A great range of excellent grades for every skill set. Pair that with friendly, knowledgable staff, this old school gym is simply rad! A slab wall, crack climbing, and more make this a destination. You aren't going to find this unique terrain anywhere else in the area. Thrilled to have rediscovered this spot! read more

Friendly, communicative and welcoming staff! The gym is clean and there's always room for people to climb, especially new people. There's a sense of community and welcoming for new members. They're always changing the routes so it always feels fresh. Kid friendly too. read more

Vertex Climbing Center - Climbing Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

So thankful for Trey helping and assisting my daughter today. We're visiting from out of town during Spring Break. My 8 year old daughter did a day pass. This was her first time trying at a real climbing gym. We arrived at 10 AM on a Tuesday. No one was in the gym except Trey who checked us in, helped put on the gear, and assisted us for a good while. He helped us w the belays and was supportive and taught climbing moves. My daughter LOVED it and we went back after lunch for another 2 hours. Thank you so much Trey! Also big shout out to Jasper for the fun assist this afternoon. You both made her experience one to remember. We'll be looking for a climbing gym close to home! Thanks for a great day read more

My son wanted to have his 8th Birthday party at a climbing gym. Session was way to expensive so checked out Vertex. Other than some some technical issues with booking the party I really can't speak highly enough of our experience. What an incredible value, to have 2 of our own belay's was amazing. They were so nice, patient and helpful. I generally try to get names to give a personal thank you but I forgot to write them down! But thank you Vertex team for an amazing experience! This will not be our last birthday here! read more

Vertex Climbing Center - Climbing Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

Today, at the age of 40, I had my first ever climbing experience AND I'M HOOKED. If you've never tried this before, the best way to describe it is, take the physical challenge, combined with the mental challenge, combined with strategic puzzle solving while confronting fear in the face. Because that is what is happening during your first climb. And that's what ropes you in. No pun intended. When I called they were so friendly and happy to answer all of my gazillion questions and invited me to come by. Better yet, they said bring the kid by too. Yup, their climbers start at 5yrs old. My 5 year old had the time of his life. Walking in, WOW!!!! Friendly greeting. Those vertical walls. A bouldering section. Not to mention a super chill and low key vibe there. There was a cute climbing mascot named Tahoe. Brain was the one who helped us today and gave so much time and patience to our family since we just kind of showed up off the street. My son and I are already talking about when we're coming back. This was such a huge confidence booster for my little boy. Everyone was so helpful and gave us the most positive and comforting safe experience. Thank you Vertex team. read more

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I've been going to vertex for almost 8 years and I plan to stay here forever. Best gym, best sport, and amazing owner.

I took my 12 year old son here today and we had such a great experience. Everyone working was very friendly, and helpful. They had a spring break camp going and we were not a part of that but still felt very welcomed and staff went out of their way to help my son with figuring out the best routes and techniques. They had a little construction going on and that crew was also very pleasant and engaging. Can't wait to go back, great work guys! read more

Vertex Climbing Center - Climbing Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

We came to a birthday party there today and the staff were fantastic!!! My child was slightly fearful....and Mo recognized it immediately...was extremely supportive, helped guide and navigate him with his fears. He then built his confidence over the next hour climbing higher and higher each time. Then Will came along and gave him suggestions with footwork and hand placement and he got to the top of the wall twice. My child who was nervous about coming today, had the time of his life and already asking to come back!!! He was encouraged at his rate of speed and felt safe every minute. Thank you to Mo and Will for being so good at your job and helping kids overcome their fears!!! He felt very proud of himself and will definitely be back. read more

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Kids' camp for my 14 year old grandson was outstanding!! The counselors and other climbers were friendly and outgoing to someone from out of town and no experience. So welcoming! He was unsure about the whole thing but wound up really having a great week. Thank you to everyone! read more

We went to Vertex on a field trip with our charter school and the experience was great! From start to finish we felt welcomed and supported by the staff. We will return. read more

10/10 recommend this place. They have created a true community that is welcoming to brand new and advanced climbers alike. The staff is incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and supportive. They have fantastic kids programs and membership options- my daughter loves going there anytime she can to climb and just to see the staff who always make her feel like "one of the crew". Definitely check them out! read more

Vertex Climbing Center - Climbing Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

I loved this gym. One of the things I have been doing recently is bringing all my climbing stuff on trips. I try to find a local gym and have some fun. This gym has a really cool feel to it and its pretty large. The front desk guy was really nice and I had a bit of conversation. The routes were good. I felt they were properly rated. I was hitting and missing v3s and attempting v4s and getting close. So it felt perfectly rated. There is one thing about this gym that is different than my local home gym they use tape to mark routes and not match hold colors. So at first I really struggled to find how the routes worked. I both liked and hated this. It was a little tough if you lost the route while on the wall and instead of knowing its the blue hold it could be a white hold with blue tape. But the huge advantage is that they cover every inch of the wall Its like a splash wall so you have a ton of different routes. It was a great bouldering experience and I really liked their workout area as well. read more

Honestly not one of the best gyms out there. The route setting is old school, which I am used to because of my home gym, but there just was not any unique routes when I went. The gym is really dark, kind of dirty, and small. read more

I've been climbing for 4 years and this gym is what I've been looking for. I was a volunteer and member at SLO OP in San Luis Obispo and after I moved recently to the North Bay, I've been searching for a solid gym. THIS is it. It's a cozy little gym that has super friendly people and the routes are challenging. I was climbing V4's, V5's, and V'6s, but when I started climbing at this place, I'm down to V2's and V3's. It's like outdoor ratings. This isn't a place for the lazy climber... you definitely get stronger and better climbing here. It's all about feet work. I love that they change the routes pretty frequently too. Good place. It reminds me of the climbing community in SLO. OHHH, and if you're an employee with REI, Agilent, or other nearby companies, you get a discount off your membership :) read more

Been a member for a couple years. I climb 3-4 times per week. Always a wonderful experience. Love the vibe and the people there. I've tried Session our other local climbing gym and it just doesn't compare to the family feel at Vertex. read more

I definitely thought rock climbing was easier than it looked. Rock climbing is TOUGH! It takes a lot of core and upper body strength to do a lot of the climbing and the harder climbing where the more advanced climbers get even more difficult. Id love to master climbing if I get more time too. It really is an excellent source of exercise and its a great activity to do with your friends which is the type of exercise I prefer. I will definitely be back! read more

Vertex Climbing Center - Climbing Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

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In my personal opinion, the climbing grades at Vertex are unreasonably hard. The transition from a V0 to a V1 are absolutely ridiculous, and a V2 being nearly impossible for beginners. While I am not a beginner, I find it very hard to warm up on the wall and jump on anything without becoming discouraged. Climbing is my favorite thing to do, and coming here projecting a V3/v4 for a months has made me hate it. So, unless you spend all your time climbing Bishop/JTree grades or are on the higher end of climbing grades, prepare for immediate discouragement and potential injuries (especially if you're a novice, the mats are not the best to fall on and the holds are always greasy). Two stars because the staff has always been friendly, but I really dislike this gym. If I could go anywhere else that was convenient for my time/travel, I would. read more

Many of the best times I have had since moving to Sonoma County have been while climbing at vertex with my friends. I find the layout and interior of this rock climbing gym to be more appealing than other rock climbing gyms, but I can't entirely wrap my head around why. Right when you walk in on the left, there is a bouldering section right there as well as another larger bouldering section in the back, and ample variety in rope climbs. They also have three automatic belays which is great if you happen to be waiting for your friends to arrive (it's also nice to switch it up every once in a while). This place can become rather packed, especially after 5 PM, but there is so much climbing space that it doesn't really phase me. If you plan on going often, I suggest getting the punchcard because you'll be getting a better deal. Best rock climbing gym I have been to so far. read more

We Recently had our son's 8th Birthday Party with Vertex - All was smooth, affordable and easy.They even had young staff (Around 12-14 years old) who were helping our young climbers lead courses and Belay. All the Kids had a blast. (The break room they offer is small - so keep that in mind...) but super positive and attentive. Thanks Vertex Staff! read more

Love this gym! The staff is uber friendly. Very encouraging and great for newbies or veterans. I have been going again for their assisted climb time where the staff is your belayer and it is awesome. You just get to show up and climb for 2 hours! The staff is encouraging to keep you going and challenge your strength and keep you growing as a climber. Love this place. read more

I'm pretty sure this is the only climbing gym in Sonoma County. They've got a weight gym upstairs, that is usually kind of disorganized and sparse in weights, a patio backyard area where they do Pilates, and the main ground floor room with all the routes. They've got everything from 5.6 to 5.11c I believe. Staff is very friendly, and helpful. They have rentals for those who have none of their own gear. My main problem is all the B.O. It blows my mind that there are still some people who have this problem. It's such a big personal problem, with such an easy solution. I guess some people are just animals. read more

Service at the front desk was horrible. The women named Rachel was working and asked me to fill out the waiver. I did and waved ro let her know i waz done. She took two people in line and had a long flirtatious conversation with her friend that was using the center before finshing my transaction. Then when she was finally about to process my payment and give me rhe punch card she stopped and answered the phone and had me wait again when she could have just given me the card i had already just paid for. It was my first time there and i felt very uncomfortable in this situation. It sucks to because im a black women and when service is this bad i feel very alien and unwelcomed in the space. Unfortunately this is the only climbing center i could find in santa rosa so i have no choice. read more

My kids love it here. Nils is a great private instructor! Wonderful local awesome place.

If you're looking for a fun way to get fit and stay active - I'd say, this is the place. The yoga and Acro yoga classes are FIVE STAR classes taught by a FIVE STAR yoga instructor. The community here is incredibly welcoming and encourage you to try new things and test your endurance. There is a locker room with showers. Even a room for birthday parties. read more

This place was really really fun, we are totally going back. The reason I put 4 stars is because they were really under staffed this day. The poor guy at the counter was so frazzled and seem very overwhelmed. I felt bad for him, but he did a great job with us. read more

Best climbing in Santa Rosa! ;) Also rated the best place to meet hot singles in rosa, not just the best place to meet singles, but the best place to meet HOT singles... D'awwww thank guys! We are hot! Come climbing! read more

Best community and climbing gym in the north bay. Routes are sandbagged, so that anywhere you go, you will climb strong. That's the motto! Climb strong. Everyone is supportive, and even on the days you arrive feeling down, you'll leave with a smile. Thanks Vertex for letting me use your thick boulder mat for doing Gymnastics!!! ‍‍ There is no-where like Vertex in Sonoma County for adults over 25. I can tumble, climb, do Acro-Yoga, set up my hammock while I work, and see my best friends! ‍‍ Love, happiness, and strength! Ashley Insta: @wine_country_fitness for climbing shots read more

I was a member here for almost a year, and absolutely love the place. Unfortunately it's been a while since I climbed regularly, both because I don't have as much time to keep up with it, and some friends moved away and I don't have many people to go with anymore (nice to go with a group). I did a lot of climbing the 30' walls on a rope, as well as bouldering. This place is fantastic, and I love the staff. They even have a small gym upstairs, although it is beyond me how anyone could have the energy to lift weights after (or before) climbing the walls. read more

Vertex manages to fit a lot of climbing into a relatively small space (compared to the other gyms I've climbed at). Even so, it almost never feels cluttered, and you can always tell which holds are on a given route. The route setters at Vertex are very active and talented. One or two walls get completely redone every week. The routes are quite difficult, which makes ascending them very rewarding. I would guess that 9/10 people that climb at vertex regularly are totally awesome and friendly. I probably just never got to know the other 1/10. No matter what your skill level is, there will almost always be someone around who can and will help you out. read more

My six year old son and I went yesterday for a birthday party. He had a BLAST!!! One of the employees, Carlo, made our experience very special. He was super friendly, helpful, encouraging and passionate about his job. He is a dream employee! We will definitely be back! read more

I'M took my 3 year old Granddaughter here last Sunday for the first time, from the gate the front desk experience was bad, I felt like I had to plead for some assistance in helping her get started once I signed the waiver and paid the girl at the front desk, long dark hair with bangs seemed like she'd really rather it be there and was not assertive in the least, she found a harness for her, and a father nearby questioned me as to the fit of the harness, he felt it was too big, we finally, after about 30 minutes of more got the same girl to assist in something my kiddo could actually do, she got one good climb and she was done, she's a three, a little young maybe but it was fun for both of us but the service sucked read more

I began climbing February, 2018. Kelly was and is awesome with her attentiveness and explanation of the fine arts of climbing, and her work at the counter. Other employees are great, too; I've never had any problems with staff. I try to attend twice a week, especially during the winter months. I do all the auto-belays and am working towards the more difficult climbs with a partner. This is an all-positive fun work-out, energetic, social place to be. I go home feeling a positive natural high. Conversations with the other climbers and staff are enjoyable. The only problem I have is trying to find someone my age to climb with. I'm 80 (going on 16 :))... read more

Great place to workout, and climb!! What I really enjoy about going to Vertex, is not the wonderful climbing routes they put up (true to their rating too!), not the great workout facilities, but the community that the gym fosters!! They have lots of fun events, and excellent classes. All people (including employees) are happy to be there! All of these wonderful things make "going to the gym" a highlight of my day, instead of a chore! read more

If you are a climber, this gym has a few talented route setters, who make killer routes, and they are also cool people. There is also a pretty cool group of members that climb here. Outside of that, this place has its downfalls. Many of the staff are NOT friendly, and give some attitude about who they like and who they don't and it can be a bummer for sure. It is pricey. $42 a month is a bit much, considering the place is not well kept. Its cold inside often. We are privileged to have a climbing gym in Santa Rosa. I just wish the staff could make you feel privileged to be there. read more

Vertex climbing center is a very special part of Sonoma. I lived there for a few months and spent 4 months as a member before moving to San Francisco. The community, the vibe and the energy of Vertex are absolutely incredible. I felt at home and welcomed. This was the first place I felt like I had met other souls like mine. The community events they do and the focus they have on being sustainable makes them one of the best climbing gyms I have been to. If you have questions on the equipment or climbing techniques, ask anyone around - the staff and clients are all excellent. Much love to Vertex family! read more

I am a current member here. In general the staff is really friendly and always greets me. I often bring first time climbers here to just show them what I do for my workouts. They do have a lot of great events and comps. Routes are fun, people who climb here are friendly. The reason why I rate at 2 stars: My experience today with a female staff member was terrible! She was so rude to me and my friend, in which it was his first time at this gym. Great first impression- NOT. I usually frequent this place on the weekdays during the evening- never the weekend. So I was so shocked at the lack of professional customer service this girl had shown to myself and my friend. Even though she was a bigot to my friend and I, I told my friend to come back with me during the week when I know there is better staff on hand who are much more friendlier, helpful, and actually have a smile on their face! read more

My boys had lots of fum climbing on Saturday. The facility is challenging, clean, and a positive experience. I marked-it down a star because the young man who was with my kids was really quiet, and didn't offer much instruction or energy to the experience. It would have been nice if he was more helpful getting the gear on and off. read more

Vertex Climbing Center - Climbing Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

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We got our 6yo climbing at Vertex after we couldn't get her down off the trees. She loves the gym and looks forward to her class each week. Her 8yo sister decided to try and now it's a "sister regime" each week.. Great place and builds confidence for your kids ( and maybe the parents ) read more

So, where do I begin. I recently went to Vertex with my two young daughters and girlfriend for a little climbing. I have been to Vertex with my kids about a dozen times or so over the last year, my girlfriend is an avid climber. Upon getting to Vertex the nice guy behind the counter asked me several times about my belay card, bordering on the absurd (I did show him my Vertex belay card). While getting ready the young man came over and asked to see my card, he wanted to see who actually issued me the card, keep in mind that I was getting ready, it wasn't like he saw me do anything wrong and he was double checking the validity of my belay card. I don't look like the typical climber, I'm 6' 240lbs and of the darker complexion (my people aren't the typical climbing type). At this time I felt I was being harassed, or at the very least accused of doing something. I let it go, but I watched other people entering in and not once did he ask to see a belay card from the white members (I know, I said it), and one of the guys I knew and he wasn't an avid climber at all. I spent good money to take the class to get my belay card, punch cards for my daughter, and drop-in fees. I'm a little offended at my treatment, and I don't know if it was related to my color. I have had this feeling before when going into stores back in my college days and I was the only one asked to leave my backpack at the counter, so you get my drift. I find that the staff there are hit and miss, arrogant and self-absorbed at times. In all fairness, I did try and contact the owner Gorden Cooley to talk to him before posting this, but my msg. fell on deaf ears, but in all fairness, I had to give the young lady who took my msg. my number about ten times before she got it. In my over twenty years of being in the outdoor industry I have learned a few things that I believe are true about this situation. One, this falls under poor ownership & poor management category. Two, the staff at Vertex has no direction, or work ethic. And finally, management either doesn't see it, or fails to do anything about it because they behave in the same manner. The new owner has steadily raised his dues since he took over and most of the members haven't seen any real improvements on the "Vertex Experience", maybe he should use the money to get better staff. Ultimately the new climbing gym coming to town will be a breath of fresh air, and I'm sure lots of Vertex members will be making the move to the new climbing gym. read more

I recently got into climbing and my friend and I decided we would like to go to a class to work on our technique because our college doesn't offer classes. I went to a class with Steven called Movement and Technique and he is AMAZING! Such a positive man and seems to love helping people. He is patient and has a way of making you feel like you're doing great even when you aren't. I decided to go back because of how awesome Steven was. Here's where it gets tricky- I went back about 2 weeks later with my coworker in the morning to climb because we learned that we get into Vertex for free since we just got the job at our school's climbing wall. We walked in and the lady at the front desk acted like we were crazy for saying that. She then asked a lady named "V" and she confirmed. We asked for harnesses and shoes and V acted like we were incompetent for asking that. We then waited about 20 minutes for our belay test because V was changing the music instead of helping customers. Once she asked us to start belaying she rudely said "Is that how you learned to belay?" to my friend who hadn't even started yet. V then did an "accidental fall" where she yanked the rope as hard as she could and pulled me across the floor and jammed my knuckles into the counter. I now have a bruise. V is completely disrespectful and doesn't seem to care about anybody but herself. She acted like people who didn't have their own equipment were dumb and didn't seem like she wanted to help us. read more