Looking for indoor San Diego climbing gym places to exercise? In a city where it is hot all year long, it only makes sense to climb indoors while enjoying your favorite sport.
While it is home to several outdoor crags located on the outskirts of the city, the indoor climbing gym is just as fun with a friendly community and lots of fun routes to explore.
As I was compiling indoor rock climbing locations for research, I realized there wasn’t a list of San Diego climbing gyms to refer to! Hence, I wanted to compile a list of the latest rock climbing gyms in the area so you can find a place to work, play, and most importantly, climb!
DISCLOSURE: Some of the links on here are affiliate links, and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. I hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.
- 1. Mesa Rim Climbing Center
- 2. Mesa Rim Climbing Academy
- 3. Mesa Rim Mission Valley
- 4. Vertical Hold
- 5. Asylum
- 6. The Wall Climbing Gym
- 7. Grotto Climbing And Yoga – Mission Valley
- 8. Grotto Climbing And Yoga – Miramar
- 9. UCSD Outback Climbing Center
- 10. ARC Climbing – Aztec Recreation Center
- 11. Vital Climbing Gym
- How Many Climbing Gyms Are In California?
1. Mesa Rim Climbing Center
The Mira Mesa location is Mesa Rim’s first facility in 2010. Mesa Rim currently has 6 locations: 3 in San Diego, 1 in North City (California), 1 in Reno (Nevada), and 1 in Austin (Texas).
Situated in an office park near Sorento Valley, this San Diego climbing gym is equipped with:
- lead climbing walls (52-feet tall walls)
- top-rope routes
- bouldering area
- dedicated weightlifting and training facility on two floors
There are two bouldering areas: one that is located behind the top rope routes and a newer version called the Expansion located beside the gym facilities on the ground floor. Personally, I prefer the Expansion as it is more beginner-friendly with shorter bouldering walls. Also love the natural sunlight beaming down from the glass windows!
As long as you are holding a climbing pass (whether a day or a membership), you are entitled to complimentary yoga classes and fitness lessons.
For first-timers, you can purchase a one-week trial for only $ 46 which includes rental climbing gear, and FREE belay lessons, yoga, and fitness classes! You will also need to sign a waiver before entering the gym.
Address: 10110 Mesa Rim Road, San Diego, CA 92121, United States
Fee: $ 31 (aged 18 and above), $ 22 (aged 4 to 17)
Amenities: WiFi working space, showers, sauna, locker rooms
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 6 am – 10 pm
Saturday to Sunday: 8 am – 9 pm
2. Mesa Rim Climbing Academy
Just located next to the Mesa Rim Climbing Center in Mira Mesa, this 11,000-square-foot facility is for individuals looking to climb better, harder, and higher. This is where Mesa Rim runs its adult and youth programs dedicated to beginner and intermediate climbers to gain better confidence in climbing and adopt better techniques.
This climbing gym San Diego location has World Cup-designed bouldering walls for the best athletes to train as well as program-focused equipment such as hang boards, system boards, and campus boards to improve your climbing. It is one of the few professional climbing facilities dedicated to competitive climbing, especially for the USA Team to train!
There are also non-climbing equipment facilities for you to use such as squat racks, gymnast rings, plyo boxes, and a full set of weightlifting plates.
It is, unfortunately, not a public gym where you can walk-in as you will need to either have an appointment with the coach or be part of one of their programs to enter this space.
Address: 10070 Mesa Rim Rd, San Diego, CA 92121, United States
Fee: Based on program fee
Amenities: –
Opening Hours: By appointment basis
3. Mesa Rim Mission Valley
Opened in 2015, it is San Diego’s largest and tallest indoor climbing gym with 26,000 square feet of climbing surface area and 55-foot walls (sometimes they will push their limits to 58 feet).
This San Diego climbing gym closes slightly later than its sister counterpart, you can climb until 11 pm! Truly for the night owls! It is also super well-organized, with routes being resetted frequently every month.
And even if you came here as a solo climber, the staff are kind enough to assist you with a belay partner (with the help of a loudspeaker).
Like Mesa Rim at Mira Mesa, it has a yoga studio with plenty of yoga and fitness classes, a bouldering route, top rope, and lead walls.
Mesa Rim Mission Valley has also multiple fun activities lined up each month! For example, there are Magic The Gathering meetups and queer community gatherings to make climbers feel right at home!
For first-timers, you have the option of a first-week trial that is inclusive of everything just like its sister gyms.
Address: 405 Camino del Rio S, San Diego, CA 92108, United States
Fee: $ 31 (aged 18 and above), $ 22 (aged 4 to 17)
Amenities: WiFi working space, showers, sauna, locker rooms
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 6 am – 11 pm
Saturday to Sunday: 8 am – 9 pm
4. Vertical Hold
This San Diego climbing gym was founded in 1993 in Miramar but was forced to find a new location after 23 years. They struck gold with the acquisition of defunct Solid Rock Gym’s three San Diego rock climbing gyms located in San Marcos, Poway, and San Diego.
Today, it has a vibrant community in all three of its full-serviced climbing and facility gyms. They have a really welcoming community, where walk-ins are entertained and the staff are always attentive to assist you.
Vertical Hold has the following climbing features:
- Top Rope
- Auto-belay
- bouldering
- lead climbing
- yoga and fitness classes
They have great route setting to cater to all levels and resets frequently! Vertical Hold also hosts group events for a 2.5-hour session with a minimum of 8 pax.
For first-timers, no reservation is required except for top-rope climbers. You will need to get belay certified by reserving one of their Grigri belay lessons (It’s free!). If you are a student, you get 10% off on your day pass!
Address: 2074 Hancock St, San Diego, CA 92110, United States
Fee: $ 28
Amenities: Locker Room, Showers, Water fountain
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9 am – 10 pm
Saturday to Sunday: 9 am – 9 pm
5. Asylum
Situated at the backyard of Cafe X, it is the latest San Diego climbing gym to open during the pandemic.
Offering a unique experience, Asylum creates the best of both worlds: outdoor bouldering with indoor climbing holds. With a tarp that covers the bouldering area, climbers can climb under fairy lights, rain or shine.
This 2,500-square foot space has a 15-foot tall freestanding boulder, hang boards, Grasshopper board, campus rungs, and a fitness weightlifting area (the hangboard areas are not shaded). It is also resetted weekly (starting with one plane).
What makes this place fun is the unique aspect of being able to chill in a large outdoor space having some drinks and snacks while watching climbers climb, similar to outdoor bouldering spots. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to many indoor climbing gyms that either feels too stuffy or too crowded.
Note: it’s pet friendly too!
Address: 46 19th St, San Diego, CA 92102, United States
Fee: $ 22
Amenities: Bathrooms (at Cafe X),
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 12 pm – 9 pm
Saturday to Sunday: 11 am – 6 pm
6. The Wall Climbing Gym
This San Diego climbing gym is a bouldering-focused facility covering various techniques such as slab (11 feet high walls) and highball boulders (18 feet high). Within this 1200-square-foot space, you can either boulder to your heart’s content or head to the functional training section with plenty of equipment to supplement your workout.
If you are looking for a place to send kids to a month-long summer camp, The Wall does have something for you! There is a one-day trial option and if you like it, you can continue it for months!
For first-timers, you will need to sign a waiver before participating. The climbing rental gear (climbing shoes and chalk) pricing at The Wall Climbing Gym is $ 5.
Address: 1210 Keystone Way C, Vista, CA 92081, United States
Fee: $ 24 (aged 18 and above), $ 20 (aged 17 and under)
Amenities: WiFi spaces, lounge
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10 am – 10 pm
Saturday to Sunday: 12 pm – 8 pm
7. Grotto Climbing And Yoga – Mission Valley
The first Grotto climbing facility opened in Mission Valley in 2015 and is the smaller of the two San Diego climbing gyms at 7,000 square feet.
Grotto’s main focus is like its name, climbing and yoga, which is pretty apt in the “City In Motion”. Since bouldering and yoga movements do go hand-in-hand, they have several yoga classes along with some wonderful equipment for climbers to use such as spray walls and a weightlifting area.
It also opens pretty early at 7 am for the early birds who want a quick workout before work!
Pricing is also on the premium side especially for the size of the gym. I suggest visiting the Miramar location to get more bang for your buck. (For first-timers, you can enjoy a 20% discount on your day pass or monthly pass for a limited time only!)
Note: The gym has a cute dog called Bear! Also, there isn’t much parking in this area.
Address: 4460 Alvarado Canyon Rd, San Diego, CA 92120, United States
Fee: $ 30
Amenities: WiFi working spaces, Lounge, showers
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 7 am – 10 pm
Saturday to Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
8. Grotto Climbing And Yoga – Miramar
Opened in 2021, the latest Grotto climbing gym has an 18,000-square-feet climbing space!
Find everything you need here as a bouldering enthusiast:
- Campus board, Moon board, and training board, adjustable kilter board
- Spray Wall
- Work at the WiFi lounge area
- Yoga studio
- Gymnastic rings and exercise equipment
You will get one of the best competitive route setting here along with multiple routes that have a fair level of difficulty for any type of climber. Also, the staff here are welcoming and encouraging to ensure you get the best out of your climbing session.
For first-timers, similar to the Mission Valley facility, you can enjoy a 20% discount on your passes.
Address: 9282 Miramar Rd, San Diego, CA 92126, United States
Fee: $ 30
Amenities: WiFi working spaces, lounge, showers, lockers, air-conditioned
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 7 am – 10 pm
Saturday to Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
9. UCSD Outback Climbing Center
Located in UCSD Canyonville Aquatic Center, it is a bouldering-only gym with a Moonboard. UCSD Students and Rec-Card Holders climb for free!
Although a small gym, it has an active community organizing competition and events.
It is open to the public if you are a Rec-card holder, which costs $ 55 for a monthly membership.
However, as this is a school facility, its schedule will follow the school calendar and is closed during school breaks.
Note: the gym also closes early at times with no announcements. Do contact the gym ahead of time before visiting the location.
Address: UC San Diego Recreation, 3390 Voigt Dr, San Diego, CA 92121, United States
Fee: $ 55/monthly
Amenities: –
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10 am – 10 pm
Saturday: 11 am – 4 pm
Sunday: 6 pm – 10 pm
10. ARC Climbing – Aztec Recreation Center
I’ve listed ARC Climbing here, but do note that it is not open to the public.
SDSU students are lucky: they have access to a 41-foot tall climbing wall that has 13 top rope anchors, lead climbing, crack climbing, and even a multipitch route! If you are a student here, you can learn how to build anchors and master trad equipment (a super rare opportunity that most San Diego climbing gyms don’t teach!).
Aside from that, you get access to rental climbing gear for free including climbing shoes, harnesses, GriGri (I am so jealous!), carabiners, climbing ropes, and crack gloves (this is an unbelievable set!).
Address: 5301 55th St, San Diego, CA 92182
Fee: –
Amenities: –
Opening Hours: depending on school schedule
11. Vital Climbing Gym
Just a half an hour drive from San Diego, Vital Climbing Gym has a cozy bouldering gym that includes CrossFit/Rogue fitness equipment to help climbers get in shape at the Carlsbad location. (There is another gym that is a 10-minute drive up north at Oceanside which has more facilities).
One of the unique things about this San Diego climbing gym is its 24-hour access for members to climb whenever they like. However, the amenities here are limited and seem to cater to seasoned climbers as opposed to newbies.
Address: 6102 Avenida Encinas L, Carlsbad, CA 92011, United States
Fee: $ 20
Amenities: lounge, shower
Opening Hours: 11:30 am to 8 pm daily
How Many Climbing Gyms Are In California?
To date, there are about 95 climbing gyms with more on the way! California holds the record for the highest number of climbing gyms in the United States. If you have the budget, consider gym-hopping around the cities of California and experience the warms vibes of the community (California can be a warm state, literally!).
Conclusion
With that, I hope you’ve found this list of San Diego climbing gyms useful. Now you know where you can find shade while enjoying your favorite activity!
Overall, I’ve had good experiences with the climbing gyms here and will definitely be back to climb again!
Looking to explore other climbing gyms outside of California? Check out our latest posts: