HomeCaliforniaPalo Cedro › Combat Base NorCal/ Mendes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Combat Base NorCal/ Mendes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

4.8 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Palo Cedro, California

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens

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

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • 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
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule reddingselfdefense.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 530-598-7122

Hours

Monday 9–10:30 am, 4–7 pm
Tuesday 4–7 pm
Wednesday 9–10:30 am, 4–7 pm
Thursday 4–7 pm
Friday 9–10:30 am, 5–7 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at Combat Base NorCal/ Mendes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“I happened to drop-in on a fundamentals class which covered basic fundamentals to include both the offensive and defensive perspective.”

All gyms that run fundamentals →

🧒 Kids BJJ 10 mentions

“The facility is clean and comfortable, the coaches and professors are phenomenal at teaching all levels of children.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Thank you for sharing your expertise in womens self defense, and also building myself confidence with my new hand gun.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“The facility is clean and comfortable, the coaches and professors are phenomenal at teaching all levels of children.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 21 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“They are down to earth, respectful to all levels of students and all around great instructors.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“The facility is clean and comfortable, the coaches and professors are phenomenal at teaching all levels of children.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 12 mentions

“The staff are kind and supportive and do an amazing job working with all the kids and helping them excel.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“I happened to drop-in on a fundamentals class which covered basic fundamentals to include both the offensive and defensive perspective.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 3 mentions

“While our boys are very different, they each get exactly what they need here- one getting his confidence boosted and the other is getting his shaken (in the best possible way).”

From the reviews

These guys have a verity of training with great ability to train anyone willing to learn. They are down to earth, respectful to all levels of students and all around great instructors. Definitely recommend taking their courses.

★★★★★ — Stacey, May 2018

We previously attended another jiu-jitsu school and were not pleased for various reasons. We are so glad we gave Combat Base Shasta a shot. They have exceeded our expectations in every way. We love the family friendly atmosphere.

★★★★★ — Jaclyn, May 2022

They have an exceptional BJJ program. My 2 sons felt welcome and comfortable. The staff are kind and supportive and do an amazing job working with all the kids and helping them excel. Also, this is the cleanest BJJ academy you will find! Highly recommend for kids and adults.

★★★★★ — Samantha, Oct 2025

My son just started this week and I am so thrilled with everything. He loves it and I’ve noticed he’s happier (already a happy kid but even more so) and he really enjoys it. A funny little story, his favorite activity was previously laser tag and he talked about it all the time.

★★★★★ — Kelsey, Jun 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 21 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Combat Base NorCal/ Mendes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Combat Base NorCal/ Mendes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Combat Base NorCal/ Mendes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

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.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Combat Base NorCal/ Mendes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

9481 Deschutes Rd Ste 5, Palo Cedro, CA96073

Get directions Instagram

More BJJ gyms near Palo Cedro

Northwest Martial Arts Center

4.9 ★★★★★ 27 reviews

2676 Gateway Dr, Anderson, CA

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersstrong kids program

8.2 miles away

Rice Brothers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 67 reviews

1436 Eureka Way, Redding, CA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

8.3 miles away

Rice Bros Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 9 reviews

1775 Airport Blvd, Red Bluff, CA

BJJ gym Kids & teens Private lessons expert, high-level coaching

28.1 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Palo Cedro, CA →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.