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Elevation: 310 ft
GPS: 35.3063, -120.678
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By: Anonymous on Dec 31, 2000
Admins: andy patterson, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Introduction Suggest change

San Luis Obispo, or "SLO" as the locals call it, is situated along the Central Coast of California, roughly halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The town is best known for its university, Cal Poly. SLO is also the home of the regionally famous (and very pink) Madonna Inn, as well as the turning off point for tourists visiting the Hearst Castle. The town itself has a population of around 45,000.

There are seven main "morros", or small peaks, that define the quaint and bucolic landscape around San Luis Obispo. Even John Muir, famed naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club, made note of them in his 1883 travel diary:

"The trail brings the traveler suddenly in sight of
Bishop Peak...
The town is fairly encircled with beautiful hills...
the one just named being most conspicuous."

Climbing Suggest change

  • Bishop Peak is the primary climbing area and offers several dozen (mostly) single-pitch routes as well as some of the best bouldering along the Central Coast.
  • Cabrillo Peak (Cerro Cabrillo) lies just south of Morro Bay and overlooks the scenic Morro Bay estuary. Cabrillo is a beginner-friendly area that's well-suited for toproping and larger groups.
  • Cerro Romualdo, which lies on some 500+ acres leased by the National Guard (Camp San Luis) affords excellent slab-to-steep face climbing.

As of January 2006, CERRO ROMUALDO IS ENTIRELY CLOSED TO CLIMBING. There are ongoing talks with the National Guard, and progress is being made. The hope is that a "win-win" solution can be achieved. For now, future access is uncertain. PLEASE RESPECT CLOSURES AS NOT TO JEOPARDIZE THE EFFORTS OF LOCAL CLIMBERS THAT ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO RESTORE ACCESS.

There is **NO PUBLIC ACCESS** to Hollister Peak or Chumash Peak, as these are entirely on private property.

Resources

Suggest change
  • The best climbing shop in town is Mountain Air Sports, located downtown at the corner of Marsh and Broad.
  • The Downtown Brewing Company has a good variety of locally-brewed beer as well as good eats.
  • The Firestone Grill downtown is the place to go for tri-tip, burgers, and fries. The steak cobb salad is highly recommended.
  • Farmer's Market happens every Thursday downtown.

334 Total Climbs

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Location: San Luis Obispo Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at San Luis Obispo

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V3 6A
 78
Mushy
Boulder
V4 6B
 29
Peanuts
Boulder
V5 6C
 19
Pete's Problem
Boulder
V5 6C
 43
Mushy SDS
Boulder
V6 7A
 26
Slot
Boulder
V8 7B
 8
Slot SDS
Boulder
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R
 75
Shadow
Sport, TR
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c
 122
P-Crack
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 61
Epidural
Trad, Sport, TR
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 21
Senior Moment
Trad
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 137
Camel
Sport, TR
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 94
Only Way To Fly
Sport, TR
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 71
Llama
Trad, TR
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 58
Western Airlines
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a R
 5
Mickey B Way
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Mushy Bishop Peak > Bishop Peak Bo… > Chlorissa
 78
V3 6A Boulder
Peanuts Bishop Peak > Bishop Peak Bo… > Boulder In The Woods
 29
V4 6B Boulder
Pete's Problem Bishop Peak > Bishop Peak Bo… > Pete
 19
V5 6C Boulder
Mushy SDS Bishop Peak > Bishop Peak Bo… > Chlorissa
 43
V5 6C Boulder
Slot Bishop Peak > Bishop Peak Bo… > Hummingbird Boulders
 26
V6 7A Boulder
Slot SDS Bishop Peak > Bishop Peak Bo… > Hummingbird Boulders
 8
V8 7B Boulder
Shadow Bishop Peak > Shadow Rock
 75
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c R Sport, TR
P-Crack Bishop Peak > P-Wall
 122
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c Trad
Epidural Bishop Peak > P-Wall
 61
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad, Sport, TR
Senior Moment Bishop Peak > P-Wall
 21
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Camel Bishop Peak > Cracked Wall
 137
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport, TR
Only Way To Fly Bishop Peak > Cracked Wall
 94
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport, TR
Llama Bishop Peak > Cracked Wall
 71
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad, TR
Western Airlines Bishop Peak > Cracked Wall
 58
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Mickey B Way Bishop Peak > True Summit Block
 5
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a R Trad
More Classic Climbs in San Luis Obispo »

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