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Learning jiu-jitsu in the East Bay
This guide covers the academies of Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Emeryville, Richmond, and San Leandro, the East Bay shoreline where Ralph Gracie put down roots and independents run deep. For someone just starting, the real question is not "which academy is best" but "which one fits me." This guide exists to answer that question.
Map
Only academies with verified information appear on the map. Grey pins mark verified addresses for academies still being confirmed.
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Oakland
Who this academy suits
A beginner drawn to the modern no-gi game who wants a low-friction door: three free classes, no payment details, just workout clothes
Why we say it: A no-gi 10th Planet system school (network locator confirms Oakland) with three free classes and no payment information required (verified 2026-07-24)
Franchise networkNo-giFree trial
Your first visit
- Free trial
- Three free classes, no payment info, just show up in workout clothes
Classes and cost
- Programs
- No-gi only: the 10th Planet system trains without the gi
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 930 Alice St, Oakland, CA 94607
- Instructors
- Michael Hillebrand is named as the instructor
Alameda Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense Academy
Who this academy suits
A family that wants one long-running Alameda academy covering toddlers through adults under a senior black belt, with a free tryout first
Why we say it: The own site presents Sergio Silva as a fifth degree BJJ black belt, lists a toddlers-through-adults ladder, and offers a free tryout class (verified 2026-07-24)
Kids classesFree trial
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free tryout class is offered
Classes and cost
- Programs
- A full ladder from toddlers through adults, plus private lessons
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2227 Mariner Square Loop, Alameda, CA 94501
- Instructors
- Professor Sergio Silva is the head instructor
- Belt
- Presented on the own site as a fifth degree BJJ black belt, also a judo black belt
Cavassani BJJ
Who this academy suits
A working beginner in the Richmond Marina Bay area who needs evening classes, wants a black belt on the mat, and likes knowing the price up front, with a first class free
Why we say it: The own site presents Kaue Cavassani as a black belt, runs evening-weighted hours, offers a first class free, and publishes $200/month pricing (rendered read 2026-07-24)
Schedule verified Free trialPricing publishedKids classesStriking classes too
Your first visit
- Free trial
- First class free, with a request-free-trial call to action
- Class schedule
- Own-site hours: Sun closed; Mon/Wed/Fri 6:00-8:30 PM; Tue/Thu 5:00-8:30 PM; Sat 9:00-10:00 AM
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Adults gi and no-gi, Babies (3-5), Kids (6-12), and Muay Thai
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 855 Marina Bay Pkwy Ste 110, Richmond, CA 94804
- Instructors
- Professor Kaue Cavassani is the head instructor
- Belt
- Presented on the own coaches page as a black belt with 26+ years of experience
Dominat10n Jiu Jitsu
Who this academy suits
A beginner, and especially a woman, who wants a Carlson Gracie lineage black belt and an explicit women's track, with a free trial week to start
Why we say it: The own instructors page presents Dom Hoskins as a third degree black belt under Rodrigo Medeiros, the site lists a Femme women's program, and the trial is up to one week free via a coupon code (verified 2026-07-24)
Women's programKids classesFree trial
Your first visit
- Free trial
- Use code BUTTERFLYEFFECT when booking any class for a free trial, up to one week free
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids, adult, and Femme (women's) jiu-jitsu programs
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 4299 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611
- Instructors
- Dom Hoskins is the head coach
- Belt
- Presented as a third degree black belt under Rodrigo Medeiros (Carlson Gracie lineage), promoted 2016
El Cerrito Martial Arts
Who this academy suits
A family in the El Cerrito or Albany corridor that wants a local, owner-taught school where kids and parents can train, six days a week, close to home
Why we say it: The only verified standalone dedicated BJJ room in the El Cerrito/Albany corridor (discovery ledger); the own site lists six-day classes for kids, teens and adults plus a family class, owner-taught by Cody Wilson (verified 2026-07-24)
Schedule verified Kids classesStriking classes tooDaily beginner classes
Your first visit
- Class schedule
- Classes six days a week for kids, teens and adults, plus a family class; confirm exact per-day times
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu (own materials: Gracie), plus karate and Muay Thai, for kids, teens and adults, with a family class
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 10400 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
- Instructors
- Cody Wilson ('Sensei Cody') is the owner and head instructor
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Alameda
Who this academy suits
A true beginner who wants a structured, step-by-step self-defense curriculum rather than open sparring from day one, with a 10-day risk-free trial to test it
Why we say it: A Gracie University CTC (corroborated by the network CTC page) teaching the Gracie Combatives beginner curriculum, led by first degree black belt Chelsea Nalani Burgo, with a published 10-day risk-free trial (verified 2026-07-24)
A parent looking for a structured anti-bullying kids program with clear age tiers
Why we say it: The own classes page lists Gracie Bullyproof, Little Champs, Jr. Grapplers and Gracie Teens as age-tiered youth programs (verified 2026-07-24)
Franchise networkStructured curriculumKids classesFree trial
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A 10-day risk-free trial with unlimited access to all beginner group classes
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Gracie Combatives and Master Cycle for adults; Gracie Bullyproof and age-tiered youth programs
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2424 Blanding Ave, Ste 302, Alameda, CA 94501
- Instructors
- Chelsea Nalani Burgo is the head instructor and a certified Gracie University instructor
- Belt
- Presented on the own site as a first degree black belt under Crosley Gracie
Hierba Mala Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Who this academy suits
A shift worker or an inconsistent-schedule beginner who needs to train on any day of the week, under a black belt, with a free first session to start
Why we say it: The own site presents Luis Soltero as a second degree black belt, states classes run seven days a week for all levels, and offers a free first session (verified 2026-07-24)
Schedule verified Free trialDaily beginner classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- Claim a free first session to get started
- Class schedule
- Classes seven days a week for all levels; confirm exact per-day times
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu for all skill levels
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2100 Orchard Ave, San Leandro, CA 94577
- Instructors
- Luis Soltero is the head instructor
- Belt
- Presented on the own site as a second degree black belt (lineage not stated)
Island City Jiu-Jitsu
Who this academy suits
A beginner or a family who wants a modern Alameda room with a named black belt head coach, a striking option, and an open invitation to try a class before committing
Why we say it: The own site names Zach Costa as a first degree black belt under Diogo Gomes, lists youth from age 4 and a Muay Thai program, and states a try-before-you-buy policy (verified 2026-07-24)
Kids classesStriking classes tooFree trial
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A try-before-you-buy policy: experience a class before signing up
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Adult jiu-jitsu (gi and no-gi), youth BJJ (ages 4-12), Muay Thai, MMA, and mobility training
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2318 Central Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
- Instructors
- Zach Costa is the head coach
- Belt
- Presented on the own site as a first degree black belt under Diogo Gomes and a former MMA fighter
Mineiro Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Emeryville)
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants a dedicated beginners class under a long-tenured black belt, with a woman head coach on the floor and a Muay Thai option alongside
Why we say it: The own site lists a dedicated adults beginners track and Muay Thai and names Professor Liz (first degree black belt) as the Emeryville head coach since 2021 under Checkmat black belt Marcelo Mineiro (verified 2026-07-24)
Daily beginner classesWomen's programKids classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- The own site offers a 'Book Your Trial Class' option; specific terms are not stated
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Adults BJJ with a beginners track and no-gi, women's BJJ, age-tiered kids and kids MMA, and Muay Thai
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 5515 Doyle St #7, Emeryville, CA 94608
- Instructors
- Professor Liz is the Emeryville head coach since 2021; owner Marcelo Mineiro leads the academies
- Belt
- Presented on the own site as: Professor Liz, first degree black belt; Marcelo Mineiro, Checkmat black belt (2008)
Oakland Jiu Jitsu - Eduardo Rocha Academy
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants high instruction pedigree with a no-pressure runway: a Royler Gracie lineage black belt on Grand Ave and a full 30 days free to decide
Why we say it: The own site presents Eduardo Rocha as a fifth degree black belt promoted by Royler Gracie and publishes a 30-day free trial (verified 2026-07-24)
Franchise networkFree trial
Your first visit
- Free trial
- Sign up today and get 30 days free (a full free month)
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the Six Blades method
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1333 Grand Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94610
- Instructors
- Eduardo Rocha is the head instructor
- Belt
- Presented on the own site as a fifth degree black belt, promoted by Royler Gracie
Ralph Gracie Berkeley Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Who this academy suits
A Berkeley beginner who wants the East Bay's Ralph Gracie flagship, with a free first class and stand-up options alongside the jiu-jitsu
Why we say it: A Ralph Gracie network room led by Eduardo Fraga (own site: fifth degree black belt), with a free trial class published and judo, boxing, kids and women's tracks listed (verified 2026-07-24)
Franchise networkFree trialKids classesWomen's programStriking classes too
Your first visit
- Free trial
- The homepage offers a free trial class
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu, plus judo and boxing tracks and kids and women's classes
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1500 Ashby Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703
- Instructors
- Eduardo Fraga is the head instructor
- Belt
- Presented on the academy's site as a fifth degree black belt
Ralph Gracie Richmond Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self Defense
Who this academy suits
A Richmond beginner who wants a Ralph Gracie network room with a dedicated beginners class and a free intro to start
Why we say it: The own site publishes a distinct beginners class plus women's and no-gi tracks, and a free intro class (verified 2026-07-24)
Franchise networkFree trialKids classesWomen's programNo-gi
Your first visit
- Free trial
- The own site offers a free intro class
Classes and cost
- Programs
- A full ladder on the own site: kids, beginners, intermediate, advanced, competition, women's, no-gi, and privates
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 3065 Richmond Pkwy #107, Richmond, CA 94806
- Instructors
- Igor Estrella is the head instructor
- Belt
- Igor Estrella is a 3rd-degree black belt under Ralph Gracie
Academies being verified
We are re-confirming the essentials: class schedules and trial mechanics. Each academy joins the full guide once its facts meet the bar.
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Lycan Jiu Jitsu & Self-Defense · Official site2905 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705 · (510) 983-4822 · Coach Joe Monroe and Coach Ken Kim are named as the coaches · A one-week free trialLast checked: 2026-07-24
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San Lorenzo BJJ · Official siteSchedule a trial class by email or Instagram DM; terms not statedLast checked: 2026-07-24
I'm a complete beginner. Can I just show up?
It differs by academy. Entries show where a fundamentals program and first-visit process are verified. For the rest, check with the academy before visiting. For what a first class actually feels like, see the beginner posts on our blog.