Santa Cruz's Premier Jiu-Jitsu Martial Arts SCHOOL

Find out why so many people in Santa Cruz turn to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz for their martial arts training! We offer beginner-to-advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for men, women, and children. No experience necessary! Get started with our exclusive BJJ online offer.

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Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Little Champs Kids Martial Arts (Ages 5-7)
in Santa Cruz

Discover why parents love our Kids Martial Arts Classes in Santa Cruz! Our Gracie Bullyproof® Little Champs program infuses kids with powerful self-defense skills as well as respect, discipline, and focus to help them in school and life.
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Jr. Grapplers Kids Martial Arts (Ages 8-12)
in Santa Cruz

Gracie Bullyproof® Jr. Grapplers builds unshakable confidence, so that your child can overcome bullying without violence. Parents love our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program in Santa Cruz because it's the perfect blend of self-defense and character development.
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Adult Martial Arts Co-Ed Classes
in Santa Cruz

The world's leading Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program for beginners. We offer martial arts classes that are structured and provide a safe learning opportunity for students with no previous experience. Learn the 36 core techniques of BJJ in a fun and cooperative environment.
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Women's BJJ Beginner Classes
in Santa Cruz

So much more than a women's self-defense class! Not only will you learn how to use Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to defend against the most common threat scenarios, you will also experience empowerment, fun, and fitness in a safe and supportive environment!
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Advanced BJJ Classes for Adults
in Santa Cruz

From blue belt to black belt, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu consists of hundreds of advanced techniques organized into a clearly defined, systematic curriculum called the Master Cycle®. You'll never experience adult martial arts classes that are as structured, safe, and effective as what you'll find in the Master Cycle.
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Birthday Parties
in Santa Cruz

Stop trying to reinvent the wheel, Birthday parties should be fun, not a ton of work! Enjoy watching your kids have fun!
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Summer Camp
in Santa Cruz

This summer, give your child an experience they won't forget.Martial arts changes lives.

why CHOOSE Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz?

At Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz, we believe Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is for EVERYONE, regardless of age, gender, athleticism, or ability. We are proud to say that we are continuing the legacy of Grandmaster Hélio Gracie, who believed jiu-jitsu should empower the weak to be able to defend against the strong. This is why we offer structured martial arts curriculums specific to the self-defense needs for any demographic or skill level, with programs created for beginner adults, women, and children.

We take pride in creating a safe, comfortable, and welcoming learning environment for all students and family members in Santa Cruz. We are passionate about what we do because we believe confident humans make kinder humans.

"What an incredible place to learn Gracie Jiu-jitsu. Fun safe and friendly environment run by incredible instructors."

"Thanks for having me all the way from North Vancouver! Great people and great instruction."

"Steve will help you develop the technique and reflexes against bigger and & stronger attackers.

"My kids learned so much more than jiu-jitsu. Respect, character building, conflict resolution and so much more are all part of the program."

"Welcoming and wonderful. My daughter has done really well with the Bullyproof kids program. The teacher is positive and fun."

About our Martial Arts programs

Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Little Champs Kids BJJ (Ages 5-7)
in Santa Cruz

Gracie Bullyproof® Little Champs kids jiu-jitsu program teaches your child how to stand up for themselves through play. Our kids martial arts program in Santa Cruz encourages kids to be their best selves with character development and self-defense! Try it for free and find out why so many families love and trust Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz.
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Jr. Grapplers Kids BJJ (Ages 8-12)
in Santa Cruz

Our kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes in Santa Cruz are the perfect blend of self defense and FUN! Our Gracie Bullyproof® Jr. Grapplers Instructors will teach your child how to protect themselves while they learn coordination, focus, discipline, confidence, and perseverance.
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Adult BJJ Beginner Classes
in Santa Cruz

The two most common goals of our students are Fitness and Self-Defense, and Gracie Combatives® delivers both! It's time to change up your workout with our Adult Martial Arts Classes in Santa Cruz and get the results you've been looking for.
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Women's Martial Arts Beginner Classes
in Santa Cruz

Is it possible to get exercise, learn to defend yourself, have fun, and connect with other empowered women? It is, with Women Empowered®! Achieve your fitness goals PLUS learn to protect yourself with real-world self-defense in our Women's Braziian Jiu-JItsu (BJJ) classes in Santa Cruz.
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Advanced BJJ for Adults
in Santa Cruz

Welcome to the Master Cycle®, your journey from blue to black belt with the system created by the legendary Gracie family. Our Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes are how you go from great to excellent, in a safe environment, with a structured curriculum. BJJ is not just a sport, it's a lifestyle!
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Birthday Parties
in Santa Cruz

When we say we have the best birthday parties in Santa Cruz, we mean it. Give your child the perfect party, while you enjoy a stress free day. Your child will thank you later, we guarantee it!
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz
Jiu Jitsu Classes | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Summer Camp
in Santa Cruz

Discover why parents in Santa Cruz love our Kids Martial Arts Summer Camps. Give your child an experience they won't forget. Martial arts changes lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most frequent questions and answers about our Martial Arts Programs

Through our work, we have seen that confident kids make kinder kids. We teach children how to not only stand up to bullies for themselves, but how to stand up for others. Our Rules of Engagement teach children to avoid the fight if at all possible by first using their words, and then telling an adult.

When they do need to resort to physical self-defense, we do not teach children punches or kicks in the Gracie Bullyproof program, but rather, empowered by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, to neutralize, defend, control, and negotiate if possible. Kids martial arts classes for a better, kinder world.

We encourage parents to watch their children in their kids martial arts lessons. We love parents getting involved! Even better… you can join in our martial arts classes for adults, and have yet another thing in common with your little one. We love seeing the bond of families who train together!

There are zero fitness requirements to be able to start our beginner Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes! One of the benefits of BJJ is that it relies on technique and timing rather than strength, speed, or athleticism.

Our students start at all different fitness levels, however, you will find that you do enhance your fitness by doing our Santa Cruz BJJ classes. Isn’t that the point though? A fun workout that gets results!

Many parents ask, what’s the difference between Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Karate classes? While we believe all martial-arts have value, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has not only been proven to be the most effective martial art for a smaller person to defend themselves in a real fight for nearly a century, it also can be the most gentle.

We don’t want our kids or students turning into bullies themselves, and we also believe self-defense should be scalable, depending on the situation. Whereas kids Karate lessons or Taekwondo classes rely solely on landing punches and kicks, jiu-jitsu for kids focuses on neutralizing a threat with verbal boundaries, distance management, body control, and eventual negotiation.

We only have a certain amount of space in our martial arts training area. To take advantage of our limited time offer, the fastest way is to fill in the form at the top of this page!

Additionally, you can always give us a call. We would love to chat with you about what we do, and to help you determine if our Santa Cruz martial arts classes would be a great fit for you and your family!

Upon arriving for your first jiu-jitsu class, we will provide a uniform, called a gi, for you to wear. We recommend comfortable undergarments or leggings, and a t-shirt or rashguard that you can wear under your gi. We will also have training attire available for purchase after your class.

Be sure to bring a water bottle to your martial arts classes, as you will be working up a sweat!

Not at all. In fact, many students starting in our adult martial arts classes felt the exact same way.  There is absolutely no experience necessary for any of our beginner classes, and there is no sparring amongst beginners, so you’re going to be safe and have a great time! 

Give yourself some time, and you will be astounded at what your body is capable of, and how much you can improve! Our certified martial arts instructors are trained to keep their teaching simple, effective, and beginner-focused. So even the most uncoordinated person will develop ‘ninja-like’ skills! Come see for yourself!

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz

We’re located at
1345 Capitola Road 
Stop by and say hello!