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Santa Barbara to Seattle, where would you climb?

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Troy T · · Ridgway, CO · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 10

I'll be in Santa Barbara for a wedding then driving north to Seattle to pick up my partner to continue to Squamish. I'll have a 5 days to get up there. If you were making the trip, where would you stop on the way north? Looking to hug the coast. I'll be with the wife so bouldering / sport options, or if you want to get out and show us, I'll belay and buy the beers. I know nothing of the area, probably going to stop and see the redwoods. Any advice would be much appreciated.

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

When are you heading out from Santa Barbara? There are no dates in your post.

Joe Garibay · · Ventura, Ca · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 86

Castle rock SP in Santa Cruz for bouldering

Troy T · · Ridgway, CO · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 10

Sorry about that. I will be leaving Sept 7, Labor Day.

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

Approximately two hours north of Santa Barbara is San Luis Obispo. Our local crag is Bishop Peak:

mountainproject.com/v/bisho…

If you were there by 9 AM, I could show you two around for a few (3-4) hours and climb some routes. Otherwise, it's still a fun climbing area and MP has many of the routes (so you don't need a guidebook)

Rob Gordon · · Hollywood, CA · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 115

I would climb in Santa Barbara first. Flies might be an issue this time of year but if you hit Brickyard early or at sunset should be pretty damn nice. One of my favorite places to Boulder.

Rob Gordon · · Hollywood, CA · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 115

Also, it's not on the coast, but if you haven't been to Yosemite it's sort of criminal to not go...

Bapgar 1 · · Out of the Loop · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 90

Lost Rocks right at the mouth of the Klamath river.

Alan Zhan · · Seattle, WA · Joined Jul 2013 · Points: 156

The sport at Santa Barbara is a bit subpar, but the bouldering is super fun if it hasn't rained in the past 2-3 days (sandstone protocol :(!! )

Brickyard and Lizard's Mouth are the two big places for bouldering, and they're all within a minutes drive + short approach from each other. Bouldering on some decent sandstone with an amazing view of the coastline. Potter's Point is also a great place that is more secluded (longer hike), but better views (imo). Potter's is definitely less developed (more friable sandstone), but there's a lot of climbing there.

Before Santa Barbara, there is Pine Mountain near Ojai (~45 min-hour drive) which has plenty of camping and is a massive sandstone bouldering spot.

up the coast, I'd stay along the 1, not much climbing, but I'm sure you know of Big Sur. Very fun drive, and awesome scenery along the way.

Castle Rocks is a bit northeast of Santa Cruz, and has high quality sandstone bouldering as well.

Near Klamath there is the Lost Rocks, if you have camping equipment, there are some secluded camping spots at a backpacking camping spot that is right off the beach. Rock is a bit friable in some places, and you'd need to watch the tides, but bouldering on the beach is a must do!!

Along Seattle, you can take an ~hour detour along the 2 to get to Index (hardman trad, and some sport) which is amazing granite, and also Gold Bar, which is some great granite bouldering.

Joe Garibay · · Ventura, Ca · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 86

Caution with pine mountain. Fantastic bouldering spot but I think the gate to get up the road is closed due to the high fire danger

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