Best climbing near palo alto for one day?

I will be in palo alto sunday for a family wedding and I'd like to find some climbing in the area for Saturday.

My gf and I are leaving LA fri night and are looking to climb somewhere on the way up or near palo alto on sat.

Any good trad? Sport works too as a back up.

Thanks.

The closest good trad climbing is Sugarloaf (3 hours), or the valley (more with holiday weekend traffic) - sucks, I know.

Castle Rock has some climbing and it's 30 mins away, it may be fun for an afternoon if you are visiting the area. Mt Diablo as well, slightly further. Those are mostly sport (there are some gear climbs, but they are not great).

How about table mountain? I know its up Sonoma pass but that may be a good one day stop. Never climbed basalt or hex shaped pillars.

Is it open? Anything to know about it other than what's posted in the destination section?

Bandito looks really good.

How about Pinnacles? If you came up 101 it's right enroute.

Ian Buckley wrote:How about Pinnacles? If you came up 101 it's right enroute.

Looks like pretty crappy rock. I'd prefer quality with a little longer drive. I live and climb at texas canyon and it's a mess of loose choss. Looks as if pinnacles is the same.

I assume Sonora Pass is open?

May drive up 395 head west to palo alto stopping at table mountains.

Planet Granite climbing gym in Sunnyvale . Best crack climbing in the Bay Area .

Pinnacles has a rich history of bold traditional and bolted climbs . I wouldn't write it off without at least a visit ...

The Grotto at Table mountain is a good option too, yeah - cool basalt columns. A little closer than Sugarloaf. mountainproject.com/v/the-g…

Table Mountain Grotto Area in Sonoma Pass looks like the choice. I assume everything is open?

Anyone been there lately? Is the poison oak out in full force?

randy88fj62 wrote:Table Mountain Grotto Area in Sonoma Pass looks like the choice. I assume everything is open? Anyone been there lately? Is the poison oak out in full force?

I was there in early March, and everything in the Grotto is open. Didn't notice too much poision oak on the approach to the Grotto then, not sure about now. High or higher clearance vehicle recommended for the rutted dirt section of Shell Road to get to the last locked gate, though I have seen compact cars make it somehow. Otherwise, you could just hike the last section.

randy88fj62 wrote:I assume Sonora Pass is open? May drive up 395 head west to palo alto stopping at table mountains.

at that point you may as well climb granite on Sonora Pass or Tuolumne or pine creek.

splitclimber wrote: at that point you may as well climb granite on Sonora Pass or Tuolumne or pine creek.

I have never climbed on hex shaped basalt so it's something of a novelty to try the table mountain area at Sonora Pass. I get out to Tuolumne a lot during the summer.

Since I have to be up further north for a wedding I might as well take advantage and climb in a new area with some beautiful formations.

I wouldn't really consider Sonora Pass all that close to Palo Alto, but you're doing the driving.
My vote would be for Pinnacles. I personally really enjoy the climbing there but it is a bit of an acquired taste.

There are some kind of fun crags in San Luis Obispo too.

+1 on Castle Rock...close but not a ton of fun.
+1 on Pinnacles NATIONAL Park. You can just go there and climb for a fun day with out knowing too much about the area. The rock is good!

Ended up enjoying the grotto area at table mountain. Had the area to ourselves and the crack climbing was fun. Trail in wasn't bad at all from a poison oak perspective.