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Learning jiu-jitsu in the South Bay
Torrance is where the Gracie family put down its American roots, and the beach cities around it train 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 Torrance
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants no-gi from day one, with a two week unlimited run to test it and a free 20 minute intro first
Why we say it: A no-gi school with its trial published outright: free 20 minute intro, $45 two weeks unlimited, first month free on consistency (verified 2026-07-14)
A parent starting a child in no-gi: kids classes from age 3 with the same low-cost trial
Why we say it: Kids run in two age groups Mon/Wed/Sat, with an identical $45 two week kids trial in the booking portal (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Franchise networkNo-giKids classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A $45 two week unlimited trial plus a free 20 minute intro session; the gym's own line: stay consistent during the challenge and earn your first month free
- Class schedule
- Adult and teen classes run seven days a week by level, kids (3-6 and 7-12) Mon/Wed/Sat; exact times live in the booking portal, confirm by phone
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids from age 3 in two groups (3-6 and 7-12) on Mon/Wed/Sat, with the same $45 two week trial
- Programs
- A no-gi school: the 10th Planet system trains without the gi
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 24433 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
Caique Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Who this academy suits
A beginner who wants their first lesson to be a free private lesson, in a room one generation from Helio Gracie
Why we say it: The free private intro lesson is published outright, and the academy's own bio places Caique Elias's training with Rickson and Helio Gracie (verified 2026-07-14)
A schedule-constrained beginner: dedicated beginner classes morning, noon, and evening, 14 times a week
Why we say it: The published grid carries 14 dedicated beginner slots a week, entered through the free intro (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialDaily beginner classesKids classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free private intro lesson and a free intro class, both one session, requested via the site form
- Class schedule
- Beginner adult classes run 14 times a week across mornings, lunchtimes, and evenings; Thursday has no-gi advanced sessions; Saturday has a 10 AM beginner class
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids tracks by age (5-10 and 9-15) six days a week, a Saturday girls class, and a kids-and-parents session on the last Saturday of odd months
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 24831 Narbonne Ave, Lomita, CA 90717
- Instructors
- Master Caique Elias. The academy's own bio states he trained to black belt with Rickson and Helio Gracie and came to the US in 1996 at Helio Gracie's invitation
Canvas Jiu Jitsu
Who this academy suits
A nervous first-timer: beginner-only classes in their own room, and a whole free week instead of one class
Why we say it: The Annex grid holds beginner-only classes three times a week, with a published free one week trial (verified 2026-07-14)
An older beginner: a gi class reserved for age 40 plus, twice a week
Why we say it: The Annex lists Gi (Age 40+) Mon and Wed 6:30 PM, entered through the same free week (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialKids classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free one week trial, arranged by call or text
- Class schedule
- Open seven days: HQ runs 6 AM, 11 AM, and 6:30 PM classes with daily rolling sessions; the Annex holds beginner-only classes three times a week at 5:30 PM and a 40 plus gi class twice a week
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids run in three weekday afternoon bands plus Mon/Wed/Sun mornings
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2102 and 2112 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Torrance, CA 90504 (HQ and the Annex)
Phone (310) 283-5834, call or text Website Naver Map Apple Maps
Carlson Gracie South Bay
Who this academy suits
A walk-in starter: free trial with no booking step, and a freshly dated schedule to plan around
Why we say it: The own pricing page reads free trial classes, just come in, and the grid is stamped UPDATED 06.06.2026 (verified 2026-07-14)
A budget-clear starter: one flat published price, unlimited classes, no contract
Why we say it: The published sheet is one flat line per group, no contract, with adult classes mornings and evenings five days a week (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Pricing published Free trialKids classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- Free trial classes; the school's own line: just come in
- Class schedule
- Adult classes run Mon-Fri at 9 AM and 6:30 PM with fundamentals Mon and Wed 5:30 PM; three kids age groups on weekday afternoons; closed Sunday
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Adults unlimited $149 per month, kids $129, no contract, in US dollars
- Programs
- Kids classes run every weekday in three age bands (5-7, 8-10, 11-13)
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2067 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501
- Instructors
- Professor Andre Vasconcellos (Andre Alemao), introduced on the school's site as a 4th degree black belt
Elite Training Center
Who this academy suits
Someone who wants BJJ as one piece of a big striking and self-defense gym, with two free walk-in classes; note that BJJ runs twice a week
Why we say it: The own offer is two free classes with same-day drop-ins, and the gym's own March 2026 BJJ grid holds exactly two weekly slots (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trial
Your first visit
- Free trial
- Two free trial classes; show up 15 minutes before any basic or all-level class, same-day drop-ins welcome, no gi required for beginners
- Class schedule
- Jiu-jitsu runs twice a week on the March 2026 grid: a Wednesday evening MMA/BJJ all-levels class and a Thursday evening BJJ all-levels class, both in the 7 PM band
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1628 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Ethos Jiu-Jitsu South Bay
Who this academy suits
A lunch-hour trainer on the Lomita corridor: noon classes three days a week on a freshly dated grid
Why we say it: The own grid, dated 6-1-26, carries noon classes three days a week (verified 2026-07-14)
A new starter with a free first class and evening classes four nights a week
Why we say it: The own site offers a free trial to all new students and the grid runs Mon-Thu evenings (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialKids classesDaytime classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free trial class for all new students, booked by phone
- Class schedule
- Adults and teens train Mon/Wed/Fri at noon (Wednesday no-gi) and Mon-Thu 6 PM (Thursday no-gi), with a Saturday 9:30 AM open mat; kids run in two age bands on weekday afternoons
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids classes split 5-7 (Mon/Thu) and 8-13 (Mon-Thu) on weekday afternoons
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 1861 W Lomita Blvd, Ste D, Lomita, CA 90717
Excellence School of Jiu Jitsu
Who this academy suits
A morning or lunch trainer: 6:30 and 7:30 AM classes plus a 12:30 PM class every weekday
Why we say it: The published grid carries morning classes five days and a 12:30 PM class Mon-Fri (verified 2026-07-14)
A woman starting with women's-only mats: three morning classes plus a Thursday evening self-defense slot, and a free intro class
Why we say it: The grid holds four weekly women's slots and the site offers a free intro class by email (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialWomen's programKids classesDaytime classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free intro class, booked by email
- Class schedule
- Adult classes run mornings (6:30 or 7:30 AM), 12:30 PM lunches, and evenings every weekday; women's classes hold Mon/Wed/Fri 9 AM plus a Thursday evening self-defense no-gi slot; kids run daily by age with a Saturday morning class
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids classes run daily in four age bands with competition, no-gi, and Saturday morning slots
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 22223 Palos Verdes Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
- Instructors
- Eduardo Santoro, presented on the school's site as a 5th degree black belt, teaching alongside Syang Santoro, a 2nd degree
Gracie University Headquarters (Torrance)
Who this academy suits
A cautious first-timer: a fixed-name beginner curriculum, ten free days to decide, and published prices
Why we say it: Combatives runs ten plus times a week on the published table, with a 10 day unlimited free trial and published $180-220 monthly pricing (verified 2026-07-14)
Someone who wants to learn the curriculum where it is written: the headquarters room, led by the family that runs the network
Why we say it: The franchise's own page names this the network's global headquarters, led by Ryron and Rener Gracie per the academy's own pages (verified 2026-07-14)
A woman who wants a dedicated women's program with real weekly slots, entered through the same free trial
Why we say it: Women Empowered holds two weekly slots on the published table, covered by the same 10 day trial (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Pricing published Franchise networkFree trialStructured curriculumKids classesParking
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A 10 day risk free trial: unlimited beginner group classes for 10 consecutive days, plus a free introductory lesson bookable per session
- Class schedule
- Gracie Combatives, the beginner program, runs ten plus sessions a week across mornings, lunchtimes, and evenings; Women Empowered runs Thursday evening and Saturday morning; the advanced Master Cycle runs daily
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Gracie Combatives $180 per month (8 classes), Bullyproof and Women Empowered $180, Master Cycle $220, in US dollars
- Programs
- Gracie Bullyproof (ages 3-11) and Gracie Teens (12-15) run Tuesday through Saturday
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2440 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90501
- Instructors
- Ryron and Rener Gracie, grandsons of Helio Gracie, lead the academy per its own pages
- Parking
- Ample parking, per the academy's own page
- Front-desk hours (not class times)
- Facility open Mon-Fri 7 AM-8 PM, Sat 9 AM-2 PM
Inspirit Jiu Jitsu
Who this academy suits
A daytime trainer: Tue/Thu 7 AM and 12:15 PM ninety-minute all-levels classes, rare in the South Bay
Why we say it: The live timetable carries Tue/Thu 7 AM and 12:15 PM all-levels classes and Mon/Wed/Fri 9 AM blocks (verified 2026-07-14)
A true beginner: the beginners trial class is free and books online, and fundamentals run four evenings a week
Why we say it: The booking page lists the adults beginners trial as free, and fundamentals run Mon/Wed 6 PM and Tue/Thu 7 PM (verified 2026-07-14)
A family: three kids age bands daily, free kids trials, and adult classes in the same room
Why we say it: The timetable pairs daily kids bands with adult blocks, and kids trials are free on the booking page (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialDaytime classesKids classesWomen's program
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free adults beginner trial class books online Mon-Sat; the general adults trial costs $40; kids free trials also book online
- Class schedule
- Adult classes run Tue/Thu 7 AM and 12:15 PM, Mon-Thu 6 and 7 PM, with 9 AM comp training Mon/Wed/Fri, a Saturday 11:30 AM all-levels block, and Sunday open mat; kids classes run daily by age group
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids classes run daily in three age bands with Tue/Thu/Sat morning slots plus homeschool and competition tracks
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2729 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
- Instructors
- Head coach Rodrigo Freitas, presented on the school's own page as a 2007 black belt under Master Aldo Caveirinha Januario
Lansang Jiu-Jitsu Carson
Who this academy suits
A late-evening adult starter in Carson: classes start at 7:20 or 8:10 PM, and the trial begins with the head coach in person
Why we say it: The own site publishes four late-evening adult slots and a coach-led trial invitation (verified 2026-07-14)
Someone who wants a decorated active competitor as their first coach
Why we say it: The own about page lists Coach Paul's IBJJF and SJJIF titles and he teaches the adult classes (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Kids classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A trial session, arranged by visiting and speaking directly with head coach Paul
- Class schedule
- Adult classes run Mon/Thu 7:20-9:00 PM and Tue/Fri 8:10-9:15 PM; kids classes run weekdays with times shared on registration
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids classes run every weekday; exact times are shared on registration
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 860 E Carson St, Suite 108-109, Carson, CA 90745
- Instructors
- Coach Paul Lansang teaches; the school's own page lists three IBJJF Pan gi titles and an IBJJF No-Gi world title
Manhattan Beach Jiu Jitsu Club
Who this academy suits
Someone who wants direct Rickson-lineage instruction in a small club, with Tue/Thu morning and evening slots and a free trial
Why we say it: The own page presents the Rickson second-degree rank (attributed), Tue/Thu classes, and a free trial (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialEarly morning classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free trial class, arranged by email or phone
- Class schedule
- Group classes run Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30-8:30 AM and 6:30-7:45 PM, with private classes by arrangement
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- Classes meet at XTMA Studio, 135 Richmond Street, El Segundo, CA 90245
- Instructors
- Daniel Carettoni teaches; the club's own page presents him as a second-degree black belt under Rickson Gracie
Premier Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Who this academy suits
A price-first shopper: the full rate card is published tier by tier, rare in this market
Why we say it: The whole price sheet, $100-220 monthly across seven tiers, is published on the academy's own site with a full weekly schedule (verified 2026-07-14)
A true beginner on the Harbor City / Palos Verdes side: fundamentals classes marked no experience necessary, four times a week
Why we say it: The published schedule marks Fundamentals no experience necessary, four slots a week, with phone contact (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Pricing published Kids classesStructured curriculum
Your first visit
- Class schedule
- Fundamentals classes, marked no experience necessary, run Monday 6 and 7 PM plus Wednesday and Friday 7 PM; advanced gi and no-gi run weekdays; kids run Thursday to Saturday
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Adults $150 (8 classes), $180 (12), or $220 unlimited per month; kids from $120; ages 4-6 $100, in US dollars
- Programs
- Kids classes split 4-6 and 7-12, three days a week including Saturday
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 26640 S Western Ave, Suite J, Harbor City, CA 90710
Rodrigo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Who this academy suits
Someone who wants Gracie-family instruction in a small-academy setting, with a free trial arranged by contact
Why we say it: It is Rodrigo Gracie's own room (rank self-stated, printed attributed), with five-plus weekly adult slots and a free-trial funnel (verified 2026-07-14)
A parent with kids 3 to 14: three age bands, four weekday afternoons plus Saturday morning
Why we say it: The published schedule carries three kids bands Mon-Thu afternoons and Saturday morning (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trialKids classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free trial class, arranged by contacting the academy to schedule
- Class schedule
- Adult classes run Mon/Wed 6 PM and Sat noon, with Thursday 6 PM MMA and 6:45 no-gi; evening live training is invitational only; kids run in three age bands Mon-Thu afternoons and Saturday morning
Classes and cost
- Programs
- Kids classes run in three age bands, four weekday afternoons plus Saturday morning
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 2849 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505
- Instructors
- Rodrigo Gracie teaches; the school's own pages present him as a 7th degree coral belt
Torse House
Who this academy suits
An early riser or lunch-hour professional: 5:30 and 6 AM mats, 10:30 AM sparring, and noon classes five days a week
Why we say it: The published grid, effective 1/6/26, carries daily 6 AM classes, Mon-Fri late-morning sparring, and noon classes (verified 2026-07-14)
A no-experience beginner in El Segundo: a 2-day free trial by appointment and fundamentals four evenings a week
Why we say it: The own trial line gives no-experience students 2 free days by appointment, and fundamentals run Mon-Thu at 6 PM (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Pricing published Free trialKids classesEarly morning classes
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A 2-day free trial for El Segundo residents and no-experience beginners, by appointment only; no walk-in trials
- Class schedule
- Adult classes run weekdays at 6 AM, 10:30 AM sparring, noon, and 6 and 7 PM, with a Friday evening open mat and Saturday morning alternating gi and no-gi; kids train weekday afternoons and Saturday morning; the dress code is white or black gis only
Classes and cost
- Membership
- Adults unlimited $175 per month, kids $150, six-month discounts, $30 drop-in, in US dollars
- Programs
- Kids classes split 4-6 and 7 plus, weekdays and Saturday; the Wednesday no-gi class requires no experience or gi
- Programs
- Gi and no-gi classes are interleaved through the week
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 618 E Franklin St, El Segundo, CA 90245
- Instructors
- Thiago Rodrigues, presented on the school's own site as founder and black belt head instructor
XTMA Studio
Who this academy suits
Someone in walkable downtown El Segundo wanting a free-trial start with three weekday evenings plus Saturday jiu-jitsu
Why we say it: The studio is on downtown Richmond Street with four BJJ days on the published schedule and a site-wide free-trial funnel (verified 2026-07-14)
Schedule verified Free trial
Your first visit
- Free trial
- A free trial booked through the site; the exact terms appear during booking
- Class schedule
- Jiu-jitsu classes run Monday 7:30 PM (gi), Tue/Thu 6:30 PM, and Saturday 9 AM (gi) with a 10 AM open mat
Location, instructors, contact
- Address
- 135 Richmond Street, El Segundo, CA 90245
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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Alliance Jiu-Jitsu South Bay · Official site4415 Redondo Beach Blvd, Lawndale, CA 90260 · (323) 252-7566Last checked: 2026-07-14
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Beach Cities Jiu Jitsu · Official site25927 S Western Ave, Lomita, CA 90717 · (323) 536-3180 · Rinaldo Antonio, presented on the school's site as a third degree black beltLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Black House MMA Redondo Beach · Official site2416 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 · (310) 376-2953Last checked: 2026-07-14
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California Mixed Martial Arts (CMMA) · Official site1617 W Rosecrans Ave, Unit O, Gardena, CA 90249 · (310) 756-6501 · The first session is free, booked by phoneLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Gracie Barra Manhattan Beach · Official site2711 N Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 · (424) 423-9044 · A satisfaction guarantee (5 classes in 14 days, full refund) plus a founding-student enrollment with a complimentary gi and rash guardLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Gracie Barra Redondo Beach · Official site(424) 409-6755 · A trial experience plus the school's guarantee: attend at least 5 classes in 14 days and get a full refund if it is not for youLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Lima Taekwondo & Martial Arts Academy, Harbor City · Official site1219 Lomita Blvd, Ste 103, Harbor City, CA 90710 · (310) 530-0777Last checked: 2026-07-14
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Marcelo Cavalcanti Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (MCBJJ) · Official site441 E Carson St, Unit O, Carson, CA 90745 · (310) 722-4999 · Marcelo Cavalcanti teaches; the academy's own page presents him as a 4th degree black belt promoted by Rigan Machado in 2003 · A free trial class, booked by phone, email, or the site's contact pageLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Panza Jiu-Jitsu · Official site(310) 570-0812 · Luiz Panza teaches; an IBJJF No-Gi World Champion by competition record · The first class is free with no stated booking step; while the street address is being confirmed, call ahead for the right doorLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Pedro Soriano Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy · Official site235 N Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731 · (310) 519-1024 · Pedro Soriano leads the academy; his belt rank is not publishedLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Redondo Beach Brazilian JiuJitsu · Official site2503 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 · (310) 405-3913Last checked: 2026-07-14
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South Bay Jiu Jitsu · Official siteLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Systems Training Center · Official site13040 Hawthorne Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250 · (424) 269-1337 · A free trial class booked by form; the gym charges a published no-show fee for missed reservationsLast checked: 2026-07-14
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The Flow Institute San Pedro · Official site600 S Pacific Ave, Ste 101, San Pedro, CA 90731 · (424) 452-2713 · The first class is completely free, with no experience needed and no contractsLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Transform Jiu-Jitsu Academy · Official site5146 W 190th Street, Torrance, CA 90503 · (424) 360-2348 · Professor Alexandre Novaes, presented on the school's site as a 6th degree black belt · A free trial class booked through the site; no experience requiredLast checked: 2026-07-14
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Undisputed Fight Academy · Official site1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 · (424) 390-4442 · Professor Patrick Becker teaches the adult and kids BJJ classes and Coach Nancy Lopez, listed as a black belt, teaches the women-only class, per the gym's own booking portalLast checked: 2026-07-14
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.