Mission Cliffs Climbing & Fitness

So crowded with a sea of flesh that I thought I entered Dante’s Inferno. An ocean of people who talked loudly ad nauseum about boring topics like shuttle rides and commuting.
The routes seemed ok, if they were not crawling with people stacked on people like that zombie hill from World War Z.

This is likely a great place to climb. Not that I would know. Here’s why.
Years ago, I had moved to San Francisco and would get tacos across the street at the El Tonayense truck. Mission Cliffs always intrigued me so I decided to check it out and inquire about a starter program. As soon as I walked in carrying a plastic bag of to go tacos from across the street, the gentleman at the counter said firmly and dismissively, ‘WE DIDN’T ORDER ANYTHING’
should the fact that I am non-​white matter at all? I understand one person does not represent an entire company, but unfortunately that’s what happens sometimes when that person is the one that greets you at the door.
I’d encourage anyone to take a trip to Japan and experience what customer service means to them.

The membership fee is a bit steep, but you get what you pay for in the quantity & quality of routes, as well as weights, yoga, and cardio equipment. Not to mention access to all touchstone gyms as well. Towel service is also included.
The bouldering area is adequate — nothing spectacular, but you wouldn’t go here for solely bouldering anyways. I like the smooth texture of the wall. It’s a tiny detail, but I’ve been to gyms with very rough walls that have scuffed up my knees and pants.
Also really appreciate all of the bike racks set up at the front of the gym.
One ask I’d have is to have a warm up wall for traversing. Other than that, awesome gym.

I really wanted to love Mission Cliffs but I just cancelled my membership
I wanted to get into climbing and was excited to see this place upon moving to the city. I’m an avid backpacker, having grown up living with both the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail in my backyard. Pairing climbing adventures with my long distance hiking trips seemed like a great plan…
…but Mission cliffs wasn’t the place to start. It’s very crowded with large groups of people and if you don’t have any climbing friends, good luck.
There are people standing around EVERYWHERE and I’m not really sure most of them even make it to the wall for more than a few minutes.
I asked the staff if they wouldn’t mind giving me some pointers, and belay me, but they were too busy.
I did my best to come at off times but that’s really not possible if you work a normal schedule The crowds make the place feel unsafe and a big stressful mess.
The gym is 4 blocks from my house and I still couldn’t find a down time. Every single day, the place is packed.
I used the gym twice after finding the climbing part of the gym to be really packed before I realized the crowds aren’t any better in the small space they set aside and you end up wasting more time than exercising.
It’s just not worth the headache unless you can come during the day or maybe early in the morning.
I’m checking out Planet Granite instead.

Rock climbing is an excellent combination of strength and cardio training. If you don’t like lifting weights or running, I definitely recommend rock climbing.
I like this place because there are many different walls to climb and the paths get changed frequently so there’s always a new one to attempt. The paths are also very clear, with colored grips and colored tape specifically dedicated to individual paths.
However, the difficulty levels tend to be inconsistent, and definitely over-​inflated when compared to other rock climbing places. For example, I struggle climbing a 5.9 difficulty wall elsewhere, but have no problem climbing a 5.10c difficulty here.
There are also a variety of bouldering options available, ranging from V0 difficulty to V11 difficulty. Generally, a V0 difficulty would be the equivalent of a 5.10a climbing difficulty.
There’s also some free weights, weight machines, and cardio equipment available for those people who choose not to climb. But I’d rather stick mostly to climbing if I were you. It’s more fun!

Here’s to all the renovations.
I used to come here years ago and switched to Planet Granite. Now I’ll never go back to PG.
The new walls are expansive, well lit, and challenging. The work out area is surprisingly good. And all the cardio machines scattered about are a great add. Love the yoga room and the spin as well, but I really go for the climbing.
Only go in the AM (6:30) because you don’t have to wait for routes, so I can’t speak to crowds at other times.
PS: Love the names they use and the themes (GOP candidates, GNR and Ac/​DC tracks, etc)
If I had one complaint, it would to put in some super technical routes with some stemming in the three or four places you can actually put them. It’s nice to break up routes with a stem to stretch out and give you arms and legs a break.

Great climbing gym! Lots of top roping/​lead climbing. A decent bouldering section upstairs. Most every weight/​machine you’d need too. At busier hours (after 5:30) it gets kind of crowded for sure — especially the weight section (only 2.5 squat racks and 1 bench press). I’m new to climbing so it’s fine for me but some complain about route ratings. The only complaint I have is that the routes are seemingly inconsistently rated for easier climbs (V0-​V3 has a lot of overlap)
Day pass is 20 bucks + (5 – 7 $ for shoes/​harness) but with the membership you get in free to all the classes so if you live around and can afford it I recommend shelling out the $ 75 per month. It pays for itself in no time. Plus you get access to all other touchstone gyms like dogpatch bouldering.

SUMMARY: I was definitely spoiled by Earth Treks when I lived in DC. Having moved out to SF recently, I have visited this Mission Cliffs + the Planet Granite in Sunnyvale and look forward to visiting the others.
— — — — –MORE DETAILS — — — — –
ROUTES: This Mission Cliffs has much more lenient ratings than any other climbing gym I’ve been to (10+). At other gyms, I can’t touch a 5.10c, but here I’ve been able to complete a 5.10C without stopping (and I’m more out of shape than ever). This is great for my ego, but something to keep in mind. The bouldering route ratings seem to be on par with other gyms. There also seems to be less slopers and crimps in routes. Having said that, there are very few routes under 5.10a — a trickle of 5.6 — 5.9s but not much. There’s a good array of tall and shorter climbs. I’ve been here on what seems like their busiest times and you may have to wait for a few minutes, but if you aren’t too picky you never seem to have to wait a lot. Good set of bouldering routes as well.
STAFF: NEUTRAL: Staff seems ok — have had some meh experiences and some good ones. They seem to pay more attention than some other gyms to if you have your belay card or not.
CLEANLINESS: GREAT: Bathrooms + main areas are all clean — no complaints. Free towels + lotion are available for use.

I just recently got into rock climbing and decided to start a membership here. $ 75 a month is probably the most I’ve spent on any gym but luckily my company expenses a portion of it or else I’m not certain if I would have considered it.
Intro to Climbing (belaying to be specific) classes are free for members which I highly recommend for anyone starting. I just took mine today and it was very helpful! Belaying involves 2 people for those who don’t know what that is. One person climbing and the other being the «belayer» who feeds the rope to the climber. It’s intimidating at first but so much fun when you start retaining everything! I actually made a friend in intro class who I will start belaying with which is pretty cool!
Besides the option to belay, you can boulder (free climbing without a rope), take yoga classes, and there is even a small area for lifting weights. It’s good to know I don’t have to miss squat days anymore with this gym so close to my apartment.
Though I do have to admit this space isn’t that big and can get overly crowded during peak times. Or else I would have given this a sold 5 star.

One downside is I parked my car along the street and in the building next door, there was a couple having really, really loud sex. It sounded like they were reciting lines from shakespeare as they were climaxing. The windows were wide open, so their intent on being heard was very clear. It only lasted a few minutes though.
The bouldering here is pretty good. There is a good variety of routes and the crowd it attracts is very helpful and friendly.

Great facilities. Uneven and frequently poor staff.
I’ve been climbing indoors and out for around 15 years. I’ve been at a lot of gyms in that time. MC definitely has a great set of facilities, and is vastly improved in this area from the previous setup of a few years ago.
I choose not to climb at MC, however, because the staff is frequently rude and arrogant. The «Mission» part of Mission Cliffs is indeed present and accounted for, in the sense of dismissive and blasé service. There are a few gems, including the current cleaning staff (!), but it’s far better to spend your time at Dogpatch Boulders — also part of Touchstone Climbing — if that’s your thing, or Planet Granite for a more traditional climbing environment: chill people, friendly crowd, helpful staff.
I got into climbing for the atmosphere and challenge, not the scene, and unfortunately there’s always been a bit too much of the latter at MC for my taste.

I have been an on– and off– member of Mission Cliffs for the last few years; I moved away to Denver and Portland, before eventually returning to San Francisco.
Mission Cliffs, compared to gyms in other cities, or hell, even within the city, is a joke. Here’s why:
— Routes are highly inflated by a grade or two, maybe even three; you’ll be in for a shock if you do any outdoor climbing, or even visit another gym. Nearby Planet Granite is closer to grading elsewhere, and even PG is a little overrated.
— Routes graded 5.10D and above are inconsistent and unpredictable. Their setters are all over the place. A 5.10d will be as hard as a 5.11c; a 5.11a will be incredibly easy one week, impossible the next, and so on. It’s hard to track your progress with such variability.
— Routes are set densely and incredibly close to each other, leading to a lot of congestion. In some cases, this congestion is dangerous — in the rooms where there are overhangs with steep leanbacks, I’ve seen climbers fall back and literally smash into each other in the air.
— The weight room portion of the gym is poorly laid out and incredibly crowded, almost to the point of being unsafe. For example: although there are a ton of pull-​up bars in the area, they are often always on top of weight racks. A person can’t do pull-​ups if there’s somebody there lifting weights — and believe me, there’s always somebody there lifting weights. The equipment is terrible; weights are rusted, metal. Good luck if you’re trying to do anything other than a bicep curl — there’s no space for real weightlifting moves like deadlifts and cleans.
— The «new» part of the gym, despite being new, is a hot mess. The carpet wasn’t bolted down properly and bunches up all over the place, causing lots of people to trip. Although construction was only finished a few years ago, it was so poorly done that you can’t actually tell that it’s newer than the rest of the gym. It’s already dirty as sin.
— Everything is filthy. This is legitimately a breeding ground for MRSA.
— People here are INCREDIBLY rude, staff and patrons alike. Because it’s always insanely crowded, everybody just fends for themselves. The more advanced people will cut you in line for routes, or in some cases, even snake your route by tying on to the rope next door and climbing the route your rope is meant for. Tech noobs and amateurs will crowd around easy routes, spending 15 – 20 minutes tied in but NOT climbing, instead looking up and «analyzing» the climb, leading to even more congestion and crowding.
So why do I still go? Unfortunately, I’ve been climbing for years now and this is the closest gym to me. Do I like it? No. Do I feel safe? No, not really.
Hm. Maybe time to suck it up and just ride out to Planet Granite.

I’m so happy that I was introduce to rock climbing! This rock climbing/​gym is huge! They offer variety of classes and intro to climbing. I never attended an intro class and I really should and learn proper ways and techniques of rock climbing.
The staff are very friendly and helpful. When I first came here I had to do a belay test in order to climb and belay. My fiancé’s cousin showed me the proper way to belaying and climbing. When I tested and forgot a few things, the staff were very helpful and knowledgeable. They made sure you know all your safety checks before giving you a belay card.
There’s a small area with basic gym equipment and can get your workout done. They also have a cycle room and a yoga room.
The climbing route are changed frequently so there’s always something new to climb. The bouldering area renovated and up. It gets pretty crowded after work hours but if you come on weekends or early during week days you pretty much have the entire climbing gym to your self.
The bathrooms are renovated and pretty clean. They have lockers for day use. Just bring your own lock.
We pay $ 140/​month as family. We can bring in a guest (1 each) for free any time of them to and free guess on the last Friday of each month, so I think we get our money’s worth.
I’m leaving mission cliff though to try another climbing gym, but I will always come back if I don’t like my new gym (Planet Granite)
I highly recommend this place to anybody!

On belay, y’all!
I’ve been a guest at Mission Cliffs since I was a young lass. My old church’s youth group used to head there every couple of months on Sunday afternoons and I always remember it being a grand old time. Now, in my attempts to stay active, I like to pop in with friends and make a day of it.
I hadn’t been in since they renovated and expanded, but his past Sunday my crew went in and all got certified to belay and to climb, your pal Crys bringing up the rear. I don’t know what happened to my mind, but it was like all sense became nonsense, and I couldn’t tie a climbing knot to save my life. The guy who tests people out was so effing gracious, I wish I got his name. He encouraged me, showed me the ropes (literally), and when he saw I was getting anxious, he would tap my hand and say «hey, why are you sad? You’re guna get this!». Not my finest moment, but I finally pulled through and got to head up the walls.
Everyone had a great time. The walls vary in difficulty and skill, the facilities are clean and spacious. I want to get a membership but sh*t is so pricey! I think it would be worth it now to get a membership though, because initiation is free January ’15 and they have a lot of gym equipment so you don’t really need a gym membership elsewhere. Plus rock climbing is super cool and exhilarating and you don’t feel like you’re even working out, you’re just climbing around having all of the funs.

Pros:
–Very friendly staff
–Members get access to the other touchstone gyms, including Dogwatch Boulders in SF
–Location. Easy to access for many, and lost of options for apres-​climb restaurants in the Mission.
Cons:
–It is almost always unbearably hot inside the gym.
–Could use more crack climbs, but maybe that’s just me.
–Workout area is so small and crowded it is nearly impossible to access anything much of the time.