The Studio Climbing

The Studio Climbing in San Jose feels like home. Compared to Pacific Pipe, which has a more corporate, warehouse-style vibe, The Studio has a welcoming, community-driven atmosphere that makes you want to stay and hang out. The staff is always friendly, the setting is creative and consistently fresh, and the layout makes it easy to connect with other climbers. It may not be the biggest gym, but that’s part of its charm—it’s a place where you recognize faces, get solid climbs in, and actually feel like part of a climbing family. If you’re looking for a gym that balances strong routes, a chill vibe, and a tight-knit community, The Studio is the spot.

I went around 7-8pm on a Monday. Seems more like a social spot than a place to get a workout done. Sauna is co-ed, unlike the other touchstone gyms which are in separate locker rooms. Sauna was functional. Also, bring a swimsuit or your own towels because the tiny ones they provide don't wrap around a normal sized adult body and you have to pass the lobby/check in area to get from the locker room to the sauna. If you want a more peaceful experience I'd try to get there during school/work hours to avoid crowds.

Great place very quirky set up in an old theatre. Was my first time using a bouldering gym but definitely worth it. I had so much fun testing my strength and stamina on the walls. The locker room clean and tidy. The sauna had a funny smell when I was there so I’m guessing it wasn’t clean. Also no one uses it so I’m guessing that’s the reason.

This was my first time visiting this gym, and overall, I had a good time. My only issue was how people would sit down on the ground near the back bouldering wall, despite the fact that the space is very narrow and creating a hazard for anyone climbing a nearby route. This is not the gym's fault, it's more of a concern as I didn't want to accidentally land on someone whom decided to sit down right in the path of my descent. The routes were challenging, but a lot of fun. I just wish the bouldering space was bigger so people could spread out and not have to squeeze together.

I climbed in this gym for a year. I am moving abroad so for that reason I won't be climbing here anymore. Definitely recommend 100%. It is not the biggest gym ever (in the bouldering section, because the top roping one has a lot of space!), but the routes are very diverse and fun to try all the time. The staff is really amazing and the vibes of the place made me want to stay here as long as possible. They also have a small sauna room and a bunch of other amenities. Definitely worth a try if you are in the SJ area, I'm really gonna miss this gym!