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Great Western Power Company
4.6 ★★★★★ 144 Google reviews · Climbing gym in Oakland, California
Housed in an old power building, this rock-climbing gym has many walls, including an old smokestack.
Plan your visit
- Day pass around $15 — check current rates; most gyms price gear rental separately and discount off-peak
- Gear rental available — the gym mentions rentals; shoes typically run ~$5–8 and a harness is often bundled with a ropes pass
- Waiver always required at climbing gyms — sign it online before you go to skip the front-desk line
- Belaying ropes gyms teach belaying or check your certification at the desk; bouldering and auto-belays need no partner and no belay test
- First timer? bouldering needs zero experience — rent shoes and walk in; staff will point you at the easiest problems
- Kids programs classes, camps, or youth teams mentioned — check the current schedule
- Yoga & fitness mentioned alongside the climbing — ask about the class schedule and what a pass includes
- Ages 0–12 — the gym's own stated range
- Memberships available — worth asking about if you'd climb more than a few times a month
- Today see hours ·
- Phone (510) 452-2022
- Website touchstoneclimbing.com
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–4 PM |
What's inside
“Recently started climbing and while I wish the bouldering section was larger, it’s a smaller building so it makes sense why it’s much more compact.”
“It was my first time top roping at Great Western Power Co, and for a smaller climbing gym (vs.”
“There is lead climbing but Touchstone makes everyone sign a log every time they lead which is different from Movement gym policy.”
“Touchstone gyms don't have autobelays, which I find to be highly limiting if you're alone or want to do a single route over and over many times.”
“Also has a kilter board\small climbing training area and a bunch of space for weightlifting, cardio, and classes.”
“Also has a kilter board\small climbing training area and a bunch of space for weightlifting, cardio, and classes.”
What climbers say again and again
“But great service well maintained nice weights and conditioning areas despite its small size.”
“There is also a fitness room where they offer several yoga and cardio classes.”
“Touchstone should also pay their staff and route setters more.”
“There are occasionally strong climbers who’ll spend 4 hours projecting a V10, and there are also plenty of new climbers trying the sport for their first time.”
“It’s a very supportive environment and the staff are friendly and helpful.”
From the reviews
Overall it's a good gym. It's small so the bouldering area is small but it's dense enough to have plenty of climbs for one session. The ropes area is big enough and is also dense. There is lead climbing but Touchstone makes everyone sign a log every time they lead which is different from Movement gym policy.
all the touchstone gyms are great, but this is my favorite. it's not the biggest or the newest or the fanciest, but it has a great community of climbers who really support each other. when i come here i feel like everyone is in it together to crush routes. i really like the setting, too.
My home gym is Ironworks and GWPC is much smaller being situated in downtown Oakland. I came here for the Crossfit intro class. The locker is tiny and not as clean as Ironworks. I liked the different floors for working out -- seemed very spacious and airy on the upper most floor.
I’ve been climbing here for a few years now. The staff here is amazing. This is a great gym if you’re visiting from out of town because it’s easily accessible via BART and bus. Plus, it’s an easy place to meet locals (like me) who’ll probably have good recommendations on things to do in the area.
Kids classes & camps at Great Western Power Company
Reviews and the gym's own info mention kids programs at Great Western Power Company — climbing classes, school-break camps, or a youth team where kids learn technique from coaches instead of just scrambling around. Program schedules and age groups change each season, so check the current lineup before you plan around one.
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