the event you at the moment 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 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 the moment base themselves in Las Vegas.
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