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Learning jiu-jitsu in San Francisco
This guide covers the academies of San Francisco itself, from the Mission and SoMa out to the Sunset and the Richmond, the city that holds Ralph Gracie's headquarters and Carley Gracie's historic room. 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.
Alliance Jiu Jitsu San Francisco
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants clear pricing and a no pressure start: a free trial class, then $249 a month for gi and no-gi or a $29.99 drop in, under a fourth degree black belt
Why we say it: The own site offers a free trial, publishes its rates, and names a fourth degree Alliance black belt head (verified 2026-07-24)
A parent choosing a class for a specific age: kids bands from 3-5 up to 13-15, at a fixed $189 a month
Why we say it: The own site lists kids age bands and a $189 kids rate (verified 2026-07-24)
Schedule verified Pricing published Free trialKids classesNo-giPricing publishedDrop-ins welcome
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free trial class before you become a student, per the academy's own site
- Class schedule
- A weekly grid of roughly 13 class slots across six days, covering adult gi and no-gi plus age banded kids classes
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Adults gi and no-gi $249 a month, kids $189, drop in $29.99, private lessons $159.99, in US dollars
- Programs
- Kids classes in age bands 3-5, 6-9, 10-12 and 13-15
- Programs
- Adult gi jiu-jitsu and no-gi, drop-in classes and private instruction
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1625 Bush Street, Suite 5, San Francisco, CA 94109
- Instructors
- Lucio Muramatsu and Nayo Mouton-Fuentes lead the academy
- Belt
- By the academy's own account, Lucio Muramatsu is a fourth degree Alliance black belt and Nayo Mouton-Fuentes a black belt since 2019
Carley Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Who this academy suits
A beginner drawn to the city's deepest lineage: small evening groups under a Gracie-family grandmaster who, by the academy's own account, is a 9th degree red belt taught by Carlos Gracie
Why we say it: The own site publishes the rank claims (attributed) and a Mon/Wed/Fri 6:30 pm group schedule capped at 12 to 16 (verified 2026-07-24)
Schedule verified Structured curriculum
Your first visit
- Free trial
- No free trial is advertised; you visit during an evening session or call to enroll
- Class schedule
- Group classes run Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30 pm, with Tuesday and Thursday reserved for private and semi-private sessions by appointment
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- Dojo at 90 Welsh St, San Francisco, CA 94107 (mailing office 75 Broadway, Suite 202)
- Instructors
- Grandmaster Carley Gracie teaches personally, with groups capped at 12 to 16 students
- Belt
- By the academy's own account, a 9th degree red belt recognized by the Rio de Janeiro and U.S. federations, personally trained by Carlos Gracie
Charles Gracie Academy Richmond District
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants to try before paying: a real three class free trial at a Charles Gracie room, with a freshly posted current-season schedule
Why we say it: The own site offers a three class free trial and posts a dated Summer 2026 schedule (verified 2026-07-24)
A parent enrolling a child: age-banded kids classes alongside adult gi and no-gi
Why we say it: The own site lists age-banded kids groups plus adult gi and no-gi (verified 2026-07-24)
Schedule verified Franchise networkFree trialKids classesNo-gi
Your first visit
- Free trial
- The site offers a three class free trial with a booking link
- Class schedule
- The site posts a dated Summer 2026 schedule image, with adult gi and no-gi, private lessons, and kids groups (5-7, 7-9, 10-14)
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids groups split by age: 5-7, 7-9, and 10-14
- Programs
- Adult gi and no-gi classes, plus private lessons in gi, no-gi, wrestling and self-defense
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 6300 California St, San Francisco, CA 94118
- Instructors
- Alex and Mark D'Ercole own and run the academy
- Belt
- Mark D'Ercole is a black belt; Alex's rank is not stated
Colhado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants a real dedicated BJJ academy, not a program inside an MMA gym: a Nova Uniao black belt, a dedicated beginners class, and a free trial you start with a form
Why we say it: The own site names a third degree Nova Uniao black belt, a Tue/Thu beginners class, and a form-start free trial (verified 2026-07-24)
A parent starting a young child: kids classes several days a week from age 4, at a family owned West Portal room with a transparent $40 drop in
Why we say it: The own site runs kids classes from age 4 and publishes a $40 day drop in (verified 2026-07-24)
Schedule verified Pricing published Free trialKids classesWomen's programNo-giDrop-ins welcome
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free trial that begins once you complete the sign-up form, with a school gi required after the trial
- Class schedule
- Kids run Mon and Wed 5-6pm plus Tue and Thu afternoons and Sat mornings, and a beginners class runs Tue and Thu 7:30-8:30pm, with adult, women's and open mat classes
Classes and cost
- Membership
- The site publishes a $40 one day drop in; monthly membership amounts are not published
- Programs
- Kids classes across the week, welcoming children from age 4
- Programs
- Beginners, adult, women's and no-gi classes, open mat, kids and private lessons; kids from age 4
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 603 Taraval St, San Francisco, CA 94116
- Instructors
- Professor Matheus Colhado, head instructor and owner
- Belt
- By the academy's own account, a third degree black belt under Rodrigo Feijao of Nova Uniao
Empire Jiu Jitsu
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants a serious, culture-first Mission room run by two named head instructors, with an all levels program and a live class calendar
Why we say it: The own site names both head instructors, frames the program for first timers to competitors, and embeds a live class calendar (verified 2026-07-24)
Someone who does not want to commit to a membership at first: a prepaid 10 class pass valid for six months lets you train at your own pace
Why we say it: The own site publishes a six month prepaid 10 class pass alongside the monthly membership (verified 2026-07-24)
Schedule verified Pricing published Structured curriculumDrop-ins welcome
Your first visit
- Free trial
- No free trial is advertised; you can start with a monthly membership or a prepaid 10 class pass valid for six months, booking through the embedded calendar
- Class schedule
- The site embeds a live ZenPlanner class calendar, so the weekly grid renders right on the page and drives booking
Classes and cost
- Membership
- A monthly membership tiered by frequency plus a prepaid 10 class pass valid for six months; exact USD amounts are not printed, quoted by email or phone
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2356 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
- Instructors
- Kurt Osiander and Jake Scovel, both listed as head instructor
Excelsior Martial Arts Academy
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants a welcoming family run academy with a real trial window: a three day free trial at a woman led room, with a black belt head instructor team and a kids program
Why we say it: The own site offers a three day free trial, names the head team, and lists a kids program (verified 2026-07-24)
Free trialKids classesWomen's programStriking classes too
Your first visit
- Free trial
- The site offers a three day free trial, with a contact or book a class prompt
Classes and cost
- Programs
- A kids program, from age 3 per the D1 sweep
- Programs
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu plus boxing, Filipino martial arts, wrestling and a kids program
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1178 Geneva Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112
- Instructors
- Martin Romualdez and Jyn Rose Aguas Romualdez, a husband and wife head instructor team
- Belt
- By the academy's own account, the coaching team are black belts and include IBJJF black belt world champions
- Front-desk hours (not class times)
- Monday to Friday 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, closed weekends per the current site
Magalit Jiu Jitsu Academy
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants a no-gi first room in the Mission and a free first class, under a black belt who came up through 10th Planet and competition jiu-jitsu
Why we say it: The own site offers a free class, frames a no-gi program, and names its 2014 black belt head (verified 2026-07-24)
Schedule verified Free trialNo-giKids classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- The site offers a free class to try, with a free intro course sign up on the classes page
- Class schedule
- No-gi classes for adults and gi classes for kids aged 12 and under run through the week for all levels, with a free intro course by sign up
Classes and cost
- Programs
- No-gi for adults and gi for kids aged 12 and under, a competition proven no-gi program for all levels
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 3274 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
- Instructors
- Travis Magalit, head instructor and owner, with coaches Noah Chen and Ben Jones alongside
- Belt
- By the academy's own account, awarded his black belt in 2014 under Leandro Vieira and Stephan Goyne, after competing to brown belt at 10th Planet
Outlaw Jiu-Jitsu
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants a low commitment start in the Excelsior: a free trial and a flat $25 per class rate at a neighborhood room with a pro MMA head coach, gi BJJ for adults and kids
Why we say it: The own site offers a free trial, publishes a $25 per class rate, and names the head coach (verified 2026-07-24)
Pricing published Free trialKids classesPricing publishedStriking classes too
Your first visit
- Free trial
- The site offers a free trial, with duration and terms not detailed on the page
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Per class rates are published: kids BJJ $25, kids Muay Thai $25, adult BJJ with gi $25 for a one hour class; monthly amounts are not specified, in US dollars
- Programs
- Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and kids Muay Thai
- Programs
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for kids and adults (gi), Muay Thai for kids, MMA, self-defense and private classes
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1029 Geneva Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112
- Instructors
- Professor Ronal Hernandez, head instructor and a professional MMA fighter
Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Headquarters
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants a real beginners track at the Bay Area's original Ralph Gracie academy, with a trial class you can book first
Why we say it: The own site lists a beginners class and an all levels class and offers a bookable trial (verified 2026-07-24)
A woman starting out or a parent, who wants a dedicated women's class and kids programs from age 4
Why we say it: The program set includes a women's class and kids tracks from age 4 (verified 2026-07-24)
Schedule verified Franchise networkWomen's programKids classesFree trialDaily beginner classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- The site invites you to book a trial class outright
- Class schedule
- Adult classes run as All Levels, Beginners, Women's, No Gi, sparring, competition and striking, with kids as Gracie Cubs (4-6) and Kids Striking (7-12); the weekly grid lives behind the site's schedule link
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Cubs (ages 4-6), and Kids Striking (ages 7-12)
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1166 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Romulo Melo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Who this academy suits
A nervous first timer who wants a gentle private start: a free one on one 30 minute intro before any group class, at a Gracie Humaita room in central SF
Why we say it: The own site offers a free private 30 minute intro and names the Gracie Humaita lineage (verified 2026-07-24)
Someone with a working schedule: early morning, midday and evening classes across the week, plus a fundamentals and a no-gi track
Why we say it: The weekly schedule runs early morning, midday and evening slots, with a fundamentals and no-gi class (verified 2026-07-24)
Schedule verified Free trialNo-giEarly morning classesDaytime classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- The site offers a free private 30 minute introductory class, a one on one first step rather than a group drop-in
- Class schedule
- Classes run mornings, midday and evenings through the week, with a members open mat on Saturday
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Group BJJ, a fundamentals class, a no-gi class, private classes and class streaming
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1313 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94133
- Instructors
- Romulo Melo, head instructor and owner
- Belt
- By the academy's own account, trained under Vinicius Aieta and Royler Gracie at Gracie Humaita in Rio
Skrap Pack Mission
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants real BJJ with the option of striking, under a black belt, with clear pricing: gi and no-gi inside a storied Mission fight team, first class booked by form
Why we say it: The own BJJ page names a black belt head and a gi and no-gi program, and the pricing page publishes memberships and a first class initiation (verified 2026-07-24)
Pricing published No-giStriking classes tooPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A first class booked by form, with a $150 one time initiation that includes one Muay Thai and one jiu-jitsu lesson
Classes and cost
- Membership
- A $150 initiation, youth $250 a month and adult $265 a month for unlimited access to five disciplines, month to month, in US dollars
- Programs
- Gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu for all levels as fundamentals, no-gi and open mat, within a five discipline program
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 672 South Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
- Instructors
- Mike Peltzer, head BJJ instructor, who co-founded the gym with Gilbert Melendez
- Belt
- By the gym's own account, Mike Peltzer is a black belt who trained in Rio under Dennis Asche and Roberto Correa, awarded by Gilbert Melendez
Studio86 Jiu Jitsu
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants clear published pricing before walking in: memberships from $180 a month and a $45 drop in, at a black belt led room with beginner gi fundamentals and no-gi
Why we say it: The own site publishes $180/mo memberships, a $45 drop in, a weekly schedule, and a third degree black belt head (verified 2026-07-24)
Schedule verified Pricing published No-giKids classesPricing publishedDrop-ins welcome
Your first visit
- Free trial
- First visits are by a sign up form completed before arriving, and all classes and drop ins are by appointment
- Class schedule
- Kids and gi run Mon and Thu evenings, with no-gi Wed and Fri, a Saturday kids class and no-gi open mat, and Sunday privates
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Memberships start at $180 a month with annual discounts, and an out of town drop in is $45, in US dollars
- Programs
- Gi and no-gi for adults from beginner up, an executive gi class, a no-gi open mat, kids (6-12), and a Saturday kickboxing class
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1204 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109 (appointment only)
- Instructors
- Owner Yukito Isoda teaches, with brown belt coaches Flora Rooker and Hamza Louzan alongside
- Belt
- By the academy's own account, Yukito Isoda is a third degree black belt under Lucas Leite
World Team USA Muay Thai BJJ and Fitness
Who this academy suits
Someone who wants grappling alongside Muay Thai under one roof: a structured, named BJJ program in gi and no-gi for beginners through competitors, with a low cost intro lesson
Why we say it: The own BJJ page names the professors and a gi and no-gi program, and the site publishes a $79 intro lesson (verified 2026-07-24)
Pricing published No-giStriking classes tooPricing published
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A $79 introduction lesson billed as perfect for beginners, plus a $49 day pass
Classes and cost
- Membership
- A $79 intro lesson and a $49 day pass; ongoing membership amounts are not published, in US dollars
- Programs
- A BJJ program for beginners through competitors, gi and no-gi, within a wider Muay Thai and MMA program
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 445 Judah St, San Francisco, CA 94122
- Instructors
- The BJJ program is led by named professors Conrad Bui and Frederico Bittar Gomes
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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Bay Jiu-Jitsu · Official site1628 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 · 833-229-5487Last checked: 2026-07-24
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Combat Krav Maga SF · Official site1455 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94109 · The no-gi BJJ class is taught by Seiji, per the gym's own BJJ pageLast 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.