Gracie Barra Encinitas Kids Martial Arts Program
613 Westlake Street, #222, Encinitas, CA 92024
About
Gracie Barra Encinitas Kids Martial Arts Program introduces children to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through its Kids Martial Arts and “Future Champions” programs. Kids practice Jiu-Jitsu in a structured curriculum that has been tested and refined for decades as part of the global Gracie Barra legacy founded by Master Carlos Gracie Jr.
• Ages: 5–17 years old
• Schedule: Class options are available Monday through Sunday, with morning, midday, and evening times.
The program is part of Gracie Barra Encinitas, which offers world-class level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction for children and adults in a clean, friendly, safe, modern, bright, and well-maintained academy with mats that are cleaned daily. The academy is locally owned and describes itself as a premier destination for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the largest provider of self-defense and core-value education in Encinitas and the greater San Diego area. Its mission statement is, “We want to do for others, what Jiu Jitsu has done for us.”
Gracie Barra Encinitas was founded in 2005 and is described as the first ever Jiu Jitsu school in San Diego. The founders, Master Nelson Monteiro (7th Degree Black Belt) and Prof. Rafael Ramos (5th Degree Black Belt), both earned their black belts under Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and have over 40 championship tournament wins between them, including World Masters Championships. Their imprint on the Jiu-Jitsu community includes establishment of the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club), described as the most prestigious Jiu-Jitsu tournament in the world today. The leadership team listed for the academy includes Nelson Monteiro, Rafael Ramos, Steve Gable, Matt Smith, Kaio Cesar, and Dave Dayan, and its professors are highly certified BJJ practitioners with years of experience on the mats.
Gracie Barra Encinitas serves the communities of Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, Cardiff, and La Costa, and is described as being part of Encinitas, not just in Encinitas. One parent, Lise Nicholson, shared that her 7- and 5-year-old sons have been training Jiu-Jitsu there for two years and “absolutely love it,” and she describes it as a great family environment where instructors teach kids from being strong to respecting each other. Another member, Joscelin Magana, described it as a great club with a warm and friendly culture, world-class instructors, and said they have been a member for 8 years and still look forward to training every week. A third member, George Richards, said he joined about 4 years ago to stay in shape and learn self-defense skills and called it one of the best lifestyle decisions he has made, noting that when his family looks for a new house, his main criteria is to be within a 15-minute drive of Gracie Barra Encinitas.
Last updated July 8, 2026.
• Ages: 5–17 years old
• Schedule: Class options are available Monday through Sunday, with morning, midday, and evening times.
The program is part of Gracie Barra Encinitas, which offers world-class level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction for children and adults in a clean, friendly, safe, modern, bright, and well-maintained academy with mats that are cleaned daily. The academy is locally owned and describes itself as a premier destination for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the largest provider of self-defense and core-value education in Encinitas and the greater San Diego area. Its mission statement is, “We want to do for others, what Jiu Jitsu has done for us.”
Gracie Barra Encinitas was founded in 2005 and is described as the first ever Jiu Jitsu school in San Diego. The founders, Master Nelson Monteiro (7th Degree Black Belt) and Prof. Rafael Ramos (5th Degree Black Belt), both earned their black belts under Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and have over 40 championship tournament wins between them, including World Masters Championships. Their imprint on the Jiu-Jitsu community includes establishment of the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club), described as the most prestigious Jiu-Jitsu tournament in the world today. The leadership team listed for the academy includes Nelson Monteiro, Rafael Ramos, Steve Gable, Matt Smith, Kaio Cesar, and Dave Dayan, and its professors are highly certified BJJ practitioners with years of experience on the mats.
Gracie Barra Encinitas serves the communities of Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, Cardiff, and La Costa, and is described as being part of Encinitas, not just in Encinitas. One parent, Lise Nicholson, shared that her 7- and 5-year-old sons have been training Jiu-Jitsu there for two years and “absolutely love it,” and she describes it as a great family environment where instructors teach kids from being strong to respecting each other. Another member, Joscelin Magana, described it as a great club with a warm and friendly culture, world-class instructors, and said they have been a member for 8 years and still look forward to training every week. A third member, George Richards, said he joined about 4 years ago to stay in shape and learn self-defense skills and called it one of the best lifestyle decisions he has made, noting that when his family looks for a new house, his main criteria is to be within a 15-minute drive of Gracie Barra Encinitas.
Last updated July 8, 2026.
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