Updated June 29, 2021
California is home to some of the worlds best climbing so it’s no surprise that the Los Angeles climbing gym scene is booming. There’s no denying Los Angeles is a large, but luckily this is reflected in the number of rock climbing gyms and their locations – so you’ll never have to go too far to find a gym for you. Whether you’re training for your next epic, or just to get fit, this list of the best rock climbing gyms in Los Angeles has you sorted.
Get Psyched To Send Hard With This List Of The Best Rock Climbing Gyms in Los Angeles
The Stronghold Climbing Gym
- Location: 650 South Avenue 21, CA 90031
- Types of Climbing: Bouldering, Top Rope, Autobelay, Lead Climbing
Built inside an old steam power plant, Stronghold was one of the first downtown climbing gyms to throw up some ropes. Their 46 foot tall walls contain some of the best climbing in Los Angeles with hundreds of routes and even some cracks if you’re training for your next outdoor pain party. There are also hundreds of bouldering routes to hone your skills on and a dedicated system and campus area called The Pit to really step up your grade.
You’ll find yourself incorporating this Los Angeles climbing gym into your everyday life in no time, using the weight, cardio, sauna, and shower facilities that come with your membership. Plus, unlimited free access to both the fitness and yoga classes will help keep fighting fit and you’ll always have something to do.
Sender One
- Location: 11220 Hindry Ave, CA 90045
- Types of Climbing: Bouldering, Top Rope, Autobelay, Lead Climbing, Speed Climbing
The biggest climbing gym in Orange County, Los Angeles, Sender One is a world class center featuring 50 foot tall walls and extensive facilities. Their impressive overhangs will have you pumped and sending even harder in no time. Built for the classy new age climbers who appreciate a towel service and all the latest holds with their memberships this Los Angeles climbing gym is well worth a visit.
Those of you who appreciate a good training session won’t have any problem squeezing one in. Their training area features weight and cardio equipment, with a whole balcony for those who prefer to pull hard on small holds – Fingerboards, Moon boards, and Kilter boards are at your fingertips to satisfy your crimp cravings.
LA Boulders
- Location: 1375 E 6th Street #8, CA 90021
- Types of Climbing: Bouldering
LA boulders is an extensive bouldering facility with around 180 routes at any time and regular resetting to stave off any boredom, so you’ll have to put the time in to make sure you send your projects before they get taken down. This is one of the four Touchstone climbing and fitness centers, each of which offer different facilities and classes. LA boulders offer too many types of yoga and bootcamp training which come as a discounted price for members. However, their membership allows you to climb at any of the other Touchstone locations mentioned below, giving you access to even more climbing gyms and their facilities across Los Angeles.
Hollywood Boulders
- Location: 1107 North Bronson Ave, CA 90038
- Types of Climbing: Bouldering
Falling under the Touchstone umbrella, Hollywood Boulders is 11,000 square foot of pure bouldering and training so you can really master your craft and crimp your way to the top. Campus boards and fingerboards are available if you want to work on your finger strength, while a 30 degree woody will get you working on your body tension. Lockers, saunas, showers, and a complementary towel service make it easy to pop your things away and freshen up afterwards, so you can slot in a morning climb and still turn up to work not covered in chalk. Overall this Los Angeles climbing gym is a real hot spot for anyone looking for some vertical fun.
Cliffs of ID
- Location: 2537 S. Fairfax, Culver City, CA 90232
- Types of Climbing: Bouldering, Top Rope, Autobelay, Lead Climbing
Yet another of the many Touchstone climbing gyms in Los Angeles, the Cliffs of ID is their biggest location with 16,000 square foot of bouldering and an additional 11,000 square foot of roped climbing, this impressive center will satisfy even the hardest crushers. Weights and cardio equipment sit in a fancy workout studio, which means you don’t have to listen to any extra power screaming than you already do. Plus, all the climbing specific training equipment you could want is at your fingertips, including a moon board to test yourself against climbers across the world. Finally, the standard lockers, saunas, showers, and a complementary towel service are also offered here.
Verdigo Boulders
- Location: 266 E Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502
- Types of Climbing: Bouldering
The last of Touchstone’s Los Angeles climbing gyms, Verdigo Boulders features 7,000 square foot of bouldering, an extensive number of hangboards to choose from, a comprehensive campus board, and plenty of weight and cardio equipment. Even though you’re unlikely to run out of climbing, just remember you can always visit any of their other locations with a monthly membership. All of the Touchstone locations also have in house shops and they’ll be a whole gym of people to help you pick out your next pair of climbing shoes.
Rockreation
- Location: 11866 La Grange Ave, CA 90025
- Types of Climbing: Bouldering, Top Rope, Lead Climbing
With a sweet traverse to help you get warmed up Rockreation is a gym that’ll support your growth as a climber. They’ve got plenty of staff and classes to help show you the way, and loads of sweet climbing for those of you already crushing it. Classes aren’t just in climbing either, they’ve got yoga, fitness, and youth sessions, so everyone can get involved. So if you’re keen to throw shapes this 10,000 square foot of climbing will satisfy.
Long Beach Rising
- Location: 205 East Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA, 90813
- Types of Climbing: Bouldering
Bringing new school to the block, Long Beach Rising is keeping things hip and fresh, revitalizing a near 100 year old building with wood walls and gnarly sets. Their climbing camps will set you up for the send, while their outdoor fitness area will get you training for your next epic. Priding themselves on only setting ‘bangerz’, it’s safe to say you’ll be coming back for more. If that wasn’t enough they’ve also got a moon board and adjustable tension board to keep you satisfied.
Hangar 18 South Bay
- Location: Hangar 18 Long Beach, 2599 East Willow Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755
- Types of Climbing: Bouldering, Top Rope, Autobelay, Lead Climbing
An impressive 12,000 square foot of climbing can be found at Hangar 18’s South Bay location. Regardless of how high you want to go, or if you’re alone or with friends, Hangar 18’s got you covered. Bouldering and autobelays are at the ready should you find yourself looking for an extra session, while top rope and lead walls cater perfectly to pairs. If you’re new to the whole thing there are courses to take you from beginner through to competent climber. Additionally, yoga classes are available if you need that extra motivation booster to get flexible. Membership grants you access to all of their locations which means climbing gyms across and around Los Angeles.
Hangar 18 Long Beach
- Location: Hangar 18 Long Beach, 2599 East Willow Street, Signal Hill, CA 90755
- Types of Climbing: Bouldering, Top Rope, Autobelay, Lead Climbing
Similar to their South Bay location Hangar 18 at Long Beach is another do all center. Every type of climbing is on offer, including scaling your way up a few old-school textured walls which will leave you with all kinds of slow healing scrapes. However, if that’s not your jam, don’t worry, there are also regular painted plywood walls with over 100 well set blocs, and that’s just the boulders. If you’re psyched on reddit’s r/climbharder don’t worry there are also dedicated yoga and training areas just for you.
Boulderdash
- Location: 19801 Nordhoff Place, Unit 110, Chatsworth, CA 91311
- Types of Climbing: Bouldering, Top Rope, Autobelay, Lead Climbing
Welcoming climbers of all abilities (including no abilities), Boulderdash is 13,000 square foot of pure air conditioned climbing. Freestanding top out boulders will get you rocking on your heels like a pro, and avoiding that reel of belly shuffling that makes you look like a fish out of water — More commonly known as: The Font Flop. Gear can be rented, but you’ll need your own rope to lead climb. If you’re brand new to the sport teaching classes will get you started, while technique clinics are also available to get you to the next level. So dash over for a climb at one of the best climbing gyms in Los Angeles.
Additional Resources for Rock Climbing in Los Angeles
What to Bring
Everyone’s checklist
- Clothes – There’s no best outfit for climbing and figuring out what to wear is always a little tricky when you’re just starting. Shorts or trousers? Honestly, just dress for the temperature and any sportswear will do. Although protecting your knees is often a good idea, and going from climbing to casual without changing in a good pair of trousers can save you space in your gym bag. Honestly as long as it’s stretchy you’ll be fine, but if you can get a pair with a diamond gusset like Hippy Tree’s Sierra Pants or Patagonia’s Venga Rock Pants, you won’t regret it. Shorts wise, anything baggy or stretchy would also be fine, but I have noticed the cool kids do like to wear Prana’s Mojo Shorts. IF IT IS YOUR FIRST TIME – BRING SOCKS (those rentals aren’t getting any newer)
- Water – Any respectable athlete will tell you that staying hydrated is really important, and any climber will tell you there are 3 options for bottles, all of which you must plaster in stickers. They are: The old reliable BPA free Nalgene, the elite Hydroflask, and finally the eco friendly Klean Kanteen.
- Snacks – There is quite frankly nothing better than a little nibble when you’ve been trying hard, but a full meal will probably derail your journey on the send train. Personally, I always carry some sort of cereal bar to keep me going mid session such as Cliff Bars or RXBARs.
- Tape – I’m talking good sticky zinc tape. Offered by a host of climbing brands and easily bought at your local gym, tape is used to save some skin or seal up that flapper. Metolius makes my favorite, but there’s plenty of options out there.
- Hand Balm – There’s plenty on the market, but I’ve had the same nub of climb on for a couple of years and it’s doing me good. Although, I did recently get a tub of Joshua Tree and that stuff really works.
- Nail clippers – Now this is super underrated and honestly the last thing you want is to be the one making horrible scratching noises every time you crimp. Additionally, long toenails can make squeezing your feet into already tight climbing shoes all the more painful, so be sure to pick up a pair and throw them in your bag.
Established climbers checklist
- Climbing Shoes – The staple of all climbing, a great selection can be found online here. Picking the right shoe can be really tricky, but look out for our future advice article.
- Chalk Bag – Sweaty hands are the bane of a climbers existence. We carry chalk to quickly deal with those sweaty tips and up the friction. Chalk comes in balls, loose, bricks, or liquid, whilst the bags come in all shapes and sizes. Boulderers might prefer ‘buckets‘ to avoid losing your chalk in a tumble.
- Harness – These are much of the same, but some are particularly light to help you hit the higher grades, though they often end up losing a couple of features. Some of the best do-all harnesses include Petzl Adjama, Black Diamond Momentum, and Mammut Sender Fast Adjust which feature enough gear loops for getting into more complex climbing, as well as adjustable leg loops for when you need to layer up.
- Belay Plate – There are really only 3 factors to consider when choosing one of these; what you learnt to use, where you want to take your climbing, and the cost. Standard ATC, Guide ATCs and Assisted Braking Devices all work, but it’s really all down to personal choice. The flexibility of guide plates make them a favorite amongst those looking transfer their knowledge outdoors, while assisted devices can feel more secure to beginners.
- Brush – You only need a small personal brush for when the chalk has built up and make the holds smooth, a lot of gyms do provide them so you don’t need one. Saying that, why not accessorize your chalk bag with a colorful brush like these Lapis Boar hair brushes!
- Rope – When you get to leading you’ll probably want your own rope, but if you’re climbing indoors avoid making the ‘I need a light skinny rope to send’ mistake. You’re going to be running loads of laps, so get a good thick dynamic rope like this 9.9mm aptly named Workhorse rope from Mammut or even a fat 10.2mm from Black Diamond that’ll stand up to heavy gym abuse. Also, since you’ll be indoors you can skip any dry treatments that push the price upwards.
- Backpack – You’ll need a gym bag of sorts to help you lug all this around, and how big you go is totally up to you and what you’re going to be carrying. If you’re just hitting up the bouldering gym, or don’t mind wondering around with the rope on show, then a good 15-20L bag like the AR 20 from Arc’teryx is ideal. Plus it’ll suit all your future fast and light days. Going up to 20-35L, will let you start packing those extra layers and maybe get the rope inside your bag too. At this size Patagonia’s Crag Smith is full of features and makes a great all round day pack!
Post send and extras
- Belay Gloves – By no means do you need belay gloves, but some people like to keep their hands a little safer just in case (some people do let go if the rope starts to burn their hands). The trick to these gloves is leather palms to achieve the right friction. Outdoor research make a great set called the Fossil Rock Gloves, and they’re fingerless for both breathability and style points.
- Crack Climbing Gloves – If you’ve been inspired by the Wide Boyz, but are tired of ripping tape off the back of your hands then a pair of the new Black Diamond Crack Gloves or Outdoor Research’s Splitter Gloves could be for you.
- Skin File – If your calluses are getting a bit dry and you’re starting to get the equivalent of a hangnail in the middle of your finger, this is a sure fire way to end up with one big flapper. You can file it down with one of Climbskin’s portable solutions and avoid that week of taping up an avoidable mistake.
- Shoe deodorant – Climbing shoes get notoriously smelly, lucky I’ve got 2 great solutions for you – Boot Bananas and Disinfectant spray, I genuinely use these and they work a treat and when I run out the shoes stay out my bag.
- Acupressure Ring – Who knows if these work or not, but I’ve been using one religiously on a pulley injury and I think it’s helped a lot. They’re pretty cheap, so why not?
- Long Term Antiperspirant Treatments – Good skin care is important to keep you in top climbing shape. Rhino Skin Solutions are a great brand, endorsed and used by all the big names in climbing, with the big benefit of reducing sweating. I mean the less time you’re hanging around chalking up, the more energy you’ll have to send. The job lot Skin Abuse Pack and their Tip Juice might help you push your grades sooner.
