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Santa Cruz Jiujitsu
5 ★★★★★ 7 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Santa Cruz, California
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
- Website & schedule santacruzjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (831) 706-6232
The classes they run
“The coaching is clear, honest, and tailored to how kids learn, with drills and rounds structured to build strong fundamentals and fix mistakes early.”
“My grandson has been enrolled in Santa Cruz jiu-jitsu for about eight months and it’s been a truly positive experience.”
Other martial arts here
What members say
“McKenna and Nico are patient, attentive, and excellent at breaking down techniques in a way young kids can understand — while still building focus, respect, and resilience.”
“My kids feel confident, supported, and excited to attend every class.”
“The coaches are kind, hold good structure and prepare the kids well for competitions for those who want to (no pressure).”
“Coaches are both high level Jiu Jitsu athletes themselves who create a focused, challenging and most of all fun environment.”
From the reviews
I am deeply grateful to the SCJJ coaches for providing my daughters with exceptional martial arts training, invaluable individual mentorship, and a village of the most supportive parents and peers.
We love Santa Cruz Jiu Jitsu! My 2 sons have been practicing with Coach Nico and Coach McKenna since they were in 3rd and 5th grade. They are now in 5th and 7th and still love it and are still growing. They have made incredible progress and love being a part of the Santa Cruz Jiu Jitsu community.
My grandson has been enrolled in Santa Cruz jiu-jitsu for about eight months and it’s been a truly positive experience. A great school starts with a strong foundation and that begins with Coach Nico and Coach McKenna. They’re not just skilled instructors.
I can't recommend SC JiuJitsu enough! Coaches Nico and McKenna are absolutely incredible with the kids. They focus on teaching not only safety and respect but also proper body mechanics and technique. Their dedication and expertise make a real difference, and it's clear the kids adore them—and so do the parents.
New to BJJ? Start at Santa Cruz Jiujitsu
Santa Cruz Jiujitsu 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.
Your first BJJ class at Santa Cruz Jiujitsu
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.
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