Top 6 San Francisco Rock Climbs

San Francisco features some of the best rock climbing sites in the area. From ocean-side bouldering options to traditional climbs up sandstone sandstone nestled deep in the woods, San Fran makes for an awesome city to suit- up and start climbing!

1. Castle Rock State Park

Castle Rock features some of the best bouldering, sport, and trad routes in the area. With climbing terrain similar to that of the famous forest Fontainebleau in Paris, Castle Rock is sure to please all levels of rock climbers! Climbs are spread out throughout the park and  range from 10 to 120 feet high. This is definitely a must for anyone interested in rock climbing in San Francisco!

castle rock state park 6 best san francisco rock climbs

2. Mickey’s Beach

Located just one mile south of Stinson Beach, Mickey’s Beach offers a unique rock climbing setting that you will definitely want to take advantage of. With a variety of challenging and technical ocean-side climbs, it is best to come on more overcast days when the rocks will feel easier to grip. Make sure you check daily tide charts before you come! Tides must be at +3 or less for ocean-side climbs.

6 best san francisco rock climbs mickey's beach

3. Indian Rock

Indian Rock is among the most popular areas to go bouldering. Climbs offer great views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge and Mount Tam. There are over a dozen bouldering problems all with varying levels of difficulty for anyone to enjoy!

4. Mortar Rock

Just one block from Indian Rock, Mortar Rock is basically one big boulder that offers countless routes. This popular bouldering spot has been around for about 30 years and includes two favorite routes (Nat’s Traverse and Jungle Fever) that everyone who visits must try.

5. Mt. Saint Helena

With some of the best rock in the Bay Area, Mt. Saint Helena is located just six miles east of Tubbs Lane in Calistoga. The beautiful rock is actually remnants of an extinct volcano, which makes climbing Mt. Saint Helena such a cool experience. Climbers can also enjoy excellent views of the Pacific Ocean, Mt Diablo, Mt. Tamalpais and San Francisco at the top of several of the climbs.

6 best san francisco rock climbs mt. saint helena

6. Mt. Diablo

Mt. Diablo State Park offers a few climbing sites with tons of climbing routes across soft sandstone. Whether you choose to climb up  Boy Scout Rocks or Pine Canyon, there is something for everyone. Boy Scout Rock offers 80-90 feet of well-protected, highly trafficked classic routes with lots of rap anchors while Pine Canyon features more adventurous routes including two pitch climbs, some great crack systems, steep trails and plenty of brush. Both climbing spots are very different from one another which makes Mt. Diablo an interesting area to climb.

6 best san francisco rock climbs mount diablo

Alan Perlman
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