HomeCaliforniaSpring Valley › San Diego Combat Academy | East County San Diego Jiu Jitsu - Boxing - Kickboxing

San Diego Combat Academy | East County San Diego Jiu Jitsu - Boxing - Kickboxing

4.6 ★★★★★ 62 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Spring Valley, California

BJJ gym Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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
  • 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule sdcombatacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (619) 303-0402

Hours

Monday 6 AM–12 PM, 4–8 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–12 PM, 4–8 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–12 PM, 4–8 PM
Thursday 6 AM–12 PM, 4–8 PM
Friday 6 AM–12 PM, 4–8 PM
Saturday 8 AM–12 PM
Sunday 9:30 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 San Diego Combat Academy | East County San Diego Jiu Jitsu - Boxing - Kickboxing, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 3 mentions

“Whether you are a competitive fighter for the team, a fellow gym-mate, or a family member dropping off the kids to practice, we are all family!”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

👤 Private Lessons

“If they notice you are having trouble grasping the techniques or moves, they willingly pull you to the side and help you out 1 on 1.”

All gyms that run private lessons →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“He also gives workshops for women’s self-defense now and then, which are fantastic for building self-confidence and learning to defend yourself.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 3 mentions

“For the first time in my life, I feel like I am in the right place and the right time, with nothing but family.”

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 San Diego Combat Academy | East County San Diego Jiu Jitsu - Boxing - Kickboxing — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA 5 mentions

“The gym is one of a kind because they teach you everything for example jiu jitsu, kickboxing, MMA, Boxing, Wrestling, strength and conditioning, They have the best schedule.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“The gym is one of a kind because they teach you everything for example jiu jitsu, kickboxing, MMA, Boxing, Wrestling, strength and conditioning, They have the best schedule.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🦵 Kickboxing 3 mentions

“The gym is one of a kind because they teach you everything for example jiu jitsu, kickboxing, MMA, Boxing, Wrestling, strength and conditioning, They have the best schedule.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🤸 Wrestling

“The gym is one of a kind because they teach you everything for example jiu jitsu, kickboxing, MMA, Boxing, Wrestling, strength and conditioning, They have the best schedule.”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

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 62 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“For the first time in my life, I feel like I am in the right place and the right time, with nothing but family.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 17 mentions

“Highly recommend this gym weather you’re a professional martial artist or if you’re just looking for a great new hobby for you and your family”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“If they notice you are having trouble grasping the techniques or moves, they willingly pull you to the side and help you out 1 on 1.”

great workout & conditioning 10 mentions

“The gym is one of a kind because they teach you everything for example jiu jitsu, kickboxing, MMA, Boxing, Wrestling, strength and conditioning, They have the best schedule.”

💗 welcoming to women 3 mentions

“He also gives workshops for women’s self-defense now and then, which are fantastic for building self-confidence and learning to defend yourself.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 6 mentions

“I have lost up to 27 pounds, gained a lot of confidence, and my asthma has improved significantly!”

From the reviews

I have been training here for the past 2 years in their 10th Planet system of Jiu Jitsu. I have lost up to 27 pounds, gained a lot of confidence, and my asthma has improved significantly!! I've also made some of the best friends a person can ask for here, it really is a family vibe.

★★★★★ — Carlos, Dec 2015

Been training BJJ under coach Andy for 6 months at this location. Generally always a good amount of mat space, and decent amount of weights/conditioning equipment. Everyone seems to have a great attitude and willingness to help each other progress. Only thing missing here is a water fountain to refill your bottle.

★★★★★ — Kevin, Jul 2021

Came to San Diego in vacation, I wasn’t expecting to train while here. SDCA had the perfect schedule to get a in a session. When I first arrived I met Tiger he was welcoming, and put all my anxiety at ease. He showed me around and let me tell you, this is a top notch club full of great people.

★★★★★ — Justin, Jun 2024

This is the place!! The team here is incredible and dedicated to everyone’s growth. I’m being motivated by watching elite athletes continually climb in their abilities. I also have been entirely welcomed as a beginner. I came in with no fighting experience and was well out of shape starting my membership.

★★★★★ — Patrick, Mar 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 62 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at San Diego Combat Academy | East County San Diego Jiu Jitsu - Boxing - Kickboxing

San Diego Combat Academy | East County San Diego Jiu Jitsu - Boxing - Kickboxing 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at San Diego Combat Academy | East County San Diego Jiu Jitsu - Boxing - Kickboxing

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 San Diego Combat Academy | East County San Diego Jiu Jitsu - Boxing - Kickboxing

2705 Via Orange Way, Spring Valley, CA91978

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More BJJ gyms near Spring Valley

Adayama Jiu-Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 42 reviews

2656-104 Jamacha Rd, El Cajon, CA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 2–4

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

2.1 miles away

East County Jiu-Jitsu Academy

5 ★★★★★ 5 reviews

1265 Avocado Ave #101, El Cajon, CA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Affiliated no-ego, friendly academy

3.4 miles away

American Kenpo Karate, Kick Boxing & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

4.6 ★★★★★ 21 reviews

7959 University Ave, La Mesa, CA

BJJ gym Kids & teens no-ego, friendly academy

4.2 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Spring Valley, 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.