Greetings!
I recently moved into SF- Bay Area.

I wanted to know of any good outdoor shops to buy climbing gear? I am not looking for REI - REI used to be good; now they have turned themselves into a speciality clothing store. Are there any small boutique kind of store that specializes on climbing/hiking gear?

Regards,
John

Marmot Mountaineering in Berkeley. It's across the street from the Ashby Bart Station. They're also the only local climbing shoe resolers (at least that I know of) in the Bay Area. The REI in Berkeley also has a much better selection of climbing/mountaineering gear than any other REIs in the Bay Area. For basic rock climbing gear Planet Granite (SF, Belmont, Sunnyvale) has a decent selection.

Yes, go to Marmot . . . they have it all, not to mention a staff that actually knows what they're talking about . . . it's the local porn store of mountaineering gear.

Redwood Trading Post in Redwood City has a good selection of hiking stuff. I do not believe they have climbing gear, but that may have changed since the last time I really looked around there 5 or so years back.

Sunrise Mountain Sports in Livermore. It's on the way to the valley, where you'll be going anyways....

In the category of "shops on the way to where you are going," Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City, WIlson's in Bishop, and Mammoth Mountaineering in Mammoth all have good selections and generally knowledgeable staff. And of course there's always the Yosemite Mountain Shop in Curry Village.

......and Mammoth Mountaineering in Bishop. Great consignment deals! And if you find yourself in Lone Pine....Elevations....but now we're really getting away from the Bay Area....

So let's add - Nomad Ventures in Joshua Tree, Idyllwild, Temecula and Escondido. YIPPEE!!

Well, in that case, we might as well add Miguel's Pizza & Climbing Shop if you happen to be a little farther away.

Marmot closed last Sunday, for good. RIP Marmot Mountain Works.
Sunrise Mountain Sports is the only 'true' mountain shop left in the BA. Anyone want to open one?

Rest in Peace. As a child, that place was fused with Camp 4 in my mind as what climbing was all about