OC Gym Recommendation

I’ll be in Cypress for several weeks for family reasons. I have trips to Joshua Tree and Cochise Stronghold planned while down there, so I’d like to keep some climbing fitness. I am a very infrequent gym climber. I see that there are several climbing gyms in the region. I am looking for recommendations based on proximity, best price for drop ins (or any NYear 10 pass deals), crowding, variety of routes, etc. I prefer lead climbing but without a partner and climbing daytime midweek, a place with auto belays or good bouldering is probably best. Thank you in advance.

Michael

Sender One is the nicer gym but Hanger 18 has much better prices for both punch cards and single months. 

Thanks Andrew, I will check them both out.

Hanger 18 (Orange) is a bouldering only gym, if that fits the bill. 

Sender One (Santa Ana) isn't the closest gym with lead climbing (Rockreation, Costa Mesa is), though Sender has a taller and bigger facility.

Edited to add: 

Sender day passes or 10 day passes are more expensive than Rockreation (Rockreation also has a 5 day pass offer), and Sender is far more crowded. But, if you are looking to find partners with whom to climb, Sender might be better. 

Sender routes tend to be very soft, Rockreation's are sometimes unreasonably sandbagged.

I don't like Rockcreation just for the size alone.  When it was the only game in town, it was fine, but other than convenience I can't think of a good reason to choose it over Sender.

I wanted to respond more given your comment that you plan on hitting Cochise.  It is a great place but it's not exactly close.  It's a couple hours south of Tucson, which is about an 8 hour drive (give or take) from the LA/OC area.  You will absolutely love it if you can swing it, but plan on a few days (maybe hitting Mt. Lemmon as well) if you make the journey.  Keep in mind that it can get pretty cold there.  I went over New Years a while back and it snowed.  When the sun came it, it was still freezing and some routes became a hazard because of falling ice.  I suspect my experience was not typical, but check the weather before making the drive.  

Sender One Santa Ana is nice. Routes are definitely soft, but the facility is cool. Pricey.

Hangar 18 Orange is a cool little bouldering gym. I hear it used to be better when it was still The Factory. Depending on when you visit the gym can get super overcrowded. I'm talking have to queue up outside and wait to be let in bouncer style. This can be avoided if you don't visit after 5pm. But it's more affordable than Sender One.

Fat Dad wrote:

I don't like Rockcreation just for the size alone.  When it was the only game in town, it was fine, but other than convenience I can't think of a good reason to choose it over Sender.

I wanted to respond more given your comment that you plan on hitting Cochise.  It is a great place but it's not exactly close.  It's a couple hours south of Tucson, which is about an 8 hour drive (give or take) from the LA/OC area.  You will absolutely love it if you can swing it, but plan on a few days (maybe hitting Mt. Lemmon as well) if you make the journey.  Keep in mind that it can get pretty cold there…

Thanks all for the info. My dad is equidistant to Sender, Hangar and Rockcreation so I’ll go check them all. I set aside a week for Cochise with travel, weather dependent. Snow in ORG, Joshua Tree and Red Rocks, t-shirt climbing at Donner Summit and Smith…winter climbing is always a crap shoot.