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Napa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 11 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Napa, California

BJJ gym Affiliated Beginners welcome

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
  • Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Website & schedule napavalleybrazilianjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (707) 363-0270

The classes they run

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

🔓 Open Mat

“Dropped in for open mat and was welcomed with open arms.”

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🌱 Beginners

“The instructor and students have all been very welcoming and there is a good mix of high level and beginner students to train with.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Napa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 11 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“The instructor and students have all been very welcoming and there is a good mix of high level and beginner students to train with.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 10 mentions

“The instructor and students have all been very welcoming and there is a good mix of high level and beginner students to train with.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“The instruction was top notch and the rolls were tough proving solid technique.”

From the reviews

I had the privilege of training at Napa BJJ with Professor Jesse and his students some time ago. As a visiting Jiu Jitsu black belt, the environment was welcoming and felt like is was my own academy back in Michigan. The instruction was top notch and the rolls were tough proving solid technique.

★★★★★ — Oldmanmagic, Aug 2019

A very solid gym all around very welcoming and friendly the instructors are great and some very high level intense rolls

★★★★★ — Evani, May 2017

I just dropped in from out of town. Coach Jesse was awesome and teaching some really cool techniques. Everyone at the gym was extremely friendly and welcoming. I'd 100% recommend coming to Napa BJJ if you're in the area. Thanks again for a great morning session!

★★★★★ — Dan, Sep 2018

I was traveling for work and dropped in for an evening class. Coaches were great and everybody was very welcoming. They were nice enough to lend me a gi and everybody I rolled with was super friendly and talented. Definitely will be back!

★★★★★ — W, Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 11 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Napa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Napa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 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 Napa 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 Napa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

818 Jackson St, Napa, CA94559

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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.