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Learning jiu-jitsu in Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley
This guide covers the academies of Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, in LA's northeast. 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.
Women's classes in Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley
Rooms whose published schedule or programme page prints a women's or women-only class, each with the complete recorded summary of that fact, its source and the date it was read. What academies publish for women, and what to ask before a first class
- Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Pasadena The Women Empowered program holds three weekly slots on the published schedule source · 2026-09-15
- Modern Martial Arts and Fitness Gi BJJ Mon and Wed 7 PM with no-gi at 8 PM; Tue and Thu BJJ 6 PM with wrestling at 7 PM; Sat no-gi 11 AM; Sun women's jiu jitsu 10 AM source · 2026-09-02
A summary records what the page printed on the day it was read. Whether a class is women-only or mixed, and who may join, is in the summary where the academy publishes it; visitor and price facts are on the academy's card; where something is not published, ask the academy.
Map
Every academy with a full entry is pinned on the map, and neighborhood-level pins say so. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
10th Planet Pasadena
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants no-gi from day one, with a free class and a stated no-sparring first day
Why we say it: The published trial page details the whole first visit, and fundamentals run four evenings a week (verified 2026-07-14)
An early-morning or lunchtime trainer: weekday classes at 6:30 AM and 11 AM
Why we say it: The published schedule includes Mon/Wed/Fri 6:30 AM and Tue/Thu 11 AM sessions (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Franchise networkFree trialNo-giDaily beginner classes
Your first visit
- Trial
- One free class, booked by form or text. Wear workout clothes; no sparring on day one source · 2026-07-14
- Class schedule
- Adult classes seven days a week: fundamentals Mon-Thu 7 PM, all-levels mornings and evenings, Sunday takedowns source · 2026-07-14
Classes and cost
- Programs
- A no-gi school: the 10th Planet system trains without the gi source · 2026-07-14
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2333 N Lake Ave, Altadena, CA 91001 source · 2026-07-14
- Instructors
- Erik 'Compella' Cruz, introduced on the school's site as a 3rd-degree 10th Planet black belt, with seven black belts on staff source · 2026-07-14
Phone (626) 708-0771, text preferred Website Naver Map Apple Maps
Angel City Jiu Jitsu
Who this academy suits
A first-timer who wants a full free week to decide, with adult classes in the morning, at midday, and every weekday evening
Why we say it: The school's site signs up a free trial week, and the published class list runs adult all-levels blocks in the morning, at midday, and every weekday evening (verified 2026-07-14)
A family in the west San Gabriel Valley: kids from age 3, and juniors classes every weekday afternoon
Why we say it: The published class list runs kids 3-5 Mon/Wed 4:30 PM and juniors 6-11 every weekday at 5 PM (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialKids classesDaily beginner classes
Your first visit
- Trial
- Free trial week; pick a class and date on the school's own signup form, no experience needed source · 2026-09-04
- Class schedule
- Adults all levels Mon-Fri 6-7 PM, plus daytime classes Tue/Thu 10-11 AM and Mon/Wed/Fri 12-1 PM; kids 3-5 Mon/Wed 4:30 PM, juniors 6-11 Mon-Fri 5 PM source · 2026-09-01
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Two kids tracks: ages 3-5 twice a week and juniors 6-11 every weekday source · 2026-07-14
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2142 S Fremont Ave, Alhambra, CA 91803 source · 2026-07-14
Gracie Barra Pasadena
Who this academy suits
A first-timer who wants a structured fundamentals program with a booked free class, five days a week
Why we say it: The published timetable runs GB1 fundamentals five days a week, and the live widget books a free first class (verified 2026-07-14)
A family in the San Gabriel Valley wanting kids and adults training in one room
Why we say it: The published timetable pairs kids and juniors programs with the adult blocks on the same days, and the school's page states free parking (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Franchise networkFree trialStructured curriculumKids classesParking
Your first visit
- Trial
- Book a free first class online; a gi and rashguard are provided, and there is no sparring in the first class source · 2026-09-03
- Class schedule
- Adult fundamentals (GB1) Mon-Thu 6-7 PM and Sat 11 AM-12 PM; live training (GB2) follows for 30 minutes; Fridays are no-gi source · 2026-09-01
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids (5-9) and Juniors/Teens (10-15) programs, weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings source · 2026-07-13
- Programs
- Gi-based training with a dedicated no-gi Friday source · 2026-07-13
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 8953 Duarte Rd, San Gabriel, CA 91775 source · 2026-07-14
- Instructors
- Professor David, introduced on the school's page as a 2nd-degree black belt under Philipe Della Monica source · 2026-07-14
- Parking
- Free parking, per the school's own page source · 2026-07-14
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Pasadena
Who this academy suits
A cautious first-timer: a fixed-name beginner curriculum and ten free days to decide
Why we say it: Combatives runs six days a week on the published schedule, and the school's own page grants a 10-day unlimited trial with a loaner uniform (verified 2026-07-14)
A woman who wants a dedicated women's program with real weekly slots
Why we say it: Women Empowered holds three weekly slots on the published schedule, entered through the same 10-day trial (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Franchise networkFree trialStructured curriculumKids classes
Your first visit
- Trial
- A 10-day free trial with no obligations: as many classes as you like for ten days, started through the contact form with a free introductory lesson; the uniform-provided line no longer prints source · 2026-09-03
- Class schedule
- The beginner program (Gracie Combatives) runs six days a week: weekday evenings, Tue/Thu lunchtime, and Saturday morning. Women Empowered runs three times a week source · 2026-09-02
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 75 W Walnut St Ste 110, Pasadena, CA 91103 source · 2026-07-14
Jiu Jitsu Athletic Club
Who this academy suits
A beginner in Sierra Madre who wants to try properly before committing: a complimentary intro class, then a 30 day adult trial
Why we say it: The school's site offers a complimentary intro class and a 30 day adult trial, with BJJ running six days a week on the published schedule (verified 2026-07-14)
Someone who trains at lunchtime: 90 minute midday jiu jitsu blocks four days a week
Why we say it: The published schedule runs midday BJJ Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat 11:30 AM to 1 PM alongside the evening blocks (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialKids classesNo-gi
Your first visit
- Trial
- Complimentary intro class, and the school's site offers a 30 day trial for adult jiu jitsu and kickboxing source · 2026-09-03
- Class schedule
- Adult BJJ Mon, Wed, Fri 11:30 AM to 1 PM; Tue and Thu 7 to 8:30 PM; Wed 8:30 to 10 PM; Fri 7 to 8:30 PM; Sat 11:30 AM to 1 PM source · 2026-09-01
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids jiu jitsu program with a complimentary first class, per the school's site source · 2026-07-14
- Programs
- Gi and no-gi jiu jitsu both offered, per the school's site source · 2026-07-14
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 303 W Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA 91024 source · 2026-07-14
Jiu-Jitsu Kaizen
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants gi and no-gi in one week, with a ranked basics class every day
Why we say it: The published schedule splits gi and no-gi by day with a daily basics class, and trial guests get a loaner gi (verified 2026-07-14)
A visitor passing through who wants a clear drop-in policy
Why we say it: The visit rules are published outright: $40 drop-in, instructor approval, lockers (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialDrop-ins welcomeDaily beginner classesParking
Your first visit
- Trial
- Book the free trial by form; trial guests get a loaner gi. A regular drop-in costs $40 source · 2026-09-03
- Class schedule
- Gi Mon/Wed/Fri, no-gi Tue/Thu. Adult basics daily at 4:30 PM, all-levels at 11 AM, advanced at 7:20 PM source · 2026-09-01
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Both gi and no-gi, split by day of the week source · 2026-07-14
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 900 Fair Oaks Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030 source · 2026-07-14
- Instructors
- Coach Edwin, introduced on the school's site as a 3rd-degree black belt under Cobrinha source · 2026-07-14
- Parking
- Parking in the adjacent lot, per the school's own page source · 2026-07-14
Modern Martial Arts and Fitness
Who this academy suits
A beginner headed toward no-gi or MMA: evening jiu jitsu four nights a week with dedicated no-gi and wrestling blocks, and a free first class
Why we say it: The published schedule runs gi BJJ Mon-Thu evenings with dedicated no-gi and wrestling blocks, and the site books a free first class (verified 2026-07-14)
A woman who wants a dedicated women's jiu jitsu class in Pasadena
Why we say it: The published schedule lists a Sunday 10 AM women's jiu jitsu class, and the first class is free through the site's booking form (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialNo-gi
Your first visit
- Trial
- Free first class, booked through the form on the school's site source · 2026-09-03
- Class schedule
- Gi BJJ Mon and Wed 7 PM with no-gi at 8 PM; Tue and Thu BJJ 6 PM with wrestling at 7 PM; Sat no-gi 11 AM; Sun women's jiu jitsu 10 AM source · 2026-09-02
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Gi and no-gi classes both run weekly, with wrestling twice a week source · 2026-07-14
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2318 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107 source · 2026-07-14
Roger Machado Jiu-Jitsu Pasadena
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants a room led by one of the sport's most senior teachers, with a booked free intro
Why we say it: The site introduces Roger Machado as a 7th-degree coral belt at the academy, and the free intro books through a live scheduler (verified 2026-07-14)
Free trialParking
Your first visit
- Trial
- Book a free intro class online; the school notes it is for Southern California residents source · 2026-09-03
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 977 E Colorado Blvd #2, Pasadena, CA 91106 source · 2026-07-14
- Instructors
- Roger Machado, introduced on the school's site as a 7th-degree coral belt, teaching with a bench of black-belt instructors source · 2026-07-14
- Parking
- Lot on Catalina plus street parking, per the school's own page source · 2026-07-14
Sityodtong Los Angeles
Who this academy suits
A beginner in Monrovia who wants striking and grappling under one roof: five jiu jitsu classes a week inside a Muay Thai camp
Why we say it: The live schedule page runs five BJJ classes a week alongside daily Muay Thai and boxing, and the site signs up a free intro class (verified 2026-07-14)
Someone who wants gi and no-gi in the same week on one membership
Why we say it: The published week splits gi (Mon/Wed) and no-gi (Tue/Thu/Sat) classes (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialNo-gi
Your first visit
- Trial
- Free intro class signed up through the gym's site, with a free boxing glove rental source · 2026-09-03
- Class schedule
- Jiu jitsu five times a week: gi Mon and Wed 6:30 PM, no-gi Tue and Thu 6:30 PM and Sat 10:15 AM, inside a full Muay Thai and boxing week source · 2026-09-01
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Gi and no-gi split across the same week: gi Mon/Wed, no-gi Tue/Thu/Sat source · 2026-07-14
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 260 E Taylor St, Monrovia, CA 91016 source · 2026-07-14
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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Cia Paulista Monrovia · Official site819 S Myrtle Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016 · (626) 394-9720Last checked: 2026-07-13
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Common Ground Jiu Jitsu · Official site464 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101 · 626-491-5850 · Head instructor Alex Aung, presented on the school's site as a 3rd degree black belt under Shawn Williams in the Renzo Gracie line · A dedicated beginner program, with gi and no-gi fundamentals each run as a structured curriculum, per the school's site · Free trial class, booked through the application form on the school's siteLast checked: 2026-09-03
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Cosmic Training Center · Official site115 S Garfield Ave, Alhambra, CA 91801 · 626-284-4255 · Adult jiu jitsu in gi and no-gi plus judo and wrestling classes, with kids, toddler, and women's programs, per the school's siteLast checked: 2026-09-01
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Eagle Rock Jiu-Jitsu Academy · Official site7105 N Figueroa St Ste A, Los Angeles, CA 90042 · (310) 907-6231Last checked: 2026-07-13
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Fight Academy Pasadena · Official site36 W Colorado Blvd B1, Pasadena, CA 91105Last checked: 2026-07-13
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Flow State Jiu-Jitsu · Official site2750 Colorado Blvd, Ste 1, Los Angeles, CA 90041 · 213-588-9339 · Ben Stream and Eric Mora, named on the school's site; belts are not published there · Free trial class signed up through the school's siteLast checked: 2026-09-15
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Groundworks Jiu Jitsu Academy · Official site1938 Huntington Dr, South Pasadena, CA 91030Last checked: 2026-07-13
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Jiu Jitsu Team America · Official site46 Live Oak Ave, Arcadia, CA 91006 · (509) 879-8581 · Head instructor Professor Joshua Valles, listed as a black belt on the school's coaches pageLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Legacy BJJ Pasadena · Official site2560 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107 · 626-787-4333Last checked: 2026-07-13
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Lion Heart Jiu Jitsu Academy · Official site1790 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104 · 626-479-1969 · Owner Jeremy Zarghami; lead adult instructor Joe Teodoro, per the school's about page · Adult, kids, and women's jiu jitsu programs (gi) plus kickboxing, per the school's siteLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Logic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Arcadia · Official site113 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91006 · 626-716-5111 · Free trial class booked through the group's own siteLast checked: 2026-09-15
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Logic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pasadena · Official site117 W Bellevue Dr, Pasadena, CA 91105 · 626-716-5111 · Free trial class booked through the group's own siteLast checked: 2026-09-15
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Mountain BJJ · Official site127 S 1st Ave, Arcadia, CA 91006 · (626) 538-4640Last checked: 2026-07-13
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SBG SoCal · Official site603 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101 · 626-683-9978 · Head coach Marco Sanchez II, per the gym's own staff pageLast checked: 2026-07-14
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SCHOOL Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu · Official site24 W St Joseph St, Arcadia, CA 91007 · (626) 461-5237 · Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, and MMA programs, per the school's siteLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Selva Brazilian Jiu Jitsu · Official siteLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Silanoe Martial Arts · Official site556 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776 · (626) 789-7344Last checked: 2026-07-13
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Total Jiu Jitsu · Official site1021 S Brand Blvd, Ste 102, Glendale, CA 91204 · (818) 539-7007Last checked: 2026-09-01
Frequently asked questions
Which academies in Pasadena offer a free trial?
10th Planet Pasadena: One free class, booked by form or text. Wear workout clothes; no sparring on day one; Angel City Jiu Jitsu: Free trial week; pick a class and date on the school's own signup form, no experience needed; Gracie Barra Pasadena: Book a free first class online; a gi and rashguard are provided, and there is no sparring in the first class; Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Pasadena: A 10-day free trial with no obligations: as many classes as you like for ten days, started through the contact form with a free introductory lesson; the uniform-provided line no longer prints; Jiu Jitsu Athletic Club: Complimentary intro class, and the school's site offers a 30 day trial for adult jiu jitsu and kickboxing …
How do I book a trial class?
It differs by academy. Where we could verify the booking method, it is listed under "Your first visit" in that academy's entry; otherwise, asking through the academy's official channel is the most reliable route.
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.