Outdoor vs. Indoor climbing
Outdoor climbing in San Diego
San Diego is home to some truly great places to climb at outdoors when the weather is suitable for it. San Diego is located in a desert region that can reach temps as high as 90+ degrees or as low as 40 degrees on average depending on the time of year so it’s important to double check the weather whenever you plan to take a trip outdoors.
The most common type of rock in the area is granite, which happens to be fantastic to climb on under the right conditions. It’s one of the hardest rock substances, made up of quartz, mica, and feldspar so you know it’s sturdy when you start climbing on it. Some pros to climbing on granite comes from the crystalline structure of the rock itself. This grips to your skin in dry weather and helps keep you on the wall. Generally climbing on granite in the sun is going to be significantly more difficult than climbing in the shade but this applies to most kinds of rock.
San Diego Climbing Locations
California has some of the most incredible places to climb in the country and while most of them are in the more northern region of the state, San Diego is home to some pretty solid spots as well.
Mt. Woodson is going to be at the top of the list if you’re looking for a nice bouldering area that’s just outside the city. The only downside to this location is the approach to the boulders themselves can be tedious to get too but the climbs themselves more than make up for it.
Santee boulders is another great spot for some bouldering and is just south of Woodson if you wanted a slightly shorter drive. The location itself is small but packs some classic San Diego climbs. The grading at this spot is stiffer than other locations as well so be prepared before jumping on something too difficult.
Indoor climbing in San Diego
The best way to beat the heat of the desert climate is to check out all the local San Diego gyms! Each one has a particular style that is worth exploring and we all help the community out in our own individual ways so that everyone has a space that’s right for them.
Each gym in the region has specific areas they focus on, some are strictly for bouldering, while others provide a nice balance between bouldering and sport climbing. Flux Training Center is a space that blends the climbing gyms and training areas together in a way that feels more traditional to the way our family learned to climb.