Home › California › San Diego › Clark Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy
Clark Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · BJJ gym in San Diego, California
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule clarkgracie.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (619) 220-4810
Hours
| Monday | 6–8 AM, 11 AM–1 PM, 4–7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 6–8 AM, 10 AM–1 PM, 4–7:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–1 PM, 4–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6–8 AM, 11 AM–1 PM, 4–7:30 PM |
| Friday | 6–8 AM, 11 AM–1 PM, 4–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM–12 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“The fundamentals classes are a huge highlight; the focus on collaborative learning and drilling with a variety of partners has been a game-changer for my jiu-jitsu.”
“Professor Clark teaches most of the adult classes when he's in town, Professor Alé teaches the youth programs and Lucas teaches whenever either are out of town.”
“They also offer an evolving no-gi program that brings in new techniques and strategies based on what’s happening in the sport right now.”
“They also offer an evolving no-gi program that brings in new techniques and strategies based on what’s happening in the sport right now.”
“Whether you’re a beginner just starting your journey or an experienced competitor preparing for tournaments, this is the place to be.”
“Visiting from @Gracie Allegiance Texas and stopped in for a a Saturday open mat.”
“Self-defense training here is top-notch, both for beginners and at an advanced level.”
“Professor Clark Gracie and the instructors lead with both expertise and humility, making every class a valuable learning experience for students of all levels.”
What members say
“I’m beyond blessed to have Professor Clark Gracie as my instructor and friend. The academy is amazing and everyone treats you like family so it is home away from home!”
“The instructors are phenomenal, creating a positive and welcoming environment where everyone helps each other grow.”
“Clark's active involvement in teaching and competing makes the academy unique, as he's one of the few Gracie family members directly sharing his expertise in San Diego.”
“The fundamentals classes are a huge highlight; the focus on collaborative learning and drilling with a variety of partners has been a game-changer for my jiu-jitsu.”
“I have seen a great change in both my kids since they have started. More confidence.”
“Whether you’re a beginner just starting your journey or an experienced competitor preparing for tournaments, this is the place to be.”
From the reviews
I’ve been training at this academy for 3 months now. I’m a blue belt and had trained for 4 years at another academy. Professor Clark and all the students welcomed me warmly, and right away I felt the brotherhood of the academy. Excellent facilities, excellent professors, and a level far above what I was used to.
As someone with 10 years of experience with Clark Gracie as both a student and an instructor, I can say that the Clark Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in San Diego stands out as an exceptional training facility.
I was visiting SD for work and learned of this academy. I was a bit overwhelmed as a newer white belt thinking it might be an intimidating experience to do a session with who all the online sites were identifying as a giant of BJJ and world champion.
This is hands down the best place to train in San Diego. It offers high-level, competition-oriented jiu-jitsu taught by some of the best instructors you could ever ask for. The instruction is truly world-class, combining technical wizardry with practical application.
New to BJJ? Start at Clark Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy
Clark Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Clark Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
More BJJ gyms near San Diego
Tama Jiu-Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 140 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
THE ARENA | The Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, MMA & Muay Thai Gym in San Diego
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,368 reviews
Sagrado Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 19 reviews