SF Bay Area

Dave on Gimme My Forty Sucka, Hidden Boulder

Old Training Ground Meets Locals' Playground 

While not generally thought of as a destination area for rock climbing, the pure number of visitors that head to the bay area for other purposes make this a great location for a quick day on the rock in between other commitments.

You can climb year round in the Bay Area, provided that winter rains haven't pummeled the area too recently. Often, inland areas are extremely hot in the summer, though the coastal areas will stay pleasant.

American Big Wall climbing took its first roots here, with locals practicing their skills on local rocks before heading to Yosemite for its renowned cliffs. Almost every area that has a chimney in Northern California was first climbed by Warren Harding or Forrest Shute, and you will often see a piton stuck in the rock left over from climbers of another age.

Berkeley, Castle Rock and Sonoma will hold your attention for a great day of bouldering. Mount Saint Helena or Lover's Leap (in the Tahoe Area, but still only about 2 hours drive from most locations), or Table Mountain for a sport or trad experience.

Visitors and locals alike should check out the area along the Sonoma coast for a sport or bouldering experience unique to California, where waves, wind and rock found only here make an unforgettable day's climbing.

People with several days free in the Bay Area will probably want to head East to the Tahoe area in the Summer or Fall, to Yosemite for the trad folks, and perhaps all the way out (6-8 hours) to the Eastern Sierra areas like Bishop and Mammoth for a world class alpine, sport, or bouldering experience.

Unfortunately, a significant portion of the best climbing in the Bay Area is on private property, and unless you're in the know, you don't get to go.

The Classics

Featured Route For SF Bay Area

Krokus 5.11d R  CA : SF Bay Area : ... : Indian Rock - Castle Rock

Located in the middle of the south side, this route is nearly always in the shade. This interesting climb isn't too much about power, just keeping yourself balanced on a route with minimal footholds. There's a 5.11 move in the bottom near the first bolt that involves a smear move, and then sustained 5.11 lieback from the second bolt to the top, getting tougher as you move up. The crux is getting yourself to the top anchors, as the feet are non-ex...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of SF Bay Area Slideshow

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Frank Santos bouldering at The Mezzones. Now close...	Roscoe at The Mezzones. Photo by Blitzo.	Dave at The Mezzones. Photo by Blitzo.
The Grateful Dead at Oakland Coliseum, February, 1...	The Golden Gate. Photo by Blitzo.	Mezzones. Photo by Blitzo.