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. read more

Mission Cliffs - Staff setting some new routes on one section of the gym (10/13/15) - Gyms Near Me - San Francisco, California

It is rare that I write a review, however, my experiences (plural) at Mission Cliffs have been some of the worst customer service experiences I've ever had. The staff has been rude, belittling, and extremely inattentive. My first gripe is with the complete lack of organization or consistency around belay testing. I climb frequently at a variety of gyms wherever my travels take me. Belay tests are expected and I've never had an issue at any other gym where I've taken the test. I went to Mission Cliffs several times and was never asked to take a belay test. One day my girlfriend was in town and joined me. Even though it was her first time at the gym, they still didn't mention any safety requirements or a belay test. We started climbing, and about 30 minutes in a staff member approached us with a very aggressive tone about our lack of "belay certified" tags. His tone was so aggressive and off-putting that we decided to stop climbing altogether to stymie our interaction with him. Our next visit, he was the person who checked us in and upon recognizing us stated he remembered our interaction and comp'd us our rental shoes and harness. The rental harness clip configuration was different than the one I own, so before the belay test started, I asked my examiner how to close the clip (make a "c" instead of an "o"). At the end of the test she said I "did extremely well" and asked where I typically climb - then proceeded to give me a partial pass because the clip wasn't closed before my inquisition. Ridiculous. I wasn't planning to climb before asking about the configuration of the rental harness. During the next visit's belay test I was asked how many pairs of 2's to check for. Having never been asked this before, I began to count aloud. After getting to three I started to count in my head and before I finished counting my examiner interjected the appropriate number and stated I was wrong that it was not in fact three. Then she asked if I was tied in to the wrong side of the rope, which I was not, but she led me to believe I was. At this point we decided to end our visit and don't expect to return unless an earthquake moves their facility to be the only cliff of refuge outside my apartment building during the apocalypse. There appears to be no protocol for the belay test or when/if it should even be performed at Mission Cliffs. A huge miss for a test that is supposed to improve safety. The rest of my gripes are about general rudeness and inattentiveness of the staff. Every time I need help with something (e.g. getting a different sized pair of shoes or asking a question about the harness configuration) they take an extremely long time to respond even though they aren't attending to other customers. I'll finish off by saying that I just raised an investment round and i found my experience at Mission Cliffs more demoralizing than getting rejected by VC's. read more

I've joined Mission Cliff last year to climb and attend yoga classes. It is everything you need from a gym: conveniently located, with spacious top roping areas, reasonably priced, positive atmosphere. I am saddened to give a poor review, but the young yoga instructor who teaches most of the morning classes on weekdays, Laura, is unfortunately the absolute worst instructor I've came across in 14 years of yoga practice. Beside being extremely patronizing, talking trash about other instructors, constantly bragging about how good she is, and inviting students to attend classes she teaches in other studios, her routines are absolute nonsense: she constantly skips poses on one side and confuses left and right, her poses sometimes escalates into advanced sequences without a proper warmup inviting injuries to happen, she does not give any time to fix form, doesn't seem to care about alignment or corrections, and instead of adapting to the pace of the class, she simply keeps barreling (and talking non stop) through her very confused sequences. I like all the other instructors and wish I could give Mission Cliff a 5 stars, but I really need to to be able to practice yoga in the morning without injuries or having to listen at the instructor's complains. read more

Great climbing facilities! Excellent for those starting to climb and for those who are experienced climbing with an ambition to climb outside. Hone your skills here!! read more

Mission cliffs is a mixed bag.... I've been climbing at Mission Cliffs on and off for years, but never had the time (or a regular belayer) to follow my climbing enthusiasm through. Well now I finally know some peeps who get me there on a periodic basis. So here's what I love about Mission Cliffs: **Total low-key staff. Really helpful, really friendly. **It's a full-on gym! Cardio equipment (although not the best), a circuit area (pretty cramped though), and weights. **Classes too! Yep. Yoga, pilates, boxing, cycling, climbing. **Dedicated people. Don't expect to find anyone reading magazines here. It's ALL BUSINESS. No-frills, no fuss. Just how I like it. **A no-commitment membership. That's right, month-to-month. Although I've yet to sign up, I may consider it... As I ponder the membership, here's what I could do without: **The skanky smells and dirtiness. I'm sorry, I don't want to make it sound like a rat hole, but it's a little rough. It just looks like they don't clean inside very much. **The old tapes that need replacing on MANY of the older routes. There are some routes that are borderline impossible to climb because you can't see where you're going! **It's a freaking MAD HOUSE on weeknights. TOO Crowded, too much chalk-dust flying around, too long to wait. Also on weeknights, I noticed that some climbers are a little territorial. Seriously. Why? Overall, a cool place. Throw in the fact that EVERYONE there is in shape! They offer enough to keep my mind and body (and eyes) active ;) read more

I came here for the introductory lesson. All three students in our intro class were law students. I'm not surprised - law students need to de-stress somehow! Apparently it is either through alcohol, BDSM, or rock climbing. No joke! 1) The introductory lesson is around $25 - $28. 2) Make sure you make a reservation. They have a morning class, 2:30 PM class, and a 6:00 PM class. (Don't be like me and show up at 3:30!) 3) Class usually lasts about an hour but can take longer. 4) You get a day pass for the same day with the purchase of the intro lesson. 5) Bring a lock for the provided lockers. Our instructor was friendly and helped me see the rock climbing light at the end of tunnel. Because we were late to a concert, he even issued us vouchers to continue our climbing another day. Maybe it's because he got to make fun of me so much? It's not a secret I'm not too coordinated. Did you know there is even a sauna in the changing room? It's a great room for drying off from the rain or a shower(blow drying is inefficient in my opinion)! You can even use it for traditional sauna purposes! The possibilities are endless. read more

Adam, at Mission Cliffs, is SUPER nice! Extremely helpful and friendly. My friend forced us to come here and I'm so glad he did. This place is super spacious and the people are friendly. You get some of those snooty "I'm so good, I should be climbing on REAL cliffs" types - yea? well why don't you. On the other hand, some people are really nice. If you happen to get stuck on a route, some people will yell out where to go and suggestions. I haven't been in awhile but I'd like to go regularly and this place is perfect. Close, lots of parking and helpful staff. I think the routes change too! I can only get in 3 climbs so the prices are pretty expensive (I have to get shoes) but I'd like to own my own stuff some day. My biggest, biggest gripe is that I see a lot of people walk around barefoot - straight up nasty. I feel so dirty after I climb here and it's not just the sweat! read more

It's all right for the money and there are many different levels of walls/climbs. I went on a weekday evening, and it felt like I was in a cage with hundreds of chimpanzees. Caution: with that many chimps in one spot, it tends to smell like a zoo as well. I did, however, surprise myself because I made it all the way to the top and then back down and then back up and then back down and then back up again without falling or needing to have myself hoisted down by my more experienced belay partner. I like heights, I like hot men; and this gym has plenty of both. I wish my gym had walls like the ones at MC. They're super fun, and brings out the primate in me. read more

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. read more

As a fairly regular climber (3-4/week), and fairly new San Francisco mission-ish resident- MC is the closest and most convenient climbing gym for me. That being said- I spend most of my time bouldering while there. The Good: Lots of variety (though the problems I can actually do wear out quickly). Clean lockers (for me, at least) and showers) Convenient Location The Bad: It seems as if MC is the place to go if you're... a) Like to talk about yourself b) Like to talk about yourself in the tech industry. c) like to talk about how big of a shot you are at your job in the tech industry (I'm looking at you shirtless, pudgy, curly haired, beardo and friend). Oh- and don't even think about missing a hold lest you incur the passive agressive banter of your fellow climbers (see list above for description). "You HAVE to use all the holds. They put them there for a reason." If all that sounds bitter- it's because I am. I'm a teacher. The last thing I want to do after work is hear overgrown children moan and complain about their overpaid jobs. Just shut up and climb. If you can- avoid it. GWPC in Oakland, and Ironworks in Berkeley win hands down with a blindfold on. If not- grin and bear it...or write a Yelp review. read more

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. read more

First off, I love the folks behind the desk, they're all fabulous, a special shout out to Daniel and Steve my boys. I've been going here for about 3 years now. Things I like: 1. They change the boulder routes routinely, love that. 2. The staff is very helpful and friendly 3. They're open till 11pm Tuesdays and Thursdays 4. Other climbers here are friends and cool 5. They have great yoga, spinning, and boxing classes during the week. Now for the not so good... Since Mission Cliffs has a pretty much monopoly on climbing gyms in San Francisco they really have let themselves go. This is why competition is so important! Here's a list of gripes, all solvable I might add: 1. Workout equipment is from circa 1995. Especially the cardio machines. 2. If you boulder on a weekday 5-9pm someone will fall on you or come very close to falling on you. 3. The crash mattresses are mega old and nasty 4. The locker room looks like it's from right from my old high school roman showers and all. 5. When I would workout in the morning the cleaning dude would always mop right when I got there, I love bleach fumes in the morning, must say it's hard to resist. Seriously, if MC weren't 3 blocks from my house I would go somewhere else. MC having janky equipment isn't cool. read more

I've only been here to boulder on a few of the too-far-in-between occasions that I've gone up to San Francisco in the last year, but even on those experiences, I must say MC is a great climbing gym with plenty of character... Coming in off the street, you'll either first notice one of the following: 1) the monumental main wall (with the notably steeped base) that stands high, extending beyond the i-beams that constitute the ceiling of the warehouse, or 2) the multi-floored layout with the bouldering section and some top-rope routes elevated on an indoor mezzanine. (OR you might notice the huge crossbeam and crane overhead, hearkening to when the building was probably part of SF's industrial history. I'm kind of a geek, I know.) One of the impressive features of the gym's offerings is the multitude of contours and architecture (man-made rock formations: is that still architecture?!). Many top-rope climbs/routes look like they involve some traversal of buttresses, cracks, or transitions from slabs to steeps; few strictly vertical climbs. Also, for the hardcore, there is an ominous archway for lead climbers... For my taste, the bouldering area here is excellent, in both the variety and challenge, as well as the friendly attitude and encouragement from other climbers/enthusiasts/strangers. The lower overall height of the bouldering area here, IMO, is more than compensated for with intense, dynamic and fun climbs, testing technique and strength in tandem to a high degree... Satifying when completed, frustrating when failed, but all the while, its not uncommon to be cheerlead'd by friendly looker-ons. On yet another positive note for safety sticklers (and you should be, shouldn't you?), getting the [permanent] belay card here is a task, as the staff closely critiques everything from technique to tie-ins. If any part is shy of perfect, you only get a temporary/day belay card; I've YET to get my [permanent] card after three attmempts. That level of mindfulness is awesome!! All in all, an awesome facility, staff, and patronage... (and goodness, there are pretty PRETTY people here! YAY!) _________________________________________ Best part of tweeting that I'd been here? Darling Jaye C. replying exuberantly "Kevin Rose climbs there!" read more

DO NOT GO TO MISSION CLIFFS AND RENT THEIR EQUIPMENT. YOU MAY BE RISKING YOUR LIFE. Everyone who climbs or wants to climb at Mission Cliffs should read this. I went with my boyfriend, who climbs there, on Monday, 1/19, and rented one of their harnesses. When I got to the top of one of the routes the strap on my right leg came apart. I was freaking out and didn't know what to do. My boyfriend was on belay and in that timeframe, there was no one at Mission Cliffs to help. Luckily (I was very lucky then), there was an experienced climber who got to the top and strapped me in again. I came down, shaken. I can't believe this happened. My bf and I check our harnesses and configuration before every climb. I had also gone through the climb and belay test just 20 minutes earlier and knew the drill. When we took the harness to the front desk, the guy there examined it and saw that the clasp on the right leg was broken and separated from the belt. And that was it. He took it in, no apologies, no calls to the manager, nothing. If this is the kind of gym you want to go, you better think twice. If they don't even check the equipment they rent out (which is extremely old), what other safety measures do you think they exclude on a daily basis? This was by far one of the scariest experiences I have ever gone through. You can be sure that I will never go to Mission Cliffs again. read more

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. read more

This place is so dirty that I actually, sadly, stopped climbing here. I was a four day a week climber. The same abandoned hair tie (full of someones gross hair) was in the ladies bathroom for about four months before it was cleaned up. Just a signal that the place was not being properly cleaned. Only climbing outside or traveling to another climbing gym from now on. And I am a fairly gross person, but this took the cake. The foot smell every time I have walked in here for the past few years will not be missed. It is about 3 times stinkier than any other climbing gym. read more

I have a lot of friends who rock climb, and so my boyfriend and I got ourselves a Groupon for an introductory rock climbing class at Mission Cliffs. We then proceeded to procrastinate using it because we thought we would be absolutely terrible. My boyfriend doesn't know what he's talking about. He's a fit, robust guy and he knows what he's doing. Me, on the other hand...I come from a long, proud line of pear-shaped, T-rex-armed women. I have been diligently working on my upper body strength, but it's really quite slow going. And so, not wanting to lose out on a Groupon and wanting to take part in this activity my friends promised me was fun, I hauled myself out to Mission Cliffs full of fear and trepidation. I was a little surprised to find that Mission Cliffs has gym equipment as well as rock walls, but I was also surprised to see what an incredibly warm community there was around me. Rock climbing, as I learned, is pretty impossible to do on your own - you always need someone to hang onto your rope while you're climbing. And so the climbers formed a really cozy community. At first I felt a little like I was peeking in on something that wasn't mine, but eventually I realized that everyone was probably even happier to have me around than I was to be there. And then the class started. My boyfriend and I got there for the early class and so had the instructor all to ourselves. He was friendly and knowledgeable, and in a short period of time I went from having no idea what was going on to having enough knowhow to get myself up and down a wall, and to ensure that I didn't drop my boyfriend like a sack of potatoes onto the bouncy, spongey floor. By the time we ventured out to an actual climb, my clumsy fingers found their way around the knots with relative ease and I felt that I knew what to do for almost any situation in which our inexperienced bodies would find themselves. And then we climbed. And climbed. And climbed. I think I made it up the wall two-and-a-half times before my body all but gave out. Not just my upper body, mind you - no, climbing is as much about pushing yourself as it is about pulling, and as much about strategy as it is about brute force (at least it is when you're tiny like me). My whole body just said, "You know what, Becca? I don't think I have anything left to give you." I was completely utterly spent, and it actually felt really good. While my body asked me to please stay away from Mission Cliffs for a few days, my heart and mind are ready for more. And I shall return. And then I get to be part of the smiling camaraderie on a Saturday morning where friendly, happy people cavalierly hoist themselves up giant walls using tiny footholds. Thanks, Mission Cliffs - for helping me see that I'm ready to live the dream. read more

Went rock climbing for the first time here a couple weeks ago. My first reaction as soon as I stepped into the gym: Holy fkin shit, these patrons are RIPPED. Their upper body muscles are crazy. Some strong ass bitches here for sure. Okay I always underestimate things until I try them. I tried the boulder area to start off, and damn, it is HARD. Which means.. I'm in dire need of a workout. Tried the ballay area (with the ropes and stuff) and wow.. Died after doing a few of those sessions. What a workout. I was sore for 3 days. Loads of women (especially lesbians)... Average age groups about 20-30, however I've seen some kids here too. Individual session = $18, but students are about $11, and memberships... If I remember correctly is like $50+, but don't quote me on that part. The surrounding areas are pretty much in a bad neighborhood, from what I saw, but whatever, I'm not the one who's driving...and perhaps getting my radio snatched out of my car...Anyway it's an awesome gym. Definitely recommended. read more

This is not a great gym or rock climbing gym. You're much better off going to planet granite. Here are the reasons why - Poor Locker Rooms: Small and poorly organized. For example towels aren't stored in the locker room because there isn't enough room. - Climbing facilities: 1) Routes have heavy grade inflation, in no other gym am I doing 5.12's. Thanks for the ego boost but, no. 2) Why is the carpet where people climb always bunched? It doesn't have to be this way. - Staff: Uninspired and brusque. - Rental gear: my friend visited and the shoes were horrible and the harnesses not user friendly. read more

I come to Mission Cliffs during the week on my way home from work. It is one of the Touchstone gyms so if you have their regular membership, you can use it here and at any of their other gyms. For me that would be Berkeley Ironworks and sometimes Oakland Great Western Power Co. Their website is pretty comprehensive in terms of the information they provide about the specs, events, rates, class schedules, etc. I give Mission Cliffs five stars for their high climbing walls and the varied and interesting routes. My favorites are the fun overhang problems, and the high walls definitely give you an opportunity to build up your endurance. The variations in the route setting also means you can practice different climbing techniques and it's really awesome. It can get pretty crowded during the week, but I have never had to wait long to get on the rope. Their bouldering area is upstairs and it's a little cramped but still decent. The workout area is a little small (compared to Berkeley Ironworks) and the cardio machines are scattered (some upstairs and some by the shop) but it's no big deal. And it's only a block away from Southern Pacific Brewing company, so you know...if you get thirsty after the climb you know where to quench your thirst. read more

Mission Cliffs has done some very recent updating and beautifying. Very nice, MC! And the staff is still fabulous and friendly, for the most part. My only complaint is the crowded condition, of late. Though the gym has been crowded in the past, it seemed to be full of people who knew the unspoken rules of climbing etiquette. In my opinion, Mission Cliffs needs to put up a sign of Climbing Etiquette 101. If you don't tell the newbies, how will they know? Bert M's suggestions for that list: 1) Don't start climbing something directly under or next to someone else. This not only messes up his/her concentration, but also can be very dangerous if the person falls off, kicking you in the head in the process. Give that person a little head start if he/she was there first. (Climbing "through" someone is the equivalent of seeing people waiting in line at the bank and just butting in at the beginning of the line while stepping on everyone's feet on the way past.) 2) Don't constantly yell "helpful" instructions at the person you're belaying. It annoys your partner, as well as everyone else within earshot. (Yelling instruction is the equivalent of picking your nose in an office meeting, then announcing to everyone that you got it and wiping it on your sock.) 3) Don't let your children run rampant and unsupervised. This is dangerous for them and the other climbers. It's also very loud. Inside voices please. (Letting your children run around willy-nilly as though they're in an amusement park is the equivalent of... well, letting your children run around willy-nilly anywhere else in the world that isn't an amusement park.) I love that so many new people want to check out climbing! And, I think people are willing to follow social rules if they know what they are. Hey MC, how about filling people in when they arrive for their first try at climbing? read more

This place rocks, no pun intended. Rock climbing virgin no more thanks to mission cliffs. Took the required beginner intro class my first time around then stuck around with my friends. We were also able to have lunch at a nearby mexican dive and come back. In and out privileges are pretty awesome. Yay for...the variety of courses, the boulders, friendliness and helpfulness of staff, clean lockers, the vast number of restaurants in the area Nay for...the crowdedness it gets on the evenings and the weekends, the scary walk from the BART station (how many crackheads did I pass? Dunno..lost count), the run-down workout room (often times the treadmill is broken and the equipment needs to get updated.) 3 and a half stars. read more

For years I've wanted to join a rock climbing gym but kept putting it off since I was already going to the boxing gym. However, I finally decided to give it a go when my co-worker told me he had a free pass I could use. So I went, took the little belayers test thing, and off I went. Awesomeness on a cliff. It was harder than I thought it would be, and strange enough, easier than I thought it would be. I don't have much trouble doing pullups so I figured I'd climb these walls like it was no thang. I was wrong. Started on a 5.9 and it kicked my ass about 3/4 of the way up. After completing it and moving to a 5.10a I figured it would be much harder. But after applying some of the techniques I learned from climbing the 5.9 I found I made it up the 5.10a no problem. Then I tried a 5.10b and got my ass kicked again, hah. Regardless of the ass kicking I was always having fun and felt like I was learning something each time I went up. Bonus for it being back-friendly. I hurt my lower-back earlier this year so was concerned that the climbing might aggravate it but found it actually helped. After each climbing session my back is worked but relaxed. Aside from the main walls, there is also a bouldering area where you don't need a partner. Cool thing about the bouldering is that everyone is ready to help each other. People who don't know each other are often asking or giving advice or discussing how to tackle one of the routes. So while you don't have a partner in the bouldering area it's actually a lot more social and friendly (though the belaying area is also friendly). Next to the bouldering you have treadmills and other cardio equipment. Downstairs is a small free weight and machine area. There is a studio for Yoga and other classes. The bathroom has lockers, showers, and a sauna. The front area has a spot where you can lock your bikes or leash your pet. They also carry all the climbing gear you need and if you buy a certain amount (I THINK over $70.00) you get a 10% discount. If I remember correctly, renting the gear is about $5. Oh yeah, there's a foosball table, PC for general net access, and free wifi. With all that, the monthly membership ($60) is well worth it imo. So much so that I signed up on the spot after I used my co-workers guest pass and have been going ever since. Now a bunch of my friends are clamoring for use of my free guest passes. read more

Wahwahweewah. I have never in my life seen such a gigantic climbing gym. My boyfriend's brother Javi is an avid climber, climbing at the very least once a week. So upon his visit to San Francisco we felt compelled to take him to the promised land. As soon as we stepped into Mission Cliffs he was speechless and he couldn't wait to get climbing. Unfortunately my two friends and I are rookies. So Javi was kind enough to show us the ropes (pun intended) before we got started. The gym is great for beginners and experts alike. I was scared shitless going up the "bunny" wall, while I watched the pros jumping around on the more advance walls with ease. Even if you aren't into climbing it is really incredible just to go watch. And you can do that for free. yaya, my favo. read more

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. read more

So it seems like if you want to take an intro class to climbing in San Francisco, you have only 2 options. So you can't be picky. But even then, my trip to Mission Cliffs was pretty awesome. Went there with a buddy of mine for the 12.30 class. Neither one of us had ever done this. First good surprise, it was only $22 each even though the website says $28. Cool. The guy explaining the basics was pretty cool and did a good job at teaching us basic safety procedures. The place was nice and big enough with enough routes (if that's how they call it) for beginners. It's also cool that they have a weight room and cardio machine if you want to come in for a complete workout. I will definitely be back although I think I won't get a membership but use the day pass option for $12 (plus $5 for the equipment). The only thing is that I would recommend coming in early, as it started getting crowded when we left at 5.30pm. Also I see some reviews complaining about the place being not so clean... isn't climbing supposed to be an outdoor activity? I believe that would be much dirtier... if you want immaculate, just go do pilates at the Sportsclub LA. But then again, I've practiced MMA ground work in tiny, badly ventilated gyms with 10 other sweaty guys, so there is not much that can indispose me anymore :) read more

Man okay so this place is really awesome as a novice / casual top-roper. Fun and diverse routes with cool colored holds and the clientele is nice and interesting. Its location is convenient to me, and the expansion is a really interesting challenge to climb on. As a whole, Touchstone is an awesome chain to belong to, with a bunch of very different and good gyms around the Bay area, and if you join one you join them all. But man there are some problems. The customer service is mostly appalling. With some exceptions, the desk people are uninterested in helping out, don't greet you or look you in the eye, and are often away from the desk. Case in point, one day, me: "Do you offer personal training?" Desk person: "We have a personal trainer associated with us, but they're shockingly expensive." And then turned to walk away. That's government bureaucracy quality of customer service there. Or tonight, I asked for a towel at close: "Aw too bad! You missed towel service," and threw me a towel after I insisted. That sort of thing: a mix of pretentious, cold, and weirdly buddy-buddy. I really hate it and it's by far the thing that bothers me most. I pay 73 bucks a month in membership fees. I'd like to be treated with professional courtesy. The weight room was really small when I joined, and since construction has started, it's become even smaller, and now it's moved to a part of the gym that's real awkward. Too open to foot traffic, benches are positioned near protruding wall parts, no mirrors. It's bad and probably dangerous, and there's no indication if it will change. The bouldering area is small too and the problems frustratingly hard for a beginner like me. I guess the difficulty goes with the territory but Dogpatch and Ironworks seem to hit the sweet spot more consistently. Gym closes super early on the weekends. 7pm doesn't really cut it. Many frayed ropes on the top rope routes, and semi-frequent loose holds. Is this dangerous or just annoying? Well that's it. I've been coming here since December 2013 and getting more and more frustrated. So okay in sum: a large, beautiful top-rope climbing gym in the Mission that has some small but significant flaws not apparent at first glance. I really hope something changes. read more

This gym has a lot of ropes but a nice sized bouldering area. It's spread out so seems spacious, even in a busy day.

I'm a huuuge rock climbing fan now, and perhaps my review is a bit harsher just because I'm not just a 1-timer wowed by rock climbing in general. MC is awesome. The vibe here is perfectly mission -esque with friendly people and a great atmosphere. The pluses: First timers will love it... hey cause everybody loves to climb rock They have some really high walls to test your endurance and your ability to consistently do difficult moves The the difficulty range here is nice, with plenty for everyone from 5.9 up to 5.12d. I notice that there's a bit of sparcity in the 13's on, but more htan i've seen at other gyms Bouldering is fun (though a bit limited). Cons: crowded... man there's alot of people here. It's always tough to get the climb you really want. Definately don't be shy and always ask "hey you guys switching off on that rope?" The climbs are graded pretty friendly here. Over at PG I can climb 10a strong and dabble in the 10b/c range. Here I'm hitting all the 10B most Cs and got a 10d under my belt! the leadclimbers here tend to be really uppity about how good they are... get over it and let me learn! All in all i love the place, and if it were only a little less crowded I'd probably be a member (instead of a 10-pass holder) read more

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. read more

There's no other place in SF for a straight girl to view hot, chiseled men with their shirts consistently off. Well, besides SOMA and the Castro, but those are mostly Bears. The yoga and kick boxing classes are great and there is a great schedule to choose from. Ive taken numerous people here, from casual day dates to introducing my mom to climbing - she really rocked it once we got the issue of learning the ropes out of the way, (that took patience). Tue + Thu evenings their open until 11pm and the place gets packed, especially the bouldering area. I've learned to steer clear during those times. Going during the early mid afternoon is perfect for leisurely bouldering without any waiting or being cramped by people standing around. I used to come here at 6am 3x a week, the place was always calm and you can choose any routes without waiting. The work out area is kind of small. Sometimes it gets cold since it's in a huge warehouse space. This has been my home away from home in the past. I've met great people, and my posture was never better after just a month of climbing. read more

I'm addicted to climbing... been going to MC several times a week since 2005. I've also been to Ironworks in Berkeley, TS in SJ, the new GWPC downtown 510 and other climbing gyms in the BA, on the West Coast and Europe... so plenty of perspectives. MC rocks! but... I did not select 5 stars because MC is plainly exploiting their monopoly in the city and this has become just painful. I'm surprised that only 5 people have rated this place 3 stars & under. Some reviews actually only depict poor personal experiences and do not constitute objective criticism but most reviews, even those with high ratings, already report what I'm about to say but still, MC gets 4 or 5 stars, thus my previous statement: MC gets a great average simply because Yelpers love climbing in the city, not because of the gym itself. The amount of people on Tue, Wed and Thur nights goes beyond my mind: it's impossible to find a route, people literally climb and even fall on each others. An outdoor terrace on a warm sunny day with free beer wouldn't be any more crowded! The air quality is terrible; look at all the floating chalk in a ray of light or at the amount of dust on beams and furniture! The air temperature is always off, way too cold or hot, fans are ridiculous and loud, thank god the poor staff members have an overhead heater. The painting and lighting is so depressing and dark that I forbid myself to get inside on nice and sunny days. And it's funny how people line up for yoga classes, ending up exercising face-first in their neighbor's sweaty ass. Half the basic plywood hand-made lockers are damaged and boy! does that room smell like decaying sweaty old socks! Floors are simply bare concrete... I mean, I can appreciate the overall natural touch, but it should really not be complicated to upkeep the place. Why did TS feel the need to build a new tiny-ass gym in the EB where it already has so much to do to improve its flagship? Please! for the love of the sport, install air purifiers and reversible air conditioning, remodel these locker rooms and demolish some walls to let the sunlight come in!! I'm not sure what can be done about the crowd but Planet Granite is about to open an impressive spanking new climbing gym, with massive glass walls, just off of gorgeous Crissy Field and I'm pretty sure people aren't gonna stay faithful to TS very long. MC's patrons are just too much in love with climbing and surprisingly way too complacent to pressure management. I hope this review and the introduction of PG's new gym will change the deal. 5/1/09 UPDATE: I went back to MC a couple of weeks ago and it was awesome! They clearly have listened to our remarks on Yelp and improved the facilities: new lockers and remodeled locker room, new refreshing painting, an entirely new window-panel-wall in the back... Great, yyiiiieeahhh! read more

It was my first time. And I freakin' loved it. I had only heard good things about Mission Cliffs for climbing, but when my friend, who was experienced in bouldering, was in town, he suggested we try that. Not knowing the difference, but always up for a new sport (i.e. a new way to destroy my body), I was eager to give it a try. The routes, or "problems" as they're called, were pretty challenging, but they had a variety of good ones for beginners. The cool thing is, there is a weights and a cardio section, so if you need to take a rest or a break for a bit, you can always go back to the wall. I found this extremely helpful since I wasn't used to using my forearms or hand muscles so much--especially to pull my whole body weight up a wall! What really stood out in my mind was that the people there were super friendly and helpful. Even though it was my first time, I totally felt at ease and not self conscious (well, as much as you could for doing anything physically challenging and new). Also, I didn't feel intimidated or weak for being a woman--I saw a lot of women kicking ass up on those walls! Make sure you spend the extra few bucks to get chalk and tape for your hands--WELL worth it to prevent blisters! I was "rocking" a good soreness for 2 days after, but it was well worth it. Hurts so good! Can't wait to check it out again! read more

I've quit... after years of climbing, I'm frustrated by the filth of MC and lack of simple repairs. Example: There has been a mini human-size hole in the back room for over a year. Their solution? Put tape over it instead of replacing the mat. Example: I sliced open my elbow on a wall two summers ago. The blood is still there... yes folks, the climbing walls aren't cleaned. Example: Go to the short routes upstairs, climb to the top and look down at the dust bunnies of chalk and dust that have never been touched. There is one bunny that a partner and I named last year that is still there... he's just gotten fatter! Good bye MC and hope you clean up your act... it's really pretty gross. read more

Mission Cliffs may have more climbing walls and the bouldering area upstairs might be a little bigger but the cardio, weight machine and free weights areas are significantly smaller and more cramped than Ironworks in Berkeley. Since I use the facilities mostly for the gym, I wish there were more cardio machines that weren't so close together but the view more than makes up for it. They also have later cardio kickboxing and yoga classes which works well for me. I saw a taco truck parked out front. There's usually one parked in front of Ironworks during the week too. That's just mean. read more

My girl has been sayin to me "Hey let's go rock climbin, it'll help me get into shape yadayadayada"... my usual response is "Hell yea let's go" mainly because i thought i would be good at it being that i consider myself to be in pretty good shape. So we went before 3pm because that's when it's cheaper, and less crowded. And apparently we had to go through a crash course on how to climb, belay, safety issues and all that dumb shit. kidding. But the guy who taught us did a really good job, cuz i wasn't paying much attention but still figured it out. So when we start climbin i start to feel confident because we started off on the rock with no actual color-coded routes. I was thinkin "this aint so hard" so we move on to a rock where there are many routes which are labeled by its difficulty. So i take the medium/hard one and i start climbin. So im feelin real good and still thinkin "this aint so bad".. all of a sudden I hit the part where the rock slopes against you.. now im sweatin bullets and my palms feel like they're on fire, and im stressin out because i cant find a hold thats the color of the route im on. So without lookin at my girl, i tell her i need to go down because im tired as shit, and while im doing so, theres people passin me up the rock left and right with ease. So when i look down at her i notice that i am barely 10 feet off the floor, which isn't very high... and a kick to the balls of my self-esteem. It was here at Mission Cliffs where i came to the realization that my upper body strength can be laughed at by my girlfriend and many others. Im still havin trouble trusting whoever is belaying me but i guess that disappears over time. nonetheless me and the misses had an incredible time making fools of ourselves in front of people who seem to be regulars there. Such a good time that imma be back doing the same exact thing. read more

I must say, this is a wonderful work out. A lot of it deals with muscle control, trusting on your partner, and mapping out your course. With that said, I've become a fan of rock climbing. I like the facility, the courses range from beginner, to pro as well as bouldering, so with that said, its going to take you some time before you reach "Ceiling" (pun intended) of conquering the courses. The staff is friendly, and knowledgeable of their craft. the only let down is the lack of parking. It seems that any time of the day, parking will always be an issue. I recommend you to check this out, the price is reasonable and the experience is great to have. read more

No I don't climb rocks. Stephanie don't play that. But my friend recently threw a birthday party for his young daughter here and I have to say it was pretty damn cool. The kids ranged in ages from 5 to 14 and they seemed to have a great time. The staff was attentive and the gent who was coaching the kids, mostly girls, on how to climb etc.. seemed very patient and encouraging. The most amazing thing was to watch these little kids scale the wall all the way to the top (30ft straight up?) like an anxious monkey and then repell down like it "twernt no thang." I guess the young are truly fearless. And now I am inspired. There was a small, modest room in the back where the kiddies had lunch and cake after it was all over. I am guessing it's for rent. The party was on a Saturday afternoon. It was pretty crowded in there but all the other adults who were there to practice their skills seemed fine with sharing the walls. I saw a few people climbing and conquering what looked to be impossible overhangs. Amazing. read more

Everything you need for a gym, but the interpersonal experience with staff is unpleasant, and I feel like the place would really benefit from nicer workers. I've been to Mission Cliffs for two summers now, but this time, signing up for the membership again, the two staff members who helped me were 1) unwilling to help cancel a transaction once I saw that there was a summer deal, after I had paid for the regular membership 2) genuinely unhappy when I asked if I could pay for both my friend and I's membership on my card. He looked me straight in the eye with the expression you'd give your mother who won't let you go out at night, "You should have told me that earlier." Really hard to let this one pass. The other guy, I asked, "Is it really hard to do that?" (that as in change my charge) Him without looking me in the eye: "Yeah, we would have to cancel the whole transaction and everything... -continues to do something else-" Didn't know that what I was paying for was not up to me. Really unhappy with the service here, but I'll be back for the weights, bouldering when it's not too crowded, sauna, showers, and towel service. read more

Great rock gym. You SFers have it really good up there. Mission Cliffs is well ventilated. Lots and lots of top rope, with long and high routes. No autobelay, so make friends! The bouldering section is somewhat wanting, felt a little cramped with a lot of overhung problems. If I lived in the area, I'd be a member. There's also plenty of new looking well-maintained gym equipment, fresh towels to use, and even a sauna! Lucky lucky SFers... read more