They climb because pursuit of the sport itself draws them out for a walk through the redwoods to find routes. Looking for climbing is a great excuse to simply explore more. I, for one, am having fun and learning northern California like the back of my hand. Even though it might look like they're trying to kill themselves, most climbers are cautious by nature. They have to be.
Mistakes mean more than losing the game.
I had a climbing mentor who taught me the ropes, and I still believe this is the best avenue to learn climbing. If you have questions about what climbers are up to, ask them. Just remember, there are no stupid questions. If you want to give climbing a try, start small and close to the ground. Build skills on the boulders before applying your confidence to higher cliffs.