Came up to the central coast to zip line and rock climb. Santa Barbara rock gym offers a belay and…read moretop rope climbing class several times a week. I took the Saturday afternoon offering. We spent 2 hours talking about climbing, learning and practicing tying knots, rigging safety gear and harnesses. Working on our belay and braking techniques, and ultimately putting it all together and rotating through top rope climbing, belaying, and observation of the other class members. At the 2 hour mark we had a firm grip, pun intended, on top rope belay and safety. Unfortunately we weren't able to take our belay test that day. The gym policy is that students need to come back a different day to test their skills and knowledge. If I was local I would have come back and taken my test. But I am confident that I have the practice and knowledge to test at my local rock climbing gym and get certified. And that was the ultimate purpose of my trip. I didn't tour the whole gym because I was focused on the class and learning the ropes, again pun intended, so I can't speak to everything. The front of the gym, the climbing walls, and men's restroom were all clean and tidy. The staff were helpful and friendly. The overall vibe was really positive. There were auto belay climbing areas as well as top rope and bouldering. The next time I am in the area I hope to spend more time at Santa Barbara rock gym to really explore the facilities and climbing walls. Also I had a little trouble finding the parking lot. It's behind the gym and accessed from a side street. The parking lot is shared with REI and several other businesses.

I don't live in this area but decided to stop by on my way home to Orange County. Nice little gym…read morelocated right off the 101 freeway. Parking is a bit small since it's shared with other businesses. Day passes are decently priced. Nothing crazy. Annabelle helped get me set up. She was super patient and sweet. I've climbed at Hangar 18 which is in the OC so I had an idea of what to expect here. Also a tip for future new climbers going to a new gym, try to fill out the waiver online before arriving. Cuts some time out. Pretty clean gym and not too busy for a Saturday early afternoon.

I LOVE THIS GYM! Rachel is the best because she is so cool and awesome and has the prettiest hair…read moreever. She's also so good at climbing and can do a really cool, strength intensive pose. Also everyone that works here is cool and awesome and great at climbing, shoutout Ventura

It was my kids first time climbing inside a climbing gym. Luckily we had a wonderful crew of…read moreparents who made the experience amazing. We were celebrating a birthday with a group of kids. The lady working the gym today was such a buzz kill. I am all about following the rules and being safe especially in a climbing environment. We were told two rules at the beginning. Harness and shoes must be worn in rope areas and the bouldering area is off limits to 5 and under and that was changing soon. Icing on the cake was the pretentious tone she gave my young son and I by stating that he wouldn't enjoy climbing as he is being put in a harness. Way to set him up for success by saying a negative comment before he even gets to try it. Remember boulderdash staff what you say around kids they absorb. Words have a huge impact. You might "teach" children in your classes but not all children are the same. I've never been to a climbing gym that a manager can go climb with friends and family for hours. She wasn't supervising who was coming in and out and what was happening throughout the gym. When said manager did decide to come around she was randomly yelling at our kids or us for not doing things she never told us about in the first place. One star for the power trip employee with a negative attitude. One star for the cleanliness of the facility. It could use a deep cleaning. Sanitizer stations would be good. The lady working chased and almost grabbed my child for accidentally walking in the restroom with her climbing shoes to wash her hands. Again I understand it's the rules and we followed the rules given. That was one moment a child forgot and a parent was standing up to stop the child from going in. The gym had plenty of beginner routes and top ropes. Boulder area could use improvements. The weight station is a joke. A few free weights and kettle bells crammed in a corner. We will stick with climbing outdoors. After all it is Southern California.

I have been going here for about 2 years. Love the atmosphere, the staff - everything.read more

Very cool center w a lot. Nice staff. They have a pass system for travelers but no way to pause or…read morejust do a hole punch card. That keeps me from returning. If I lived here I'd reconsider tho. The missing star is for travelors lol.

This place is easily one of the best university gyms I've been to! It's got everything you need -…read moregreat equipment, plenty of space, and a really motivating atmosphere. Plus, the recent renovations have made it 10x better. Props to whoever designed the setup - they really thought it through! There are actually two gym buildings, so you've got options depending on what you're looking to do. There's also a pool if you're into swimming, and if you need a run, there's a track nearby. They covered all the bases when putting this place together. One thing I really appreciate is that they let the students run the music - and they crank it. It definitely adds to the vibe, and it's nice to hear that the younger generation appreciates some good old '90s and 2000s music. I just hope no one complains one day and gets it shut down because that would totally kill the atmosphere. Most of the gym-goers here are polite and respectful, which makes working out a lot more enjoyable. It's also kind of fun to see all the gym rats checking themselves out in the mirror - definitely adds some character to the place! Like any gym, it definitely has its peak times when it gets pretty packed. But if you go during the quieter hours, it's an absolute oasis for gym rats. The students using this gym are seriously going to miss it when they move on to chain gyms - they don't know how good they have it! Whether you're lifting, doing cardio, swimming, or just trying to stay active, this gym has you covered. Just plan your visit right, and you'll love it!

I spent many nights with my roomie at the Rec Cen. At UCSB we abbreviate like every program,…read morebuilding, person, lol. My roommate would always workout in the hall adjacent to the massive windows. I'd chill more because I had Ballet daily. The pool is fun bc there are fitness classes in the water, joined in on a handful with my former boss. Guys, the gym membership is a mandatory portion of your tuition, so it's totes worth it to participate. Park off-campus, ride yr bike in orrrrr rollerblade. Makes life simple.

This was an easy short hike with some scrambling that was well tolerated by my 6 and 9 yo kids. Pay…read moreoff is a cool rock formation that looks like a lizards's open mouth (with what looks like an eye too!). You can climb to the top of the "roof of the mouth" as well as up to right under the mouth. There's not exact trail but if you keep scrambling past the initial rocky hill to the other side you will see the rock formation as your look back. Bonus is a nice view of the ocean.

I love this hike as it's great from beginner to moderate. The trails have a great balance of flat…read moreto steep and the views are well worth it. If you want to have a good bike ride this is also a great option. If you are a runner you can definitely have fun with this hike.

I went on a rock climbing trip there through the adventure program at UCSB. The view was incredible…read moreand the climb wasn't too difficult for a beginner! It was a very unique experience.

I discovered this place looking for a good outdoor climbing spot when i was attending UCSB…read more Parking - once you pass the south face of Gibraltar there is a small turn out you can park. Getting to the top is pretty simple, just climb up the rock behind the face. If you can find the way that leads up to the top just get back in your car and just go home you :P Get ready for a breath taking view, on a clear day you can see all of downtown Santa Barbara. Rock Climbing - Awesome outdoor rock climbing spot. *Climb with caution* Lat/Lon: 34.47694°N / 119.68005°W http://www.summitpost.org/gibraltar-rock/487232

Hot Take: La Cumbre Peak is home to the best sunset I've seen on the west coast…read more The 7 Falls Hike is enjoyable, but you really have to take in the splendor of Santa Barbara, in all its glory, on the top of the Peak. There are some picnic tables and benches up there as well, and it's (fortunately) not very crowded at the moment. If you can get up there an hour before sundown, you'll have yourself a heck of a time. One tip: there's no gas within like 20 miles of here, so make sure you tank up before you roll up this mountain!

Seven Falls is located along Mission Creek, the same creek that once provided water to the nearby…read moreSanta Barbara mission. If you visit from Dec to May you will see 7 little distinct waterfalls, all flowing into small pools, directly one after another. The waterfalls have been attracting visitors since the 1800s. The trail to reach the falls is about 3-miles out-and-back. Navigating the different trails can be a little tricky and involves multiple trails and unsigned forks so you may want to use AllTrails app as your guide. The first mile you'll walk along an uphill paved road with some really nice ocean views. After you pass a bridge and then a trail kiosk you'll take a left at the fork. After passing Mission Creek you'll take another left up a steep and rocky incline. Eventually you'll reach the point where you'll need to take a sharp right and head downhill to the canyon floor. You can use the assistance of a rope that's attached to a tree. Climbing up the first waterfall is pretty easy but the next 6 should only be attempted with caution. It's best to visit from Dec to May, preferably after a good rain. It's a popular destination so it's best to visit early on a weekday. Parking is limited.

What a fun way to spend some time on a rainy day! This place was perfect for fun, a bit of…read moreexercise, and the opportunity to learn a new skill. My friends and I had almost private session: sessions consist of five people for about 45 minutes. At first I thought this was two little time but after going up the wall several times I learned that 45 minutes was plenty. We worked with the shop to provide us a quick lesson and the belayer. He was awesome and totally supportive for us first timers! We appreciated his chill approach and support. We had so much fun, we will definitely be back for more fun and experiences!

I've been a Boulderdash member for over six years, but I have to say I'm pretty dissatisfied with…read morethem lately. They reset walls very infrequently - today there were climbs up from early October! Three months of the same climbs is crazy, and on top of that their rope upkeep is lacking. There are so many climbs where the belayer has to physically force the rope through the belay device because it's gotten so fat over time, both when the climber goes up and when letting them down. The monthly member rate keeps going up, but I'm not seeing where that money's going because of the poor upkeep. It's unfortunate there's no other climbing gyms in the area.

I've used this outfit thee times with student groups and they don't disappoint. Matthew, the owner,…read moreused to be a middle school teacher, and it shows in the positive, clear way he explains things and the can-do attitude he inspires in the kids. He brings everything you need and gets kids and adults alike to step into their adventure zone. We hiked off the San Ysidro trail and the setting and rocks are amazing.

We had a great day climbing with Matthew. He was incredibly informative and taught us a lot about…read moresetting lines and what type of gear to buy. His knowledge of the rock climbing routes was amazing. He was able to coach both my husband and me into climbing routes that we would never have been able to do without his knowledge of every hold on the rock face. We always felt safe and in control. Our day spent climbing with Matthew was the highlight of our trip.

Like every year I come here for Conference Woman To Woman and we stayed at the dorms; I usually pay…read moreextra to get my own room, which is part of a suite of three rooms I have to say it is very clean and very organized. There's a kitchenette in living room and the bathroom. The Campos offers breakfast lunch and dinner in a humongous lunchroom facility: they offer a variety of dishes that are out of this world and so diverse I really enjoy this yearly conference And the UCSB university campus

At the end of all the activities the leaders asked us to name one word to describe the experience,…read moreEXHILIRATING!!! Because I bruise so easily I definitely came home with a bunch of battle scars but they were worth it. If you're afraid of heights like I am then when you're at the top don't look down. Otherewise it was an awesome experience one to definitely cross of your list of things to do.