Driving along Hawthorne Boulevard, you could easily pass this place without realizing what is inside.

Class 5 is a large indoor climbing facility that opened in Torrance in 2024 and offers 26,000 square feet of climbing terrain.

And this isn't just a small wall in the corner of a conventional gym.

Class 5 includes approximately 17,000 square feet of rope climbing, 9,000 square feet of bouldering terrain and a 40-foot-high lead wall. There's even a 10-meter speed wall for climbers interested in the competitive speed discipline.

Beginners don't need previous climbing experience to give it a try.

The gym offers introductory climbing opportunities, classes and youth programs, while experienced climbers can use more technical routes, training equipment and extensive fitness facilities.

There's also more here than climbing. Class 5 offers strength and cardio equipment, yoga and fitness classes, locker rooms, showers and saunas.

Day passes are available, so residents don't need to commit to a membership just to see whether climbing is for them.

It's exactly what makes a good Hidden Gem: an unexpectedly large experience tucked inside a part of Torrance most of us drive past every day.

Where: 20120 Hawthorne Blvd.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

Article Link: Explore Class 5