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Urban Adventure for The Straight and Lawful

Facing Up to It: Chris Walker practices his moves at Pacific Edge. Climbing gyms, caving clubs, skate parks and roller hockey rinks serve up tasty bits of adventure. Compiled by Wes Mondes When you want to work off some steam and get your pulse racing for a few hours, check out some of these area adventure spots. Climbing: Pacific Edge 104 Bronson St. #12, Santa Cruz, 454-9254. Fifty-foot-high walls, 13,000 square feet of climbing surface, 32 top rope routes, bouldering area, workout rooms, instruction. Planet Granite 2901 Mead Ave., Santa Clara, 727-2777. Natural stone contoured construction, 13,500 square feet of climbing surface, 75 top rope routes, extensive bouldering area, workout room, instruction. Twisters 2639 Terminal Blvd., Mountain View, 415/967-5581. Fifteen walls, natural rock tower, bouldering room, workout room for members, instruction. Underground: San Francisco Bay Chapter of the National Speleological Society For more information, write to Bay Area Grotto, P.O. Box 2284, Menlo Park, 94026 Freestyle Skating: Derby Skate Park Just off Swift Street near Natural Bridges School, Santa Cruz. A public skatepark. The Skate Station 1855 East Ave, Sand City, 646-5378. Extensive street court, ramps, spines, quarter pipes, quarterbowl and wall ride for in-line skaters, skateboarders and, on Wednesday nights, bikes. Palo Alto Skate Park Just off of Highway 101, part of Greer Park in Palo Alto. A public skatepark. Roller Hockey: Mike Fox Park On San Lorenzo Boulevard near corner of Riverside Avenue, Santa Cruz, 429-3663. One public outdoor tennis court is now available for hockey. The Rink 251 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, 438-2222. Skate & Splash 3635 Pearl Ave., San Jose, 267-7834. Gremic 401 E. Jackson St. Suite A, San Jose, 971-2200. Two large rinks, instruction. [ Metro | Metroactive Central | Archives ]