First Pitch Climbing Co. | Guided rock climbing in Los Angeles

Who we are

Small-group climbing days for every age and ability

First Pitch Climbing Co. runs guided rock climbing in small groups at crags within about an hour of Los Angeles. Most days it's just your group. If your group is small, we may pair you with another small group, and we'll always let you know before your trip.

That means we can shape the day around you, whether you're a family trying outdoor climbing for the first time, a gym climber ready for real rock, or an experienced climber looking for a dependable partner and some coaching. Most trips are single-pitch top-rope climbing, and multi-pitch is available by request.

Trip highlights

Climb LA’s classic crags: sandstone, volcanic pockets and granite
Guided by Jack Nixon, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
All the gear you need, sized for every age, at no extra charge
Small groups at a 4:1 climber-to-guide ratio
Learn real technique or sharpen your skills while having a blast

See the climbing program View rates

The main sandstone formation at Stoney Point rising above green brush under a blue sky — Stoney Point Park, Chatsworth

Trips

Pick your day on the rock

Half and full days for every level. Prices are for your whole group, with up to 4 climbers per guide.

8:00am–12:00pm

Half Day (AM)

Cool morning shade and fresh skin. A great first trip for beginners and families.

Early summer start to beat the heat: 7:00am–11:00am

From $325 / group

1:00pm–5:00pm

Half Day (PM)

Sleep in and climb into the golden hour. Best October through April.

Earlier winter finish before dusk: 12:30pm–4:30pm

From $325 / group

8:00am–4:00pm

Full Day

More routes, more coaching and time for skills like leading, anchors or rappelling.

Early summer start to beat the heat: 7:00am–3:00pm

From $495 / group

By request

Multi-pitch

Tahquitz & Suicide Rock, Idyllwild. Classic granite up to 1,000 feet at a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio, April–November.

From $575

Ask about multi-pitch

Where we climb

Crags close to home

Our close-to-home crags are 40 to 75 minutes from downtown. We pick the best one for your group, the season and the forecast.

Guided year-round

Chatsworth · Top-rope

Stoney Point

The historic sandstone playground where LA climbers have learned the ropes for generations.

Rock: Sandstone
Grades: 5.4–5.12
Drive: 40 min

Still green water of the Rock Pool beneath pocketed volcanic cliffs at Malibu Creek

Guided year-round

Calabasas / Malibu Canyon · Top-rope, Sport

Malibu Creek State Park

Steep, pocketed volcanic walls above a creek-carved gorge. The classic LA crag.

Rock: Volcanic breccia
Grades: 5.5–5.14
Drive: 45 min

A rope, harness, helmet, shoes and quickdraws laid out on a wooden floor

Guided year-round

Santa Clarita · Top-rope, Sport, Multi-pitch

Texas Canyon

A high-desert maze of bolted corridors with one of the best concentrations of easy sport routes near LA.

Rock: Pocketed conglomerate
Grades: 5.2–5.13
Drive: 55 min

Granite hills above the shore of Lake Perris

Seasonal

Perris · Top-rope, Trad, Multi-pitch

Big Rock, Lake Perris

A huge, friendly granite slab above Lake Perris. The best beginner granite in the Inland Empire.

Rock: Granite slab
Grades: 5.5–5.12
Drive: 1 hr 15 min

See all crags, including summer and multi-pitch

Why “First Pitch”

One rope-length at a time

In climbing, a pitch is one rope-length of rock: the stretch between the ground and the first anchor. Every climb starts with the first pitch, whether it’s your first day on a rope or your five-hundredth. Our trips are single-pitch, so you get a whole day of first pitches on LA’s best rock.

Our story

How it works

From request to rope-up

01
Pick a date

Choose a trip, an open day and your group size. Sending a request takes a minute and costs nothing.
02
We confirm

Jack will reply within one business day with the crag, meeting spot and a 50% deposit invoice.
03
Climb

Meet at the trailhead. We bring the shoes, harnesses, helmets and ropes. You bring water and snacks.

Your guide

Meet Jack

We're a small, local outfit. When you book, you know exactly who's checking your knots.

Jack Nixon

Founder & Lead Guide

AMGA Single Pitch Instructor

First Pitch Climbing Co. Los Angeles, California

About Jack

Jack founded First Pitch Climbing Co. and guides every trip, from first days on a rope to coaching for climbers moving from the gym to real rock.

FAQ

Good to know

What does a guided day look like?

We meet at the trailhead, fit everyone with shoes, a harness and a helmet, and walk to the crag together. While your guide builds anchors, you'll learn the essentials: tying in with a figure-eight, how belaying and lowering work, and the commands climbers use to talk to each other. Then it's climbing time: a mix of routes picked to match your group, with coaching on footwork and movement along the way.

The day is planned around the people climbing, so tell us your goals. Some groups want to try as many routes as possible; others want to learn to belay each other or rappel. Just tell us.

What are the start times?

Half days run 8:00am–12:00pm or 1:00pm–5:00pm; full days run 8:00am–4:00pm. In the summer heat (May–September) mornings start an hour earlier, and winter afternoons wrap up by 4:30pm to beat the early sunset. The calendar shows the exact time for your date.

Need a different start? Mention it in your request and we'll do our best, though shifting a half day can shorten it if the guide has another trip that day.

Where do we meet?

It depends on the crag we pick together. Your confirmation email includes the exact trailhead, a map pin and parking notes. Most groups drive themselves and follow the guide's directions; please carpool where you can. Roadside parking at Stoney Point and Texas Canyon fills up fast on weekends.

What's included, and what should I bring?

Included: your certified guide, climbing shoes, harness, helmet, chalk, ropes and all technical gear, plus state park day-use parking for one carpool vehicle where a fee applies (e.g. Malibu Creek).

Bring: 2–3 liters of water per person (more for a full day), snacks or lunch, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a warm layer, and comfortable athletic clothes that you can stretch in (skip the jeans). Closed-toe shoes or sneakers for the walk in.

Is lunch provided?

No, so pack your own snacks and lunch. On full days we take a proper break at the crag. Malibu Creek and Stoney Point both have grocery stores and cafés within a few minutes' drive if you'd rather grab something on the way.