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Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Santa Ana California

4.8 ★★★★★ 33 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Santa Ana, California

Part of Gracie Barra

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi

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 (ages 10–15) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule gbsantaana.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (714) 452-1960

Hours

Monday 11 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 11 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday 11 AM–8 PM
Thursday 11 AM–8:30 PM
Friday 11 AM–8 PM
Saturday 9 AM–12 PM
Sunday 10 AM–12 PM

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 Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Santa Ana California, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 13 mentions

“My son trains here too and sharing the passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has made us closer then ever.”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“If you want your kids or nieces and nephews to learn self defense and tire them out while having fun definitely send them here.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 33 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Professor’s Ramses and Marcelo are great at teaching all students, kids to adults!”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 8 mentions

“It helps teach you discipline, integrity, family values, self defense, healthy lifestyle habits and It really is so much fun.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions
🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“Jiu jitsu at GBSA has been such a gift for our son. The confidence he’s gained shows up everywhere, not just on the mat but at school and in how he carries himself day to day.”

🎖️ legit lineage & affiliation 5 mentions

“We love Gracie Barra is has shown our son discipline,determination and dedication.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 10 mentions

“The confidence he’s gained shows up everywhere, not just on the mat but at school and in how he carries himself day to day.”

From the reviews

The coaches here really went above and beyond to help me be comfortable. There was no belittling or insecurity. They are genuinely there to help you learn and get better. I got freaked out in my first session because it was a choke hold.

★★★★★ — Ryan, Dec 2021

Honestly, this is the best BJJ gym that we have experienced for our 11 year old son. He's attended a few and they've all been great but this one by far exceeded all of our expectations. The professor, Ramses is very knowledgeable and dedicated to the kids here. He makes Jordan and every single kid feel like family.

★★★★★ — Maribel, Nov 2019

Gracie Barra Santa Ana has changed my life in so many ways. It helps teach you discipline, integrity, family values, self defense, healthy lifestyle habits and It really is so much fun. Professor Ramses puts his heart into the academy and constantly pushes us to do better. The people we train with become our family.

★★★★★ — Ishan, Nov 2019

My son has been coming here for about 2 1/2 years. He walks with such confidence and lives by the beat of his own drum. I'd like to think it has to do with the work he puts in on the mat. The staff is great! The parents are great! Its like having an extended family.

★★★★★ — Jessica, Sep 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 33 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Santa Ana California

Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Santa Ana California comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Santa Ana California

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 Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Santa Ana California

2201 N Tustin Ave, Santa Ana, CA92705

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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.