Hit the Rock Wall at These San Diego Climbing Spots

Let’s face it, the regular gym routine can get old. It’s easy to fall into a workout rut – where’s the excitement, the adventure? Where’s the fresh air and scenery? If you’re looking for a thrilling full-body workout that lets you explore nature, you’re not alone. Rock climbing might be the adventure sport/strength training you need to spice up your fitness. Luckily, there are plenty of options for rock-climbing in San Diego for both beginners and vets.

Mesa Rim

For those new to climbing, Mesa Rim is a perfect place to start. Featuring San Diego’s largest and tallest indoor rock wall at 30,000 square feet, Mesa Rim provides plenty of options to enhance your climbing skills. At any given time, there are around 250-275 different routes on the wall, allowing for a unique challenge to experienced climbers and beginners alike. Mesa Rim also has several courses available for those new to the sport, including belaying, climbing technique and lead climbing. For more advanced climbers, the gym offers courses that prepare you for more rigorous outdoor climbs as well. While Mesa Rim offers membership, it also has day passes available for $20, plus $6 for gear rental, if needed. Newbies score a real deal with a $30 package that includes the day pass, gear rental and their first belay lesson. Mesa Rim has two locations in Mission Valley and Mira Mesa.

Grotto

Grotto’s rock wall features 7,000 square feet of colorfully-painted climbing surface. The gym opened two years ago and caters to the younger, athletic crowd. In addition to the artful rock wall, Grotto has a yoga studio, fitness area with free weights and lounge with free wifi. It’s open late all week (‘til midnight!) and offers intro classes for rock climbing and bouldering, which is climbing on a surface low to the ground without ropes (and requires a lot of strength and precision). Day passes are $18.

Vertical Hold

Another great place to get your indoor climb on is Vertical Hold, formerly called Solid Rock. Vertical Hold features four different areas of activity: top ropes, lead climbing, bouldering and fitness training. While top ropes are more suitable for beginner climbers, advanced climbers can take advantage of the higher difficulty lead climbs and bouldering. Bonus: the route setters at Vertical Hold change climbing paths each week, so you’ll get a new and unique challenge nearly every time you climb. The gym is located conveniently in downtown San Diego for those looking to grab a climb after work. Day passes are $17.

Hangtime

If you’ve exhausted the gym scene and you’re ready to try real-life rock climbing, visit Hangtime. This outdoor climbing outfit prides itself on education and safety, and it provides several courses for climbers new to the outdoors to achieve just that. There’s Rock 101, or the basics, but also a class specifically on anchors and rappelling, as well as a self-rescue course, which teaches necessary knowledge for climbing without an instructor. At Hangtime, it’s always time to hang, and they offer full-day climbs at both Mission Trails and Dixon Lake in Escondido for $150. 

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