★ 5

Changing to a positive 5 star review. Rock on. We all have bad days.
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Just walked out. The lady at the front desk with their little LGBTQ sign on flower pot was so sourpuss and stiff like she doesn't want you to be there. Whilst filling out form asked 'Is there a backspace button?" She didn't even bother to move from her seat and in aloof manner said "It should". So friendly.

Most importantly they want you to fill out a waiver to absolve them of any responsibility, even DEATH, INCLUDING THEIR negligence. Your family cannot sue them in that cause.

Why?

What if you have faulty equipment?

Absolute shoddy business practice. I will not sign that waiver, nor would I recommend anyone, even if life depended on it.

You have been visited by Kikimora.

Source: Google

★ 5

Rockreation was such a fun discovery. The kids absolutely loved rock climbing here and I loved how it felt like a great activity connecting both the mind and the body. The pricing is very reasonable and they offer solid deals if you want to come regularly. Tyler deserves a special mention for being so warm, welcoming, and introducing us to so much during our visit.

They have it all—a full climbing gym, proper workout equipment, showers, climbing teams for kids, and even snacks available. Membership is surprisingly affordable and you see people from all walks of life coming together in this space, which adds to the great energy. A spot we’ll definitely be back to.

Source: Google

★ 5

My son loves the summer camp here, they have a week long camp, but your kid can also join for just one day, which is very convenient. Staff are friendly and welcoming, and the gym is actually much more spacious than it appears from outside!

Source: Google

★ 5

I have been climbing at Rockreation for almost a year now and it has been the best experience I’ve ever had. The staff a super friendly and helpful. The gym is clean and well organized. Overall I love it at Rockreation and I don’t want to climb at any other gym. :)

Source: Google

★ 5

Best Niche Gym in Orange County

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★ 5

this gym is awesome - the walls are great and it’s the closest to real rock features i’ve ever seen inside a gym. the staff was so awesome and welcoming and had no problem answering all of our questions and chatting with us. seriously this place rocks!!

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★ 5

Had my daughter’s 7th birthday party and it was a great experience! Kids enjoyed it!

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★ 5

Gets crowded sometimes, occasional competition pretty much takes over entire top rope and lead area. It has great staff though, lots of challenging areas to climb, sizable gym and classes like yoga.

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★ 1

My grandma bought me a 6-month membership, yet they continued to charge her for nearly a year without any justification. The manager was rude and dismissed our concerns, suggesting my grandma must have imagined the agreement. Another employee admitted we deserved a refund but couldn’t help due to a note on my account stating "no refund." This feels like outright theft, and it's clear they are willing to exploit the elderly. I’m done with this gym and urge others to beware of their shady practices.

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 3

Not impressed with this spot. Unclear markings, grading, bouldering routes aren't good. If it was cheaper might be worthwhile but there are far better spots for cheaper than this place.

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★ 5

Excellent facility, great instruction for us newbies. Love the autobelays and the different rock wall surfaces

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★ 5

Cool, place. Great wall texture and tons of wall configurations. Nice, helpful staff.

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★ 5

I've been going to this climbing gym for months and it's awesome. It's a small gym, but the staff are so nice and helpful. The atmosphere is very relaxed. It can get a bit loud inside the gym during the day, so I'd be prepared for that.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Great staff, awesome set up!

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★ 5

The best gym I've been to! Stopped off on a road trip for a quick session and a shower and ended up staying for 4 hours. It's the closest a gym has ever felt to being outside, full of edges, pockets, huecos, and other amazing features. Everyone (staff and patrons) were so friendly and I was able to find top rope partners easily. The showers were also nice and they let me fill up some gallons of water :) Will go again if I'm ever in the area.

Source: Google

★ 5

I was a member here for over a year until I moved away from the area. Rockreation is a great gym no matter your style or experience. The gym is not massive like Sender, but it still has plenty of lead, TR, and boulder walls to keep you busy and has a more low key and relaxed vibe compared to Sender. Also, the gym area is really awesome and they have a yoga studio as well. The staff is always friendly and welcoming and just really relaxed in general. I would recommend checking this place out if you are looking for a new gym or just want to try climbing in a different environment.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great place, great people, great service! I have to admit I came in complaining and being a difficult customer. They were very understanding and accommodating.
Besides, the place is full of awesome routes. Can't wait to continue discovering here

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★ 5

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★ 5

Staff is really knowledgeable and friendly. The other climbers are very supportive as well. The rates are the most reasonable in the area.

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★ 5

Helpful and attentive staff. Great clientele. Learned. Alot

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★ 5

Great gym and friendly staff. Would definitely recommend it to someone looking for Something that has more to offer than a regular gym. They have a workout area/yoga/climbing area and also a yoga studio. Will be coming back soon as the soreness gets a little better for the get visit lol

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

Muy enorme mucha seguridad . Y buena decicion para los que les encanta el ejercicio.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Alan and Jack(?) were so awesome! I called and asked if we could come in close to closing and they were super nice about it. Alan was very helpful with my sister who was trying bouldering for the first time. We will definitely stop by next time we’re in town!

Source: Google

★ 5

Great gym, worth the price for what they're offerring (1/3 boulder, 1/3 top rope, 1/3 lead, with gym equipment and showers). Very sandbagged and old school. Only downside is that I wish they kept the tag on the climb instead of making you download Kaya. NOTE: They only allow you to borrow ATC belay devices and if you're not certified then you will have to bring your own belay device. A lot of gyms around the area let you borrow Grigris, so you might not be as familiar with ATCs. Make sure to bring your own belay devices or get certified with ATCs.

Source: Google

★ 5

My husband and I were visiting California to binge on a pretty sinful food tour after hiding in our basement for the past two years. After a few days of basically guzzling oil, butter, and carbs, we needed to find a solution to digest to make room for two more days of food. That's why we came to Rockreation because 20 mins of climbing is practically 2 hrs of a regular gym.

The staff was nice and accommodating. They were professional and were super informative/nice in letting me know that there aren't auto belay systems at the gym. But no worries, they have a huge selection of routes for lead climbing, trad climbing, and an awesome cave (basically 7 sections within and outside of it) for bouldering. + 1 for a dedicated traversing wall. I find the routes creatively set and not just routes where you can power through with raw muscles. The fitness facility includes other regular gym equipment and hang boards. I do find it unique that the routes' difficulties aren't marked. It's pretty beneficial because it encourages people to try out routes they'd normally wouldn't try if it was ranked.

I love this gym - too bad I don't live locally here. :(

Source: Google

★ 5

Amazing! Came here for the first time today and had an amazing climb 😁, loved the offerings and the option of showering and being able to freshen up

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Our instructor Jaren was awesome

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★ 4

I had fun trying the different route settings compared to Sender. The TR walls are shorter but they are very creative and made me think about my footwork. The routes felt like a giant Boulder problem but this wasn't a bad thing and generally feel like they are graded tougher than sender. Just be aware that anchors are not double wrapped which means lowering should be done carefully. Also, bring your own Grigri or ATC or other preferred belay device. The traverse wall was worth the visit but the TR routes we're a lot of fun. Can't wait to visit again. Didn't get to boulder or try the lead routes so can't say much about those. Overall the facilities are great.

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

Super fun even for our first time! Josh was so great with both my kids and explained each step but also let them problem solve! We will be back

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

First time at an indoor climbing gym and it was amazing! Super nice staff member Maddie helped my belay for the first time

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★ 4

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★ 5

Friendly staff and fun atmosphere. The routes are fun and challenging and change frequently so there is always something new to look forward to!

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★ 5

Truly, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Rockreation and the community there! It is, hands down, the best indoor rock climbing gym/community in Orange County. I booked the Gravity Series (3 part series) back in March 2020 and was unable to use it until a few weeks ago. I was super nervous because I’m older and haven’t climbed in about 5 years, and didn’t know what to expect. I was able to get in for 1-1 sessions with Alan who is by far the most gentle, patient, and kindest instructor I’ve ever had. He challenged me and pushed me to reach my full potential in every class. He made every session fun and I learned so much in the short amount time we spent together. Everyone I have met or crossed paths with so far have been so friendly, helpful, and welcoming! I couldn’t have had a better experience. Thank you Alan, Mads, Kayla, Eric, and the rest of the team and community there! It really is something special.

Source: Google

★ 5

love it

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★ 5

Super friendly staff, clean everything, shower, restroom, floors, and gym. Chill and relaxed atmosphere. Fun place for rock climbing.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Had a really great experience here. Gym staff (Kai specifically) made me feel super welcome. If I lived in this area I would definitely get a membership at Rockreation.

Source: Google

★ 5

You could not find a nicer group of instructors. Have completed the Flight Gravity Series and several Climb Times.

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★ 5

We really love Rockreation. My daughter has done summer climbing camp two years in a row and she loves it. People are very nice and it's a different type of physical activity. Well run place. Highly recommend.

Source: Google

★ 5

My name is Caden and I went here while on vacation with my brothers and mom on 7/24, Christan was my two brothers climbing instructor, the courses here are quite challenging for beginners and intermediate climbers the prices are nice and they have tons of climbing courses go check it out

Source: Google

★ 5

This gym is a pleasant place to workout and climb. There's yoga available just about every day, and it's included in the membership. It's a small, community vibe gym. You definitely get the sense that the people who frequent Rockreation as well as the employees are a family. They have decent hours of operation to catch parents and working folks, and they're pretty kid friendly too. Its a good mix of kids and relatively hardcore gym climbers, which I think implies that people who join tend to stick around. The main fault is that its an old gym. There's really no getting around that. If you like that comfy lived in feel, with a real community, then I recommend Rockreation.

Source: Google

★ 4

Lead wall has an impressive arch. The autobelay system on many routes is a handy feature for those going solo. The crack climbing is featured, more representative of actual outdoor climbing.

Source: Google

★ 5

LOVE this gym. It’s smaller than Sender one, but the more important difference is this: at other places you walk in, pay, climb and leave. At Rockreation you walk in, have a convo with the front desk people, they walk you through everything, you meet people, you climb and others look out for your safety. If you’re struggling on a route you have a large group of people ready and willing to help (this includes gym goers and staff)! New climbers are welcome and encouraged instead of looked down upon or ignored.

Not only that, the routes are rated harder than at other gyms which pushes you to improve, there are a wide variety or routes, for beginners and for experts, and in my experience, by comparison our routes tend to be more creative and complex. They require brain power instead of just pure strength sometimes which is a nice challenge from the regular old right-left right-left!

Source: Google

★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

Awesome place, I would definitely want to go there again.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Staff is pretty relaxed but they take your safety very seriously. If you ever need help just let them know.

Source: Google

★ 2

I've travelled and climbed all over and this is easily the second worst gym I've ever been to in the country. It's small, has short walls, and just feels old and dingy. The routes are poorly set, and there were a ton of screaming children there for a kid's birthday party. They have an arbitrary "gym policy" of no gri-gris. They say gri-gris promote "inattentive belaying" but this is old-timey, backwards thinking. Studies have proven that you are much less likely to have an accident using a gri-gri versus a tube-styled belay device.

The reason I gave this place two stars instead of just one is because they recently remodeled their bathrooms and they're beautiful. If I had to rate just the bathroom it would be 5/5, I would definitely poop there again. Who would I suggest this gym for? Parents who are looking for something to do for their kid's birthday. They won't notice the difference that it's a terrible gym and they can just add to the yelling and screaming. Or maybe if you're new to climbing and don't have any friends you can go to use the auto-belay. Or if you need to use the bathroom. But besides that I'd stay away from here.

Source: Google

★ 5

Fun and friendly place!

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★ 5

so much fun

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★ 5

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★ 4

Variety of routes, dedicated lead climbing and bouldering areas, gym equipment and friendly staff.

Source: Google

★ 5

I took my granddaughters (5ys and 10ys) to Rockreation for the first time last week (March 2016). The front desk did ignore us as we walked in and I was a bit apprehensive...why would anyone ignore an old lady! (kidding!) However, after we signed up, paid for my granddaughter to climb, the same young man was extremely helpful and kind!! He gave me a refresher course...he was very patient and informative. Then he introduced us to the other young man working there that day, who outfitted my 5y old with shoes and harness. He was also extremely helpful and kind....and very patient with young children! We are looking forward to going back! This old lady might even try to climb again!

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

Seems like this is the spot to go to

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★ 4

Came here for free climb for their 20th Anniversary =)

Great layout; big spacy area to climb & boulder. The even have a workout gym area too =)

They even have 2 auto belay devices which is very cool to use. =)

They have 3 locations: LA, OC (Costa Mesa) & Salt Lake City.

2nd biggest OC climbing place after Sender One.

One-Day Adult Visitor Pass$16.00 One-Day Child Visitor Pass$11.00

Rental equipment is a separate charge depending on whether you are a member/ not.

There was a Groupon deal: Introduction to Rock-Climbing Package or a One-Month Climbing Membership which is expired right now but it might come back again so be on the look out for it because these deals sometimes come back again.

TIP: There's a $99, you earn all three Fight Gravity Classes (a combined 6 hours of training) as well as a FREE One Month Membership (includes FREE equipment rentals).

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 4

Really great place, I went while in a rock climbing club for my first time and loved it! People are really nice and happy to help. Everything is really clean and neat. Dusty behind the bouldering walls but that can't be helped. Its a little small though

Source: Google

★ 5

Look, I started out at this gym overweight, not athletic at all, and unaware of anything about climbing. After more than 4 months of having a membership there, I had lost 15 pounds, was constantly getting pushed to... push, and always had a friend there who could help my during my climb and give me Beta. And because of there great staff, I was convinced to join the Youth Climbing Team there. Now being at their gym for 7 months, I can easily climb V4's and overall improved greatly. People may say that this place is unfriendly, but I can promise you that it is not. -Christian Delgado, 14

Source: Google

★ 5

The setting of the climbs is versatile and fun: a little bit for everyone- cardio machines, weights, sport climbing, bouldering, top-roping. They even have auto-belays, so you do not even need a partner to climb- although I have found people in the gym who are willing to partner up once they get to know you. Staff is extremely friendly and every climber I met in the gym was very helpful. There is a sense of community and family in this gym that is refreshing. Very excited to become a member especially with the new renovations!!

Source: Google

★ 5

This is the best climbing place I've EVER been to.

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★ 4

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★ 5

Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Wide selection of climbing with a bouldering area, top rope area, and lead area to choose from.

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★ 5

Source: Google