This place is probably the best bouldering gym I've ever been to, and is the climbing gym that introduced me to bouldering years ago. There are so many problems here of all various difficulties, so makes for a really fun time to figure them out, and bring friends to climb with that will find a problem on the same wall area. Truly, the array of problems and wall types available is astounding, and ensures you will have a maximum amount of fun and a good workout. read more

I got addicted to bouldering very fast, so Dogpatch was heaven for me. It's a pain to get here since it's in the middle of nowhere, but if you spend a few hours a week here, you really do feel like part of its community. Checking in, renting gear, and asking membership questions are all easy at the giant front desk. The whole place is open and spacious so you might either get excited or intimidated like me. Everyone is so friendly, so don't be afraid to make new friends! Locker rooms are decent, but you'll spend most of your time climbing, so let's move onto the main attraction. The walls at Dogpatch are super high, but I mean... you can go as far as you want. I love that all the routes are challenging because it truly makes you strive to get better over time. I have come back several times to attempt certain routes I'm determined to tackle. They change up the routes every so often, so that's good. Plenty of room for everyone to climb, though it will get especially on the weekends. Weights and cardio equipment are limited, but they really know how to maximize the space for bouldering! Love this place. read more

Bouldering is growing on me. This place is dedicated 100% to just bouldering. Lots of the structures allow you to top out, though I find it a bit sketchy on the top in some places because it's not flat, it gets narrow, and there are boxes and bars that you can hit your head on. Also, I've heard others say before that they've seen people stumble and fall off the top onto the mats below, which seems pretty dangerous. Of course, bouldering and rock climbing in general are dangerous activities, so engage at your own risk. They do a decent job of setting the problems and cleaning the holds, but I wish that they would replace the mats. The canvas is coated in some sort of plastic that is crumbling away and always sticks to my pants. Their locker room isn't huge, but it gets the job done. They also provide towels and soap and shampoo and conditioner, like the other Touchstone gyms. Guest passes cost $20, but you can get a punch card of 10 visits for $180. The front desk is pretty friendly. They don't have tape at the counter, but they'll usually scrounge up something for you if you ask. read more

Incredible and endless bouldering. Crazy arches, pitches, slab and even a youth hidden training center. So much fun every time. Staff are awesome and eager to help you have positive climbing experience. One of many Touchstone gyms and they're all awesome. Pads are very cushy and I even intentionally practiced falling on my back on the roof (upside down) with no injury. Sets are always creative and challenging regardless of grade. read more

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Tap into your inner monkey, this place is a fun mutli-colored jungle! The atmosphere is lively with people tackling on their respective nemesis; everywhere you turn, you can see people helping each other out with tips & sound advice. There were also lots of people just hanging out, sprawled out on the mats. Very chill! I'm a top rope kind of gal, but I gave this bouldering thing a shot. Me + unsecured heights was initially no bueno. I eventually got comfortable with falling onto the cushiony mats. You definitely have to have or quickly develop the "if you fall, get back up and try, try again" mentality if you're height fearful like me lol. I'd like to come back and give some V1's and my fear of heights a run for their money! read more

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Cool bouldering only gym. The space here is nice and wide open - plenty of areas to rest between problems (or chat with your friends). I thought the grading was pretty consistent with my hometown gym, maybe a little bit easier. At my home gym I typically only climb up to V2, here I was cruising on V2s, and projecting V3/4. The archway in the middle of the gym is really cool looking, but basically impossible to climb on unless you can climb the one 5.12b that is set on it. Otherwise, there was a really good mixture of grades found throughout the whole gym. Plenty to keep anyone at any level occupied for a while. read more

Strictly bouldering only here. It's not just fun to boulder, but it's also very entertaining to WATCH the more experienced boulderers! It's so amazing to see them spider man upside down and stuff. So crazy! Everyone is super friendly and supportive too even if you're a V1. read more

Dogpatch Boulders - Gyms Near Me - San Francisco, California

Love this place. Came with a friend and now I'm addicted to bouldering and going rock climbing! The atmosphere is great - everyone is really kind and it's not too crowded. There are tons of different levels scattered around the entire gym on different walls so theres not just "one section" for beginners, "one section" for intermediate levels, "one section" for expert levels. It allows everyone to interact and watch people at all different skills! $20 for a daypass. Unlimited In's and Out's. Unleash your inner monkey :) Climb on. read more

Dogpatch Boulders - Gyms Near Me - San Francisco, California

Dogpatch Boulders is a great facility. I love the touchstone family of gyms, and this one does not disappoint. The entire gym is pretty much a bouldering area, with a few machines near the front (including an ergometer, which is my favorite), and a handful of weights in the back corner. At the front of the gym, there is a very large area for bike parking and the locker rooms are adequate. I have to admit, after climbing at Mission Cliffs and Cliffs of Id, I am slightly jealous that there is no sauna at Dogpatch Boulders, but oh well that is a minor detail. The bouldering area is really incredible, there are enjoyable and challenging problems for every skill level, and the routes are frequently updated and changed. The staff here is helpful and friendly, and I enjoy that this location frequently has various sales and specials on gear and other items. Keep up the great work! read more

Dogpatch Boulders - Gyms Near Me - San Francisco, California

I love this place so much! It is a HUGE bouldering gym (no top rope). They have a wide variety of routes for all levels of experience that they change on a regular basis. They have a separate kids section & it looks like they are opening up a yoga section. They have a few bikes, treadmills, & ellipticals (like 2-3) They take good care of their gym (it's well maintained & clean). They have lockers I. The locker rooms but also have plenty of cubbies where you can safely keep you stuff near the climbing areas. Small cons the bathroom stalls are super small & they don't have a sauna like many other climbing gyms but they do have showers. It's just a few blocks from the Caltrain station & a Muni stop. There is plenty of bike parking indoors & out. It can sometimes be tricky to find parking for your car depending on the time of day but it is free parking in the area. They sell a small amount of food & drinks & also climbing gear (shoes, chalk, clothes, etc). read more

In January of this year, I opted in to get a gym membership at Touchstone, since my friend from work at the time convinced me to (No initiation fee, yay!) I wasn't an active climbing member the first few months until I started working down the street from it in May. The gym is super spacious and is supplied with various routes for different types of climbers. I've been to the Studio in SJ, PG in Sunnyvale, PG in Presidio, and Mission Cliffs but Dogpatch Boulders is still my favorite rock climbing gym. Would highly recommend getting a membership here if you're a solo climbing ( I like bouldering more than top rope). Also, if you're not sure about getting a membership, I would wait until they waive the initiation fee ($100). They usually have this in January because you know... New Year, New Me (amiright). FAIR WARNING: The area is still a little run down with sketchy activities in the area. Would recommend NOT leaving anything in your car if you decide to park anywhere on Illinois street (street behind DP Boulders). read more

This is a really cool place to go with a group of friends, your ride or die partner, or just going there by yourself. Not only is it a cool place to go workout and have fun but it is located in the Mission, so you can probably grab some delicious food right after which makes it feel like a hidden gem. I was also able to rekindle my fire for climbing after so many years of no action. So, if anything I must thank this place and it's an amazing facility for helping me. I would say that the price was 'good' considering that I only go for the early bird special because those are the times that I am free and want a good deal. Overall, I really like this place a lot just because I know I can get a good deal if I do the early bird special. But I am not a professional rock climber so I can't say "This is the best place to go to!" because I don't quite have the criteria but nonetheless check this place out! read more

This gym just keeps getting larger. There are an uncountable amount of bouldering problems of all levels here. It can get super packed on weeknights after work, but with all the wall space you really only feel the crowds in the locker room. The staff has been friendly and helpful any time I've needed them. I'd recommend this spot to beginners and experts alike. read more

Climbing: 5/5 Routesetting is great. Lots of wall space; most sections get reset every 2 months which gives you both a variety of climbs and a chance to work through the harder problems. Hours: 5/5 Since they switched Mon and Wed to 11pm closing, the crowds have evened out somewhat. Amenities: 4/5 Locker room is a tad crowded, but that'll be fixed in the upcoming expansion. Wish there was another water fountain since the one available has low pressure most of the time. Crowds: 3/5 It's gotten more crowded. Wish there was another SF or Peninsula Touchstone gym. Members only weekday evening hours twice per month might be great, but maybe most of the folks here are members anyway. I climb 8:30pm-11pm and it becomes manageable around 9:30pm. Misc - Closing announcements used to be obnoxious but are back to normal - much more enjoyable late at night now. I'm also glad the rear doors are opened for ventilation on that side. Thanks for (finally) adding no-shoe signs to the locker rooms! read more

Been to enough bouldering gyms across the nation that I can say this with certainty - this is one of the best bouldering gyms around. I've been to 8-10 other gyms by now and this is still number 1 for me (although Seattle's Bouldering Project is also superb). It is gigantic, it has a wide range of difficulties and styles, and it changes routes frequently enough that even regulars can never complain. Also, its ratings are the closest I've ever seen an indoor gym come to matching outdoor ratings - as in it rates harder than any other gym I've been to. Which is appreciated if you do both indoor and outdoor bouldering. That being said, there are some downsides: - Not really a workout space. There's a small area in the back with one rack and some weights, also some treadmills in the front, but no real gym. They did open a yoga room recently though, and have more unfilled space which I'm hoping they'll turn into a full-blown gym soon. - Too crowded on certain weekday nights, particularly Tuesday nights. They're open later on Tues/Thurs, so that might be the reason. - Parking is shady. Do not leave shit in view or you WILL get a broken window. Aside from those things though, this gym is great. Couldn't ask for a better home gym. (Side note: I'm actually laughing at the 3-star reviews on the front page because they're coming from people who came here ONCE, who've hardly ever climbed in their life, complaining about how the rocks are rough and make their hands hurt/chalky (lol, really?). Ya, that's 'cause Dogpatch gets fresh, new pieces, not worn down to a slippery gloss like at Mission Cliffs bouldering..) read more

Registration and payment were a breeze. The facility is huge! Plenty of climbing trails for beginners. Everyone was courteous and took turns to climb. I really how the difficulty varies for trails that have the same level. read more

I have been climbing for over a decade and have competed in USA climbing and have been to dozens of gyms all over the world as well as worked and set for several gyms. I recently moved here from salt lake, and was excited by the size and the geometry of this gym. BUT, they bit off far more than they can chew. the routes are very immaturely set and the cleanliness and refresh of problems is very poor. it's like when someone buys a mansion and doesn't have money left over to furnish or landscape it. I hope they are reading this and realize that a gym this size requires way more route setting and way more purchases of new holds. and way more lighting to enhance the atmosphere. please take it to the next level guys! there is so much missed potential here! read more

If you boulder, this place is like heaven. SO MANY ROUTES. And good/varied routes at that. The space is huge, the staff is friendly and the bathrooms are clean. Overall, dreamy, dreamy place. read more

Dogpatch Boulders - Gyms Near Me - San Francisco, California

My boyfriend took me here for the first time the other day and we had a fun time! We took an introduction course which is around 30 minutes before we were free to boulder anywhere. It was around $30 per person, but for a regular day pass (after intro class) is $25 per person. An entire day for $25 isn't bad, but honestly, after 2 hours, I already felt like it was pushing it. Upon entering you'll see the front desk where you check-in/pay for your day pass. They have shoe and chalk bag rentals as well! There were half sizes available for the shoes, but they do run small so size up to your comfort. Make sure you learn how to properly fall before bouldering because many of those injuries happen. There are about 12 levels and I couldn't get pass level 2 as a first timer. This space is very spacious with lots of different climbing patterns and walls, however, it does get crowded, but we were able to find spots to try because every here is really courtesy and takes turns. There's also a gym with weights and treadmills, too. Definitely feeling the soreness today, but fun and worth a try! read more

I originally signed up for a membership at Mission Cliffs. Since Dogpatch Boulders is a Touchstone Climbing Gym I have been able to come twice on my current membership. It's located only .3mi away from the 22nd Caltrain station making it super convenient to visit. In comparison to mission cliffs the walls are much taller, but extremely fun. It's helping me get over my fear of heights (haha!). Also, I get that it's a gym, but Dogpatch Boulders actually smells a lot better than Mission Cliffs because it has better ventilation. I think DB is a converted warehouse because they let a lot of air in via an open garage on what looks like a loading dock. My biggest complaint is the sheer amount of people who come weekdays after work. The gym is much bigger than many of the climbing gyms I have seen, but it gets super crowded. I end up spending more time waiting for V0-V1 routes than actually climbing (I've only bouldered 3 times in my life now). Also, the locker room is cramped with only one small bench near the actual lockers. It looks like the locker room could also use a good cleaning. read more

This gym is rad. Big walls with lots of variety. I love all the arches too. I really wish there was a ladder or some other walk off, down climbing is annoying. Also, the walls seem to be made out of grip tape or something and will shred your skin up if you fall on them and they are death on your shoes. The ratings are on the easy side, even for a gym, but you're probably climbing to keep in shape and not bag numbers so no biggie. I'd totally give a 5 star review if it was so damn expensive. $20 for a bouldering session? Can't swing that on the reg. Give some student discounts or something, we are poor for christ sake. haha read more

This is by far my favorite bouldering gym. I'm still a bit of a rookie, but I worked my way up to trying some V3s on this visit. I love how huge this place is, solely dedicated to bouldering. They even added a small section for kids that includes a slide to come down once they top out. It seems like they've recently replaced the crash pads because other reviews complain about a cracking plastic, but I saw nothing of the sort on the pads while I was there. The little box of tape, nail clippers, band aids, and triple antibiotic ointment must be new as well! It was very convenient to have such easy access to band aids, but we found it better to fold over the end of the tape (so it doesn't stick to your scrape), then just wrap your finger to continue climbing. While the holds and walls are a little more rough, I found that this helped with my grip and made me less messy about dragging myself along the wall. All of the climbers I met were very friendly and willing to provide advice. This even included two young people, likely around 10 years old who each had great climbing talent. It was really cool to see grown adults taking advice from some really cool kids! I will definitely be making my way back here, hopefully on a somewhat regular basis. My only reserve is that I need to figure out how to stretch so that my forearms aren't dead when I wake up the next day! read more

I had such a great time with my boyfriend when we came on a rainy weekend. It was pretty crowded in the afternoon, but not to the point where it was bothersome or it required waiting before starting any of the problems. We each paid $20 for a day pass, plus $4 for shoes and $1 for a chalk bag (only need 1 chalk bag for two people though). I'm FAR from an experienced climber, so I love how the bouldering problems inside are super accommodating to all skill levels (v0-v12). I've seen online that they even have an option for first-timers to take a 30-minute class (2:30pm during weekends) that is covered by a day pass, so you don't even need an experienced friend to show you the ropes. GREAT place to go for a fun upper body workout, and you could even make it into a full body workout with the limited cardio and weight lifting equipment they have in the back. Two days after our visit, my back and shoulders are still sore... read more

This place is basically a playground for adults. (Although it's also good for kids: there's a pretty significant kids' section that's fun to traverse and some kid competition routes throughout the space that are very challenging.) According to the website, there 14,000 sq ft of climbing here, and it's all dedicated to bouldering routes! (That means no rope, for those of you unaware of climbing terminology.) Because the place is huge, you won't get bored. There's something for everyone, whether you're a beginner like me or have been climbing for a while. Everyone is friendly and willing to help guide or spot you as you challenge yourself on new puzzles. You also probably have to be more careful climbing at Dogpatch, since the walls are higher than normal and it's a bit dangerous to fall from the top. So look forward to a bit of an adrenaline rush and/or fear of heights kicking in. Staff is friendly and helpful, whether you're trying to get more information about your membership or purchasing/renting gear. Unfortunately this place is pretty hard to get to (Muni from Financial District/Mission Bay is not terrible; anywhere further will be a bit of a time investment) and not near much else, but it's well worth the bus ride (or the cost of Lyft/Uber). read more

A Touchstone gym entirely dedicated to bouldering! It's big, high (the bouldering walls are up to 17ft high), fun, and challenging. The problems are spread out across different types of terrain, and for most, you top out and down climb. There is a distinct feel of camaraderie shared among boulderers that is cozier than sports climbers and it's evident here. I like this vibe. There is a sizable kids section which is great for families of climbers. I almost wish I had a kid, because it would be so cool to do this as a family activity. Alas, my cats will only climb trees and furniture. The parking is street parking, which was ok on a weeknight, the locker room is significantly smaller than other Touchstone gyms, but since this is not a full gym (no workout machines or equipment) it's probably going to be ok. Most people didn't bother using the locker room anyway. The day pass, if you don't have the membership, is $25 a day, $125 for a monthly pass. This is another opportunity for me to be glad that I have the membership to Touchstone gyms. read more

Come here for the bouldering; it's expansive and second to none. That cannot be denied. And yeah, I'm gonna be the guy that only gives four stars. Overall the place is pretty rad, but there is definitely room for improvement. A small gym would be nice, even just for bodyweight exercises. And the music? I just don't get it -- a lot of the time it sounds like the soundtrack of Michaels Arts and Crafts, or even a wedding, or maybe a high school sweet heart mixtape from the 70s or 80s. Must be a hipster thing. read more

Been going here for 3 years now and can say it's my favorite bouldering gym in SF. Very friendly and helpful staff and goes the same for the community here. Highly recommend as it was a great gym for me to start bouldering. read more

They have a lot of problems and I think around 11 levels so it caters to climbers of all levels. The place is pretty spacious for SF and even has an indoor area where you can park your bikes (a huge bonus for me). It has a great ambience, the climbers and staff are really friendly and the customer service is excellent. Great quality problems and always new problems to try out. They change / add new problems every week or so. They also sell a lot of climbing equipment. Shoes, chalk, tape, drinks, protein bars, you name it; they probably have it. I just started bouldering in the beginning of the summer and have been to a couple places in Toronto, but nothing like this. I just bought my membership recently and it's a really great place to climb. Did I mention they also have a mini weight lifting area! Awesome I can also do 90% of my original weight lifting workouts here because all I need are some dumb bells, barbell, plates, benches and a squat rack and I'm good to go. read more

B*&D#B&*CB&*!!! I freakin' love this place. I've been to a couple rock climbing gyms, but this is definitely one of the best I've seen. They don't have top roping or lead climbing here. It's just pure bouldering bliss. It's a massive warehouse with topout sections and they have really high ceilings. In fact, I saw someone fall from the top and break an ankle or something. Ok, that's not cool. But I like the fact that it's high enough that it actually makes me feel like I'm outdoors. It's not a cramped space at all! They have a lot of REALLY cool problems and features. Sometimes you go to a gym and you are searching for different problems to try and keep finding yourself at the same ones. Here, there are just so many different bouldering problems, I feel like you can learn a lot here. I just wished I had more time to go here! I could easily go here every day if time allowed! read more

This place is awesome!!!!! It's super clean, really organized, and has such amazing natural lighting. The rocks are clearly labeled and easily visible as you work your way up. Strictly bouldering with padded cushions all around to make that climb with a bit less hesitancy, and to break your unexpected falls. This establishment offers a degree of difficulty ranging from easy- to not so easy. First time climbers intermingled with highly experienced; it's definitely a good time just to watch those bring out the "Spider-Man" in them. Dog patch is complete with free showers, little cubby holes to store your belongings, and a little free weight/cardio action. They rent out shoes, and chalk bags also. I'd go up a whole size - size 1/2 on the shoes, they run a bit small. Now go get your climb on! read more

They charge $25 per person, even for small children. And there's no more slide. Basically they've made it family-unfriendly. I wish the people at the desk had pointed us to the kid area (small corner at the back) - not only so we would know how little is available, but also so that we didn't waste so much time on the adult walls. Unfortunately the woman at the desk didn't even point it out to us, even after I asked about kid pricing (and having my 2 kids next to me). read more

Place is A1. Head towards the back and you'll find yourself a small weight lifting section. Perfect for Olympic style weight lifting after a climbing session. Get there!! read more

I came as a guest for my first time. The place looks amazing and I had great fun barely conquered some of the V0's (yep, had to swallow gallons of pride there). Most people were cool and there to have fun, a few were taking themselves a bit too seriously, (Smiling ain't no crime people!). I would have loved to get into it but can't justify that ridiculous cost: $25 per visit (I only lasted 1.5 hours) Then if you want to save a dollar or two you can sign up for membership where they hit you with $40+ admin fee's? (err common!). Real shame, it looked like something I could really get into and with some hardore dedication master a V2 (aim high kids!). read more

Massive place with a wide arrange of boulder problems and styles. Definitely my favorite California gym.

My back... is so sore. This was my first time at Dogpatch Boulders - my friend recommended it since she has a monthly pass here and loves climbing/working out there. My friends and I went on a Tuesday before 3pm for the $15 day pass + $5 for shoe rental. I'm not the best climber, but I love the challenge and it's a great workout for your upper body. Since we went early in the day it was fairly empty, the receptionist was chill and helped us out with everything. It's an all-bouldering gym so there were tons of problems and I hear they change them up every so often which is nice! After climbing for ~2hrs, I checked out the cardio and weights too, the equipment is limited, but you can definitely make it work to get a full workout. Dogpatch is nice because parking is easy and its close to my house which is nice. Love this place, can't wait to go back. read more

Hands down, the best bouldering gym in the area. I love GWPC, and Ironworks is pretty solid, but if you're looking for bouldering there just isn't a comparison. We've got a group that goes after work once a week, and it's great motivation because it is a little bit of a hassle to get to (especially when you live in Oakland). But it's worth it for the variety of problems that are set, both in terms of difficulty and style. My only complaint is that they don't have block chalk for purchase. Completely blows my mind, but oh well. read more

Dogpatch Boulders is the largest bouldering gym in the country. Top off area, a bridge and a mixture great big tall walls and shorter walls. The space isn't utilized very well. There's a weenie little lifting site if you squint and a few cardio machines up front. Bathrooms are tiny but the staff are really friendly and helpful. My friend was informed that adding her kids to her membership would only cost her 1 cent each. read more

A climbing review for climbers: Bouldering only. What could be better? I gave this place 5 stars because it is literally as good as it gets, at least in San Francisco. The sheer size of this place is amazing. SO much climbing area. But it still can get crowded in the popular spots. And we all know that it's not the quantity of holds but the quality of setting that makes a bouldering gym. For me personally, I don't use at least half of the gym. But it feels luxurious to be so choosy! The setting is pretty solid. It can be a little height dependent, but that affects pretty much only me. If you're tall and on the slab, yes Adam T., you're right. The rating will feel easy. If you're short you might struggle. Such is life. The holds can be slick, but that's par for the course. They could use a bigger steep cave lower to the ground. I want to climb parallel to the ground for 20 moves. There's nowhere to do that, not even if you're traversing. They have a lot of overhanging walls at about 15 feet, but that's not what I'm about. The gym in general is awesome. I have been 100% impressed with the staff here. They have a good shoe selection, the cubbies are out in the open and I don't worry my stuff will get stolen here. And can we talk about the showers??? Lovely. It has all indoor bike parking!!! But if you come here during the day and try to find parking, good luck to you, sir. At night it's not so bad. What would make this gym complete is a pull up bar. And yoga classes. read more

Oh, Dogpatch...for the past few months, I've been a part of an awesome group of climbers that close out the gym on Tuesday nights. If you stick to a weekly schedule, you really start to get acquainted with the familiar faces - great way to meet people! If you LOVE bouldering, Dogpatch will be heaven for you. That said, bouldering was NOT my first love so it took me a while to warm up to this gym. The walls at Dogpatch are higher than most (can you say 17 feet high)? This makes certain top out areas very scary for a beginner climber, but REALLY fun for challenge seekers. Sick features, plenty of challenging climbs at all angles, and caves... The setters spice up the routes pretty often (I'd say every two weeks). With such a large gym, there's a little something for everyone...including a fun slide!!! You must check this out. :] My quick summary - Pros: - Very tall walls - Regularly updated routes - Good variety of technical and physical climbs - Spacious, relaxed layout (choose to watch or climb)! - Kids section - SLIDE! - Friendly staff, awesome people - Close to light rail Cons: - No parking lot, but street parking is available - Weights/gym area is pretty small - No classes - SMaller locker room read more

Went bouldering for the first time here with some friends and went for the rocks marked V0's. I'll admit I get anxious when I'm even 3 feet above the ground. This experience was a great workout and although I didn't complete any of the challenges (scaling the walls using one rock color) I came away with greater confidence in falling (those mats are quite comfy and really did an amazing job in lessening the impact of my many falls) and overall satisfaction in facing my fear of heights. Thanks for making this such an awesome experience! read more