Really, really nice climbing space. Lots of tall walls, a very wide variety of climbs for people of all levels. The bouldering area is small, but you're set if you like to top rope or lead. Whoever sets their routes does a great job -- the climbs are always very interesting, and they update them regularly. There's lot of overhang, straight-up-and-down and a small slabby section. Lots of fun corner climbs. There's also a decent number of exercise machines and a weightlifting area. Bathroom and locker room areas are nice and clean. Nice general vibe Staff is always friendly and helpful. Basically, everything you'd want in a climbing gym, except it's across town from me. read more

Day 57 of my side-by-side comparison of Movement (fka Planet Granite) vs Mission Cliffs (Touchstone Gym)... look. You're both getting five stars but got different reasons, but both have really made the best of their footprint to maximize their space. +Mission Cliffs (MC) change up their routes on a rotating basis and with much more frequency. They now also have partner climbs (5.11- on the left, 5.10+ on the right for two climbers and two belayers!) - while i love/hate the MC double overhang in the corner and the slightly higher number of true stemming routes, +Movement (Mvt) has some very unique and fun features like that monster stalactite, more aggressive "pretend you're Stallone in Cliffhanger) overhangs and way more in the way of slab practice routes (which are NOT my forte indoors) are various ratings from chicken sh-- to "i totally trust my toes" + not for most but crack climbing. I think Movement has easier practice routes for first timers and those who are angry at their palms being TOO supple, but def more variety at Mvmt, but the cracks in the cylinder at MC are truly a level up. - - both have very limited free weights space/benches compared to your normal "gym" gym and you might find yourselves adding a second membership or using your building or friends building gym between climbs. Both also have small footprints and get very busy even outside of peak times ++ amazing classes though at both + see the bulletin at Mvmt for when shoe resoling comes onsite. A+ perk to arrange that onsite. ++ both have tons of community get-togethers ranging from theme nights to run clubs to game nights (last two at Mvmt) though MC started a group puzzle activity (pictured) and love the MC memorial pins for their 30th anniversary (pictured too) + Both have study areas. Mvmt is more of a lounge, MC is a short scramble up from the bouldering. Slight edge to Mvmt but kinda cool that MC requires approach shoes ;-) + love love love the music at MC (Dan is the man), Mvmt is much more "eclectic" but some of the 6am EDM covers by Ava Max could be skipped (sorry). Did love that the next morning it was Bach concertos and Mozart sonatas and i think the same staff. Again "eclectic" +/- Check-minus MC for transit accessibility (not the worst walk from BART) but parking is rough; + Mvmt for parking (though paid by meter after 8am), otherwise great if you're running or cycling from Cow Hollow Both have deals for new sign ups so keep an eye on those. Summer discounts, January discounts/no initiation fee. + way more generous bring-a-friend options at Mvmt (unrestricted plus one each month on top of free days), come on MC! Don't give us bad wedding flashbacks! Everyone loves the option of a plus one (just make sure you take some photos without that person in the shot... just in case... aka HIMYM "who's that bi---???") ++ MC resets like crazy but in a very organized cycle giving you a few months tops to complete your projects; Mvmt ratings are slightly more accurate but MC is starting to migrate away (especially in the new bouldering (pictured) rating approach. Still MC is the Northstar of local climbing difficulty (suuuuure this is a black diamond/suuure this is a 12a) but come on, at this age, I need that ego boost!!!!! In the end, the best gym is probably the one you can get to the easiest and where your most reliable climbing buddy(ies) go(es). Both are gems and we're lucky to have them. And yes... now I've accepted that I'll just have a third gym membership and stopped doing one dinner out a month. read more

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Interesting building ..bigger than the other one ..old hangar ..fun ..climbing the fake rocks and landing ..exploring new building ..nice ..equipped state of the art ..mission soma ..near the 14 bus read more

Mission Cliffs - Gyms Near Me - San Francisco, California

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First off, I've been going to this gym since I was a kid. It's as awesome as then as now. Really tho, im writing this because they staff, specifically Dan, went above and beyond for me today. I almost got my bike stolen out front. They had cut through the lock and were getting ready to take off, and Dan stopped them. Huge risk there putting himself in potential danger for a relative stranger. Im beyond grateful, and can't recommend this gym and the greater network of gyms that is touchstone. Dogpatch, Pac Pipe, Ironwork, you name it, it's a great gym. Thanks again to Dan and the team!!! read more

I love Mission Cliffs as a boulderer! I can't speak for the ropes area because I don't use that section at all. But, the bouldering section always has a great mix of technical problems for all levels. I think because there is limited space, some of the routes are so much more creatively set than I've seen at other Touchstone gyms. The only pitfalls are that the bouldering section is really small and can get very busy. Sometimes people lack spatial awareness and you have to be very careful not to fall on them. Also, the weights/gym section is decently equipped and I frequent the hangboard area as well for some less crowded training sessions. read more

Mission Cliffs - Bouldering! - Gyms Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is pretty good overall, I generally like the setting. The only thing that is kind of weird, sometimes I feel like the staff can be kind of rude? At least when it comes to the belay test. Also, not sure if this is something about Touchstone gyms? I emailed them to see if I could get a lesson like it said to online, but I feel like they aren't incentivized to actually book them? They never got back to me. I'm thinking the staff are not compensated for teaching lessons, so they don't need to prioritize actually booking anyone. read more

My wallet was stolen, and Mission Cliffs couldn't care less! Their response was consistent with the dismissive attitudes of staff members mentioned by other reviewers. I love the Mission Cliffs community, but the attitude of the staff is really disappointing. On March 25, 2025, between 7:30 and 8:30 PM, my wallet was stolen from my backpack, which was placed on a bench between the bouldering section and the yoga room during my class. I later discovered that the camera in the bouldering section clearly covers the theft area--but the gym manager initially claimed "camera does not cover the bench". I sent photo evidence, marked the camera and bench in bright red, and emailed them. Later I was told the footage was reviewed and handed over to the police, my request to view the footage in person has been completely ignored. I've been trying to work with the gym to get access to this footage, but it's been nothing but delays and excuses. Here's a timeline of my requests: March 25th night - Original request. I was told I can't review the footage, I needed to file a police report first. March 26th morning - They Excused with "we're busy now, but we can review this afternoon." I requested being present for the footage review but got ignored. Later told that the footage was transferred to the police, with no further details. March 27th - I formally requested footage review once again and asked for info about the footage transfer. March 28th -- Police information is provided, incident time was identified, told I can review the coming two days but need to make appointment. March 29th - Follow up within the timeline given to confirm for review time, however I was provided a very short window , which conflicted with my schedule. My request for alternatives went unanswered. The lack of cooperation and constant delays in accessing critical evidence is both frustrating and concerning. The first response to my request to review the footage was a blatant "lie" about the camera not covering the theft area, which was easily disproven. It's clear that they couldn't care less about helping you resolve a theft on their premises. read more

Mission Cliffs - Gyms Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great route setting, but incredibly disappointing front desk staff. The person working the desk didn't seem to know how to rock climb, let alone administer a lead/sport climbing test. From what I could gather, he wasn't even trained to give a proper lead test--likely because he can't lead climb himself. For context: I've been climbing for 16 years and have worked as a professional route setter. A note to Touchstone: If safety is truly a priority, hire staff who actually climb, care, and are qualified to assess others. This was embarrassing. You might want to slow down the aggressive expansion and ensure at least two competent staff are working the gym floor. The staff member on duty when I visited (April 5th, 3 PM) clearly had no idea what he was doing. Super disappointing. I won't be returning to this gym anytime soon. If you're in the area go check out Movement or boulder at Dogpatch, but avoid this gym for sure. read more

My time in the community at Mission Cliffs and working for Touchstone was the single most destructive time in my life. Mission Cliffs and their "yogis" are deeply manipulative. They employ a tactic whereby the person they can't control is made to become preoccupied with energy and the flow. which they use to keep people in perpetual fear. dont go to a yoga class or fitness class if you don't know what im talking about. they will condition you to experience the same delusions they do. Honestly, The people working there are almost all terrible people pretending to be good people. From the front desk to the yogis to the coaches to the manager, it's a toxic work culture based on hierarchical degradation. I worked at a touchstone gym, I've seen what they do. They're predatory. read more

Love this place. Have been coming for years and now recently my daughter has too. Really great staff and worry free memberships. Recently had to put my membership on hold and was able to do it online without hassle. That says something. They make it easy because they know you'll be back. That's five stars just for that. read more

Mission Cliffs is a part of 15 Touchstone Climbing gyms in California. This location is massive and has a ton of different levels for rock climbing. I haven't tried bouldering here, but this gym has an unfortunately small corner for bouldering. I would say that Dogpatch Boulders is better suited for bouldering. There is a sizable gym with varied equipment, yoga studio, and restrooms that have a ton of lockers. This place has everything you need on the spot, so it's forgivable if you forget to have caffeine, bring chalk, or what have you (they have tiny bandaids up front too). I have gone indoor rock climbing couple times before, but now I want to get belay certified and practice climbing so that I can do it outdoors. I came in for an introduction to climbing class. You learn necessary safety practices and get a hands-on experience in belaying and climbing. I'd say that my instructor was professional and helpful. I can tell this location is inclusive and I felt supported as a beginner rock climber. There are different groups you can join if you look at the posters and bulletins around. Mission Cliffs. Overall, 10/10! read more

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TL;DR Great for lifting, top roping, and bouldering! About 60% of the space is top roping, 20% gym, 20% bouldering. And 100% fun!! Haha. The bouldering area at Mission Cliffs is smaller compared to Dogpatch, so if you are a bouldering only fan, head over to Dogpatch. The bouldering wall is also shorter than Dogpatch, so I feel like the routes are more technique heavy at Mission Cliffs. Bathroom / locker room is also so clean. There's also a sauna! Parking is limited, but if you circle around a couple times, you're likely to find something. Mission Cliffs is about a 15 minute walk from 16th street BART. A lot of great restaurants and cafes nearby for a coffee or meal afterwards. read more

One of my best friends friend took me to Mission Cliffs for my first time rock wall climbing experience. I had such a fun time and will be looking forward to going there again! My friend and I went to Mission Cliffs around 1:30pm on a Saturday afternoon. Rock climbing has become pretty trendy in the past few years, so it was no surprise to me that Mission Cliffs was super busy. Even though it was busy, we had no problem finding the space to climb the proper grade for me. I've never been to an indoor rock climbing gym to begin with, so I was super impressed by the overall facility as I had no expectations. Since Mission Cliffs spanned a whole block, essentially one whole side of the gym was the rock wall. The rock wall had areas either just for top rope climbing or lead climbing as well as areas that allowed for both. There was also a designated bouldering section at one end of the gym. I loved the small lounge area that you climb up to, where you could get a bird's eye view of the place. What I liked about Mission Cliffs was that it was a one stop shop for all around fitness. The main attraction there was, of course, the rock climbing, but Mission Cliffs has a section for weight training, a cycling room, a yoga studio, and several treadmills and cardio machines around the facility. Lastly, the check-in process was easy, and customer service was excellent. Everyone working the reception area greeted us, and Jordan, who sized my shoes and provided my harness, was the nicest guy ever. read more

Mission Cliffs - Gyms Near Me - San Francisco, California

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First time belaying. I had a lot of fun. The gym is big with plenty of routes. It also has lots of traditional gym equipment and I've heard they have yoga classes. Price was reasonable. It was about $30 for equipment and belaying. The only weird part is that they were pretty hands off. No safety video or any instruction from them once so ever. We did go with someone that's a regular climbing/belayer gym goer and she showed a couple of us how to belay and we had to do a "quiz" before we were handed the rest of the equipment. Nothing happened, mostly because we're not stupid. Just felt weird. read more

For my Birthday I requested to do Rock Climbing. Mission Cliffs is located in a local warehouse in the Mission. Upon entering tons of kids laughing, adults with serious faces, and majority of the patrons having fun. Positive atmosphere, great learning environment, and awesome instructors. Checking in without a hassle and signing waivers electronically. Our instructor (which I forgot her name) was the best!! We learned all about safety, tie a rope, and the necessities of our gear. After 45mins of Instructions, we were on our own. I give major props who come in and seize the day rope climbing. I have to admit a bit nervous due to the high walls and looking down. But in all we had the best time! Thank you again Mission Cliffs! read more

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Loved my time at Mission Cliffs. The bouldering here is super challenging, not difficult, but really challenging/technical. The staff was super nice and they have a lot of top rope/lead climbing. It's more of an old school climbing gym which I appreciate because the new style of gyms are starting to take over so it's nice to still see the old style around. The gym was nice and really spacious. Thanks Mission Cliffs! read more

THIS PLACE IS EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been to LA Boulder and The Stronghold Climbing Gym both in Los Angeles. This was my first time going to a climbing gym in San Francisco. I came here with my friend on Saturday + Sunday and we ended up staying for around 3-4 hours each day. They have everything your heart desires. We used the gym, we bouldered, we used the shower and the sauna. After a few hours, we left super exhausted but I felt like a newborn. This place is addicting if you love physical activities and like to push your body to the limit. It seems like they have classes for beginners very frequently. The staff is pretty nice too. I saw people all ages. A few very young kids, some older and most people in their 20s and 30s. Just be respectful to this community when you come here. Everyone is helpful and nice. It is very tempting to get a membership here since the gym has everything you need and they provide you with fresh towels which are nice for the sauna and showers. Would be nice to just cancel my PF gym membership and switch over to Mission Cliffs but the price, ugghhhh... I guess I'll just come here once in a while and use the Day pass :( Regardless, well deserved 5 stars. read more

I responded to four notes on their bulletin board at Mission Cliffs looking for a top rope partner. I also wrote my own note to stick on the board and got no responses either...most of those notes are very outdated. I never got any responses back from anyone. Someone added me to a Mission Cliffs Top Rope Whatsapp group...but the group is very quiet. Most of the time, no one responds to my messages when I'm looking for a top rope partner. I have gone to the front and had my name announced many times looking for a top rope partner...this method almost never works. If you are looking to expand your network/community Mission Cliffs is certainly the place NOT to go to look for community. Most of these climbers are extremely clique-ish and no willing to work with new people or new climbers. Very tech bro-ish... Mission Cliffs staff should actively encourage the members of MC to work with and add new climbers/people. That's the only way I can figure on how to find new climbing partners. read more

Staff was unknowledgeable about rock climbing and unhelpful. The grades are about the softest of any gym I've ever been to

Mission cliffs desk is absolutely useless. My friend left her rope and called in to put it aside. After leaving a note under her account, they still some how negligently put it in the lost and found for anyone to claim and it was stolen. The man in the front helping was extremely rude, put the blame on us, and was skeptical about us picking up a rope for our friend (demanded we call her on the spot and asked why she didnt pick it up herself). Disappointed in the rude staff and the fact that they knew this rope belonged to us yet negligently gave it away??? read more

Overall mission cliffs isn't too bad, it has a great weights room, top rope/lead area, small but fun bouldering area, and friendly staff. However it's just alright, the boulders themselves were reasonably soft grade-wise, but fun nonetheless, there's a good variety of wall angles, but they don't put enough effort into using them for setting. My biggest ick with the place was how few people wore deodorant, I don't know why it was this place that had so many non-deodorant wearers but it made the whole experience pretty miserable. It would be nice to see the gym get some training walls, even a small spray wall would make this place infinitely better, because of the limited space for bouldering and the packed sport climbing section, having an area to train off ropes would be perfect. Happy international climbing day! read more

The gym staff is so unfriendly here. I've been to lots of climbing gyms and love climbing. This is the least friendly gym I've been to by a long shot, which is a bummer because a climbing gym is a community and it's also the the place where beginners learn all about climbing--including the culture. Management has got to do something here. The front desk people gave me a really hard time when I asked for a permanent belay card verses a day card for no apparent reason. No one was kind at any point. When we said goodbye to the front desk woman, she didn't even look up. Otherwise, this gym is pretty awesome. read more

This gym is honestly really great, and provides a lot of really good climbs. The gym caters mostly to top roping, however the bouldering area (what I normally do), has some really good problems, some of which are technically challenging. If you're done with climbing and want to do a regular workout, there are some cardio machines throughout the facility, and a weights area as well. Best part of this gym is location and an abundant availability of street parking nearby. read more

Love this place! So many climbing choices, the walls are super tall, they change the routes often, and you can also get a workout in while you're there. Great for kids, too. read more

I'm not a member of Touchstone, though I do have a punchcard. Since I don't live in the area, it's always a treat to stop by Mission Cliffs for a climbing session when I'm in SF. Their routes tend to be greasy (do they ever wash the holds!?), but I like the fact that they have a large proportion of climbs that are leadable versus PG. Their remodel hugely increased the roped climbing area, and I especially love the Lead Only overhung Walltopia section where they get creative with the harder climbs. The locker room and bathroom facilities are a bit on the cramped side, but they have soap, shampoo, and towels, so no complaints! read more

Discrimination at Mission Cliffs. This morning I was made to feel like a criminal when I went to check out Mission Cliffs Gym for my office. This morning I was told I couldn't take my purse with me. Is that because I will be stealing gym equipment? The front desk clerk for the 2nd time said he couldn't show me around the gym. I was there a few weeks ago in business attire. This morning I came from my own gym in my gym clothes heading to work a block away where I manage a start-up. Last time, maybe it was too busy at 5:15p but this morning I thought I would have a better chance to view the space before I make the decision to pay for a gym for our employees. I am just baffled at the bullshit with some of these boutique businesses in the bay. Am I too black, are they just rude & don't five a fuck or am I too fat to come and work out? Jeeezzz! Ill take our business elsewhere. I never see any other black people here anyway. Maybe that's the sign I should have been looking for in the first place. read more

Nice staff, lots of top rope and lead routes, good boulder section, and pretty good free weight section

This is a really spacious rock climbing gym located in the Mission. This review is specifically for the bouldering area. It's a bit smaller than other bouldering gyms but gets the job done at least. The employees here are nice and the patrons are patient to wait their turn. I wish the shoe area where you stow your belongings was a little more organized and the bouldering area a little bigger. It can get messy when people don't have an orderly place for stowage. read more

I was only here temporarily and couldn't continue because of an injury, but I just wanted to thank the staff for being so accommodating and kind, especially Dan at Mission Cliffs and Holly in the Touchstone offices. I would like those who are a little shy about going back to a gym to know that, after much careful searching, I chose this gym for their pristine following of health protocols. They were SO good about ensuring that everyone was vaccinated, wearing a mask, safe and sound...and it was much appreciated. I appreciate the extra effort this company made to keep employees and gym members safe. I know it's no small thing to have to make so many changes during the pandemic but they were just terrific. If you are looking to get a little cardio but skittish about being in an indoor gym, I will suggest that you don't have to be a climber to come here...and in fact, since the vast majority (if not all?) the members are there to climb, you will have the elliptical, treadmill, etc. all to yourself at almost any hour in my experience. Big, high ceilings and an impressive culture of respectful folks there. Have at it! Thank you, Mission Cliffs. read more

I have been here twice as a beginner with some time in between visits (enough to forget), so I took the beginner class both times. It is offered a few times a day but check the website and reserve a spot online as it can get filled. It's usually no more than 5-8 people and currently costs $35 if you are not a member (1-day pass is $25 for non-member) and includes shoes and harness. The class is a solid 45 min-1 hour, and a thorough demo of safety and how to put on your equipment. You end with a climb up the little training wall. The space is pretty large but I also have not been to any other climbing gym so I have no point of comparison. It's crowded but the easier climbs have not been super crowded on our visits. There's also plenty of things to see and people to watch so you can spend several hours here. The facility is decently clean. If I lived closer, I might consider a membership. Street parking nearby but the area is getting more crowded as housing and commercial development increases in the area. read more

This Touchstone gym is by far my favorite of the Touchstone Family. We've been to Berkeley, Sacramento and Concord (our home gym), and Mission Cliffs offers a good variety of climbs (top rope and lead climb) as well as a good bouldering area. The gym area is nice and spacious, and offers a good variety of different machines. The popularity of this gym was evident by how busy this place was, although despite that, it was quite easy to jump in and get on the walls. The tall routes provide a challenge, no matter how experienced you are, and make it quite fun (although a little intimidating on your first run). The only negative to this gym is the lack of parking, but you might get lucky (like we did) and find some a couple blocks away! read more

My upper body strength is nil. Seriously. Nil. Back in elementary school when those President's Physical Fitness tests were all the rage in schools - I always failed miserably - when it came to the push-up and pull-up part. My body just wouldn't cooperate. And so those coveted President's Physical Fitness blue badges were perpetually out of reach. I always had to settle for red (which when you think about it - red is a much cooler color than blue anyways). Nowadays I've pretty much sworn off exercising - outside of walking and dancing (though I've found that messy rooms can conveniently double up as agility obstacle courses - and sharpie scribbling makes for prime arm work-out) So when I learned that we were having a small work offsite at Mission Cliffs Climbing & Fitness - I was both a little nervous and excited. Excited because climbing sounds fun. Looks fun. And because my arms could definitely benefit from some quality strength challenges. Nervous - because the idea of someone's life being in my hands - on some rope does not sound like fun. Nervous because like I said before - I have absolutely no upper body strength. Despite any initial reservations - Mission Cliffs surpassed my expectations. Mission Cliffs was not only impressive - facility wise - but their staff rocked it. From the moment we arrived - their staff were helpful, patient, and efficient. They let us leave our stuff in the party room - and didn't object when we hungrily devoured huge cupcakes before making our way to the ropes (sooooooooooo not a good idea) We were split into two groups. My group's instructor was amazing. She walked us through everything with extreme diligence. If we didn't understand something - she would smile and then take her time in really making sure that we were comfortable with a concept - before moving on. It was apparent from the moment she began talking - that she truly enjoyed climbing and seemed to genuinely enjoy teaching people about how to better appreciate it, as well as making sure that we were doing it as safely as possible. When it came to the actual climbing part - I - was...well not good. My climbing - form - pretty much mirrored the way I dance - butt out. But I had such a great experience with the process of learning how to climb - that I'd love to come back sometime and try to conquer the climbing wall again.... And maybe even try some yoga here.. The great thing about Mission Cliffs is that it is not only an exceptional climbing center, but it's also a fitness center. They offer yoga classes and even host some basic exercise equipment as well. My favorite take-away from Mission Cliffs, outside of that slightly sore feeling in the arms, is that despite the popular misconception that climbing is all about upper body strength - it isn't. It's about problem solving and keeping your body in balance to find the best angle and position possible - to allow you to work your way up a wall or incline as comfortably and confidently as possible... (at least that's what I took away from it...) Which means - there's hope for me :) read more

'bout time I update my review... So I love the laid back vibe and friendly staff. Steve and company took good care of me. I enjoyed bouldering a couple times a week for about 8 months and they changed up the routes just often enough to keep it interesting. The main reason I dropped my membership was that it went from crowded to a freaking zoo. The no commitment membership is a pretty good deal and it's attracted a lot of members. Facilities outside of the climbing walls are passable but not great, weight room is a tight fit and yeah let's just say the locker room doesn't smell like roses. Blessing and a curse. At peak hours the bouldering areas are as packed as a bar on Saturday night. It became more and more stressful to climb and so I decided to go back to my old gym. If you go on the weekend it's not bad, since everyone is outdoors instead. For a random day of fun I'd still recommend it, but as a daily gym I'd pass. read more

I never in a million years thought that I would enjoy rock climbing. What's to like? Climbing up a steep, treacherous wall with only tiny pegs standing in the way from me a sloppy floor plunge...needless to say with that attitude I wasn't exxaaaactly selling it to myself. That is until the BF suggested we go and then of course, I was more open minded. I'm really glad. It was SO much fun; hard as hell but SO much fun. My expectations were this: I walk up to the wall, I lift my foot on to the first peg and then collapse on the ground in to a Mr. Burns from the Simpsons-like heap. I guess I don't give myself enough credit, though, because I made it up to the top! Granted it took me a while and it wasn't a very big wall but still! Me! I can't wait to come back. read more

Mission Cliffs - Gyms Near Me - San Francisco, California

Recently got a Touchstone membership and am a big fan. Pros: *First and foremost, people here are actually really nice. You'll have the occasional douche here and there, but I'm serious. People are ridiculously nice. And it's awesome. *Convenient - bike parking galore, car parking is doable, and it's close to the 16th street BART station *HUGE remodeled top-rope area *Saunas and pretty clean locker rooms *Yoga classes, lots of cardio equipment *That guava-butter lotion, ahhhhh Now the cons... The bouldering area is small and as of today still under a lot of construction. The gym also closes pretty early on the weekends too (around 7pm). And the big con (that actually really doesn't bother me) would be the staff. Admittedly, some have been pretty cool, but I might have just been unlucky in the sense that I've met so many desk-people who could give a rat's ass about my experience here. But anyway, the positives, look at the positives. read more

This gym is very spacious for working out, top roping, lead climbing, spin, and yoga. It is not spacious for bouldering. Everyone stands around talking and you can't even fall because everyone stands underneath you. It's like they packed a bunch of sardines into one small little very little space. It does not have a nice atmosphere to climb comfortably. read more

I never thought much about rock climbing. Not that I thought it was stupid or anything like that, I guess I just had no interest in it. It wasn't until stepping into IronWorks for the first time (the one in Berkeley) that my eyes have finally opened. Initially I was more overwhelmed by the immensity of this place. Colorful rocks that filled wall after wall, boulder after boulder. Courses that seem endless and possibly high enough to reach the sky (i'm 5'4" okay?) I ended up just watching people climb that time. And I was truly amazed. Mission Cliffs is smaller compared to IronWorks. But it was still big! Finally it was my turn. Learning the basics like tying knots and safety rules wasn't bad. In fact, it was reassuring. Because I was terrified. lol. My first climb: first couple steps...not bad. Almost half way...struggling a bit. Then up a bit more. Oh man...hahaha. Even with the AC blasting, I was sweating like an infant peeing in his diaper. To make matters worse, I looked down at my anchor person for help. And of course, I'm afraid of heights. hahaha. I started losing grip because my palms were so sweaty. But I was so afraid to let go to get some chalk. All that was going through my head was "OMG OMG, I can't do this anymore!" Actually I think I eventually said that outloud. ahaha. So the outcome of my first climb: FAIL! =[ But I did manage to complete 2 climbs after that. YAY! It feels really rewarding to finish a climb. I understand why people do it now. And of course it's a really good workout. Climbing is definitely hardwork! My arms were sooooore! hahaha. The sport of rock climbing has earned my respect. And props to every climber out there! =] read more

After nearly two solid years with Berkeley Ironworks and what started out as a promising transition to Mission Cliffs when I moved to SF, I've finally decided to end my Touchtone membership for good. Ironworks was the gym we all needed but didn't deserve. MC - I've given you seven months but you've let me down with your overcrowded yoga classes, stinky bathrooms and lackluster routes and now I must bid you adieu. Let's hope PG delivers. read more

I will admit that certain ex-San Francisco expats in London hyped up Mission Cliffs to be a whole lot more impressive than it actually was, however as far as climbing gyms go, this one ticks all the boxes. Annie L and I arrived about fifteen minutes prior to opening on a Tuesday morning (read: stupid o'clock a.m.) and were pretty much the first two people in the door. The automated computerised sign-up process was painless and easy (for me... less so for her) and took no more than five minutes. Then it was off to the races! I will note that even at crazy early hours, Missions Cliffs is busy. From the moment the doors opened, there were hardcore gym-goers on the stationary bikes warming up, some far more proficient climbers than I on the walls, and it got progressively more hectic as the morning wore on. I could see this place being jam packed during normal hours or on the weekends, but there was a pleasant hum of activity during the early morning. Coming back to the bouldering, you'll not want for options or challenge. I struggled with a couple of V0s and V1s over by the bikes until we realised that there was a whole section of wall strewn with easier bouldering problems tucked away in a back corner upstairs. I did witness some more experienced climbers working on some awe-inspiring climbs around the corner, and I always love ogling -- errr... I mean... admiring... -- the grace and athleticism of hardcore enthusiasts. If I lived in SF, I could totally see making this a local morning routine, especially if I lived nearby. While it doesn't have the jaw-dropping qualities of size or aesthetic awe that London's Castle Climbing Centre does, Mission Cliffs is utterly respectable for what it is. read more

I learned to climb at Mission Cliffs, tried out Planet Granite and decided to stay with MC. It's so much more convenient and the staff is really nice. Also, if you're thinking about joining and are on the fence, the 10 pass is great. It's $160 and if you join after, they waive the $100 initiation fee. Rates: basically the same day pass and equipment rental as Planet Granite. Climbs: good range of easy and difficult. Bouldering: Over time I have been able to pick up some of the V0's but I will say bouldering in general is still very tough for me and there are some good problem sets at MC. read more