SLO-Op Climbing LLC Review

Been going there for years and love the environment

The Pad is the real deal. Staff and volunteers are friendly, the place is clean, and the walls are reset frequently enough to keep it fresh for members. Strong community feel and less elitist than other bigger gyms. What a gem.

How can you beat a place that is open 24/7 for members, has free shoe rentals, lets you play your own music, and has the most friendly and helpful members and staff ever? You can't, this place is amazing. There is something for everyone here, if you get tired of climbing you can work on the slack line, lift some weights, sit on the couch, or hang out and meet new people. I have yet to meet anyone here who isn't friendly and helpful. Ladies night on Tuesday nights & under 18 on Wednesday nights allow newcomers to climb for $5. If you're nervous about climbing for the first time don't be, there isn't a better place to learn than SLO-OP.

The dude who left the 1 star review below is lost, and seems disgruntled due to his inability to cancel his membership when he didn't use it. Is charter going to refund you if you don't watch your TV? Will the grocery store refund you if you don't eat your groceries before they expire? Nope. I've never seen a member get mad at another member for getting in the way on a route, it happens pretty commonly and is always handled with class. The fact of the matter is that 99.9% of the members are nice, easy going, respectable people, the 0.1% that aren't tend to get weeded out. It appears that Spencer got weeded out. Pretentious? Far from it. Douche bags? Gut check my man, this place tends to rid itself of tools, you are the case in point. Check out reviews on other sites, many reviews talk about the positive vibe of the gym and the good nature of the members.

Amazing community, top notch route setters, a must visit if you climb.

I really like how up front the gym is with the NO DOUCHEBAGS policy! The Pad has changed my life not only in terms of a physical nature but a mental one as well. I have learned to push myself harder than ever before. The coupling with yoga is absolutely genius! Yoga offers a practice of controlled breathing that, when engaged, gives the body the clarity and focus to move through crux of the route. Thank you for all that you offer!

Gym is nice, unfortunately it s hard to climb since there are unsupervised children running around with absolutely no grasp on climbing etiquette. The gym is already over capacity couple that with the herd of children jumping routes, make for very unproductive climbing. They would benefit greatly with and expansion with larger child section... and staff that enforce those boundaries. (This all applies to bouldering section) I do really like this gym unfortunately, due to these things climbs have been rather disappointing.

It's so great, I'm not sure where to start. My kids, wife, and I have been going for 7 months and love it (we have learned how to climb here!). The staff is friendly, and everyone is willing to help you learn if you need a tip or two on how to get going. Bouldering and top rope are both great, and my wife is excited to use the weights area as well. New routes and problems pretty much every week as well. Fairly priced, especially for new people who get to borrow shoes.

Special shout out to the community with regard to kids: I bring my 7 year old daughter and 5 year old son. I've was so worried that people would treat them like they are in the way, or get frustrated when every now and again they act like kids and forget who's turn it is, or to come down a wall quickly, or to not walk under someone (we try really hard to teach them right!). I will say, this community has been so supportive, and most of the time it's like my kids have a fan club - people step up to spot them, tell them how great they're doing, or just generally are patient with them. It's a wonderful atmosphere and my kids simply love it. Without this, we wouldn't come, but with this, it's our single favorite activity for free time. To the gym and the community: Thank You!!

Just a great place to have fun and get a fantastic workout at the same time.

Amazing gym! Horrible staff! I have been a very happy member who likes to climb about five times a week, and I recently found out from a fellow member that we could "borrow" a pad to take to the mountain. Long story short my cousin and I both "borrowed" a pad and the process was simple, the mind desk girl asked us how long we would need them, I responded about 5 day, I'm not certain. She says ok that's perfect and sends us on our way. Just over a week later I got a day off work and was able to get the pads to the gym before they close. When I brought them back the young man at the desk alerts me that there is a nearly 100$ late fee!!! The staff never told us that we could only borrow it for a set period! I then spoke with a manager and he proceeded to tell me I was rude and disrespectful for not paying the fee when they demanded it and instead wanted to speak with a manager to clarify that they need to tell people about late fees before demanding them. After I refused to accept a 100$ fee for a pad that I returned in perfect condition and was given no specific time frame for "borrowing"(more like renting) the manager who called me disrespectful told me I would no longer be welcome there! I don't know what kind of business these kids are running, but it's not one that's going to last like that.
Very disappointed, will no longer be sending people here to try it out...Great place, Great energy, AWFUL staff.

Lied?! Now you have called me disrespectful, rude, and now a liar?? Your staff never mentioned any sort of fee attached to "borrowing" a pad.. I didn't lie about going to get my wallet from my car. I didn't bring it in with me because I hadn't anticipated on paying for something I "borrowed", and genuinely went to my car to get it and when I got to my car I decided I would call the manager to discuss the rightfulness of charging people that they don't warn of fees after work(today) and at lunch(this is day after returning pads)i noticed a missed call, when i called back i was insulted by your manager, who then told me I should have just known that there is a five day limit with a fee of 50% the pads retail cost 3 days past due... Is there a sign by the counter? No. Did staff tell me the 5 days I wanted to borrow the pad was the max? No. Did staff put two pads under the same person even though two people took them and each asked to borrow one? Yes.

I'm done defending myself against your false accusations.

At least now we know why the staff are under trained.. Can't blame them now can I?

I live in san Diego and am an avid climber, it's my life. I have been to the pad 3 times now each time paying for a day pass and two of those the three times, within two three hours of climbing a staff member has approached me and asked for my name to make sure I was in fact checked in.. I haven't seen this happen to anyone else and feel deeply offended. "Slo" the happiest place on earth...still filled with discrimination and disrespect..disgusting

Great gym! Bouldering and ropes problems are amazing!

The staff is rude. Just a bunch of burnouts who sit at the front desk gossiping and laughing at people the whole time.

The showers are luke warm, generally out of body wash & shampoo, and it's hard water so you'll leave extremely itchy. (If you ask them to refill the dispensers they will. I guess in the meantime they're too busy sitting at the front desk stoned, playing on their mac books. Apparently that equates to work at this place.)

They will continue to charge you a full monthly rate when they are closed down for a pandemic.

They lock the yoga studios so you cant freestyle.

It smells like a dirty foot in there all the time.

Super fun, a lot of freedom. You can chose between ropes or not, a great place all together.

Great climbing, friendly community, reasonable pricing for membership or day passes

Amazing staff and gym! My friend and I came just to check out the gym and were really impressed. Shout outs to Kyle and Dan (Dan... ?) for the beta and the hospitality. :) Catch ya next time I'm back in Cali!

Sincerely, Brittany from Canada

A staff member was watching me climb and constantly made smirks and mumbled remarks. Even if they were positive comments I felt uncomfortable. One star staff.

Great 4arm workout I had a lot of fun hear. They show you around and explained the novice to expert number system.

It was cool at first. The owners talked about how nice everyone is and how helpful they are. First time I walk in to check out all the features some employee jumps off a problem next to me and yells at me and tells me to watch where I'm going and that it was my fault he didn't complete the problem. I moved to S.M. and didn't have time to go for a few months. They won't refund you for time you don't use. I won't be going back.

Friendly staff. Well priced. Lots of good routes. Just a great community to be a part of.

People are super friendly and the routs are graded fairly

Been here for over a decade. Clean, full-service, great staff. Continually renewing their equipment. Racquetball and Squash courts are kept in really nice shape

This gym seems to have been put on the back burner since there is a new one being made. Setting happens rarely. Problems are generally good though and the people are friendly. Just need more than one wall reset a month.

Literally great, there is shity parking for the gym but other than that it s great, nice staff, cool people, and free coffee and WiFi.

Great Community feel. Everyone there is really friendly and welcoming

Wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it...wow

The Pad and Kristin are incredible. They truly care about people and I've been personally blessed by them. Go here. They genuinely want you to thrive!

This place is Awesome! It has an incredibly friendly atmosphere. The routes are always great, and the staff is super helpful. Plus, 24/7 access for members.

Amazing place to train or learn how to climb. It's rad that you can go at any time as a member.

Trash policies and undertrained staff, will not be renewing membership.

scammed me $175 because i signed up for a month membership to try it out and I wasnt down with how small and crowded and no 24/7 like they advertise.. but the part that is messed up is where an employee rushed me while signing up cause others were behind and he signed me up for a reocuring membership thinking I only bought a 1 month membership and it been charging my account with out me knowing, So im thinking ok like many other profesional services this happens alot and they handle it well, After contacting The Pad Climbing gym they bassically told me to screw off.. A little salty here but writting this so youre careful what you sign up for as for this company is shady and also deletes bad reviews.. Avoid if possible very unprofessional and bummer as i look at climbers as cool people but aparently not this climbing gym, you are money to them not family.

Lots of wall space good workout equipment and soon to be 24 hours.

Great community, very supportive, plus it's rock climbing. Who doesn't like to rock climb??

Had a great time there today! Took my 14 year old nephew for his first time climbing and we'll definitely be back soon. Place had a ton of fun routes for beginners like us and the front staff made us feel welcomed and answered any and all questions we had. I forgot the guy's name but to the guy working the front desk on your birthday today you're awesome!

My son loves to climb at the pad, great facility, good vibe, and extremely helpful staff. This place really puts crux climbing gym to shame. Definitely recommend to anyone looking to have fun and climb.

Love the yoga classes, ropes section well thought out with routes for every skill level

Most of these reviews are from when the gym was a co-op. Since changing locations 6 months ago the gym has changed significantly.
It's still a good climbing gym... sometimes. There's great variety in the routes and the people are mostly friendly. Unfortunately I recently cancelled my membership for several reasons.

1) They falsely advertise that the gym is 24 hours and has showers, but neither are true. The gym doesn't open till 11am.

2) It gets so crowded that you can't get on the wall. Between the hours of 3 and 6 it turns into a Chuck-e-Cheese, with little kids running around underneath climbers.

3) New climbers are not given safety briefings, and the staff don't watch the door, so random people walk in all the time.

4) The vibe is competitive and generally lacking etiquette. I don't need unsolicited climbing advice from shirtless guys or to be leered at while stretching between routes.

5) One Sunday the staff roped off more than half the gym for route setting, then had a pizza party on the gym floor during business hours. No special event was planned for that day. A staff member asked a climber to get off the wall mid-route, and then extended the length of the roped off "party area". This should be done before or after business hours.

Back when it was a co-op, the community was more welcoming and responsible for safety of other climbers and the gym itself. Now it's just overcrowded and dangerous.

Also parking is a total nightmare.

Friendly staff, relaxed atmosphere. Good people having good fun.

We had a birthday party here for a bunch of 9 years olds and under. It was the smoothest most unstressful party event I ve ever had. The staff ( I honestly can t say enough good things ) they were great happy helpful WONDERFUL WITH THE KIDS and even helped hang the birthday banners!
Awesome spot we ll be back

Summer climbing camp for the kids was great. Coaches were friendly, responsible and very approachable

Great community, the staff and the climbers are always willing to help if you ask. I love the 24/7 also it is very nice when you need to clear your head.

Awesome spot to climb and have fun with other clombers

The new gym is absolutely amazing. So much more room for bouldering and the addition of top rope and lead climbing. They have 2 yoga studio as well as a weights area. This place can be packed in the evenings though. One person has to be belay certified to climb the top rope side.

Edited: Only one person has to be belay certified to climb the top ropes.

This place is awesome, it was raining during Thanksgiving, and this place was the best to keep training!

Great climbing gym for all levels! Also has a good offering of classes such as yoga and introduction to bouldering. Fun atmosphere and great way to meet new people, check them out!

My kids are the members and they love this place! New location is fantastic. Alexa at the front desk is so welcoming and has been very kind and helpful to me and my kiddos. Highly recommend!

Hmm, 3 single star reviews all within the same week and all about the staff in different disrespectful fashions; seems too coincidental to me. Ive been a proud member at this location since it opened and never had any problem with the staff or witnessed any disrespect towards anyone of any type of background. My opinion; since this is why we're all writing, reading, and describing our experiences; has been great. The only true 24 hour gym in the area, with instructors willing to teach, a weight room, free shoes to borrow, and a family friendly environment. Oh yeah and all at a decent value

From the perspective of a climber who is only visiting SLO it is incredibly disappointing to see that this gym is closed for the weekend plus Friday. I am always excited to visit gyms in other cities (duh, what climber doesn't like comparing the ratings to their home gym?) so the first thing I did when I arrived yesterday was look for a climbing gym. Though the other reviews are good and the pictures look nice the fact that it is closed three days out of the week to non-members does not give a good vibe and does not invite out of town climbers to come check out the gym.

Friendly staff, lots of facilities, open 24/7 to members, and awesome design!

Nice facility, great climbing walls and space inside and nice yoga classes that are at convenient times. Staff are nice as well and no issue with parking here.

SLO-OP is an amazing place to climb and has a great, friendly atmosphere.

The entire gym is bouldering only, you wont find any ropes here. The facility is clean, neat, and well organized. All the routes are well labeled and clear. They also provide shoes with your pass or membership, if you don't have your own. They have a small, but basic gym. You'll have a good amount of equipment, and the machines aren't usually too crowded. The emphasis is definitely on the bouldering here, and they reset a section of the routes at the gym once a month.

Everyone of all ages is welcome. There's almost always a few kids running around.

A day pass will run you about $12 or so. Then you have 24 hours of access to the gym.

If you're thinking about giving this place a try, then don't hesitate! Stop by! Check their hours on their site to make sure they're open for non members first though!

A friend of mine got me to try this place out. Absolutely incredible experience. I went back a few days later and bought a membership. From what i've seen so far the group of people who frequent the gym are extremely friendly and helpful. Definitely worth a try.

Stopped by The Pad to climb using a day pass. A bit on the pricier side, but we had a good time. Normally I spend most of my time bouldering, but here I used the top ropes predominately. There were a couple really fun routes. I did find the difficulty ratings questionable. The 5.9 rated routes we're pretty easy for me while the 5.10 rated routes were very difficult. From what I heard the routes aren't changed often, but can't say for sure. The bouldering area was bigger than I originally realized. Didn't spend much time there but found a few good routes. The pad was a bit firmer than I'm used to so falling wasn't as nice. They also have a nice kids area and a gym area.

I have 0 complaints about the buisness itself.It's a very fun place to climb with the kids. Friendly staff and great routes that change consistently.But that's if you can find parking to even go. To say finding parking "can be sometimes tough" is an understatement. And after the membership fee rise. Its unfortunately time to cancel. Thankfully they offer cancellation online...insteadve having to find parking to come in. If you are patient or don't mind circling the culdesac multiple times until someone leaves? You'll do fine. Because it really is a cool place and it's fun to climb. When your able to. Good luck!

Pretty cool place-- unfortunately not 24/7...yet! Nice variety of bouldering routes and a rather large area which allows a decent amount of space to climb even when busy.

Open 24/7 for members as well as yoga classes and a small weight room, this bouldering gym is perfect