Boulderdash San Fernando Valley — Attraction in Los Angeles

There are several things I like about this gym but the negative experiences outweigh all the good things about this gym.

This gym is not good at ensuring their holds are stable, that the bolts securing the climbing holds meet a torque specification, and that holds receive appropriate preventive maintenance.

One of their large holds rotated several inches on me while bouldering in their overhang. It was a huge movement and should never have happened at a professional climbing gym. Maybe on a rock wall in your backyard but not here. I never previously had anything like this happen to me, and I have been climbing at various types of gyms across the US for many years. Climbing has been a passion; I never injured myself in all my years of climbing outdoors or indoors until I went to Boulderdash SFV.

Sure, one 'signs their life away' in their liability release form, and, yes, climbing is inherently dangerous, but you still expect the gym to do due diligence to properly maintain their structures. Don't count on it here. Again, don't trust their structures. Most of them will probably be fine, but that one hold that they didn't maintain could cost you dearly. I received medical attention and physical therapy but my back and neck will never be the same again. Since then I started avoiding this gym. It's sad but I don't trust them.

Their Thousand Oaks location may be better maintained, but I've lost confidence in...

When I was living in the area, I used to be a regular at the Westlake Boulderdash location, when I was visiting friends back home, I was excited by the opportunity to climb at their new location in SFV, and I was not let down! I actually think I like it better than Westlake, and now I'm wishing I still lived in the area! The climbing space is plentiful, and I love that there are so many top rope options. The other location has an area with few, if any, top ropes which is intended as a lead climb area. This gym has top ropes alongside lead climbs, which gives so many more climbing options. I used to go climbing when the gym was super climbing and grew a little frustrated by having to wait for a rope to be freed up, but I don't imagine that being as big of an issue at this place. What most impressed me, however, was the free-standing tower in the middle that offers FOUR different crack climbs! I have never seen that anywhere, and I would come back just to give that a try. If you are into bouldering (I, personally, am not), the bouldering area is quite large as well. Definitely give...

This is my home gym and I love it. The staff is friendly and the climbers are friendly. The bouldering area is the largest of the boulderdash gyms but not huge. Definitely big enough to find a couple projects. And the walk through cave is great for overhangs.

No showers

This is a great gym to come to alone because you’ll end up projecting a climb with someone and making friends.

Note for first time climbers: If it’s your first time climbing do all the easiest climbs first and take breaks so you don’t burn out. After a couple sessions you should be able to find a lot of challenging boulder problems to keep you busy. But for your first time you could consider finding someone to belay you on top rope because you might run out of easy Boulder climbs. You can book an employee belayer for your group so you can climb safely with rope. You can also book a class to learn how to safely belay. I know it looks scary. But when done correctly, top rope climbing is very safe, even more safe than bouldering. If you are specifically looking for ridiculously easy bouldering, go to Verdigo...