Gracie Jiu Jitsu

Carlsbad, United States

4.8

Closed now

19 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 760-918-0566
Website:
www.graciecarlsbad.com
Address:
6108 Avenida Encinas Ste C, Carlsbad, CA, 92011
b/t La Costa Blvd & Palomar Airport Rd
Carlsbad
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.9 miCarlsbad Poinsettia
3.1 miCarlsbad
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Bussiness info

Good for Kids
Yes

Today

Today 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Carlsbad) 12:09 AM Friday, May 23, 2025

Business hours

Monday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Gracie Carlsbad is a direct affiliate of Gracie Humaita in Brazil. Founded by Grandmaster Helio Gracie, now led by Royler Gracie, and brought to Carlsbad by Black Belt Professor Nick Stefan. At Gracie Carlsbad, we empower our students with the necessary tools to achieve their goals, whether they be physical fitness, self-​defense, recreation, or competition. Our highly trained and professional Instructors seek to train the mind, body, and spirit by teaching the highest level of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In addition to BJJ, we also offer a wide variety of fitness classes (Faction Martial Arts) — including Muay Thai, Boxing, Women’s Kickboxing and Conditioning/​Circuit Training, and Kids’ Muay Thai. Whatever your fitness desires are, chances are we have something just for you (and the rest of the family too)! You will love training in our family friendly, positive environment where comradery, respect and teamwork are of utmost importance.

History

Established in 2009.

Gracie Carlsbad originated as Faction Martial Arts, where our main focus was teaching the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We have since greatly expanded our class options to include classes for the entire family. We recently became part of the Gracie family, the most notable name in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!

Meet the Business Owner

Nick and Staci S.

Business Owner

Nick Stefan started his training in 1995 at Rickson Gracie Academy in West LA. He recieved his Black Belt in 2006 from Rigan Machado. Nick has won numerous competition titles, including the Pan American and World titles. Nick and his wife Staci, along with their two young sons, opened their gym in 2009 and are honored to now be a part of the Gracie family.

Gracie Jiu Jitsu also recommends

Faction

3

reviews

Martial Arts

,

Boxing

Nick and Staci S. says,

«The best Muay Thai and MMA in North San Diego»

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19 reviews of Gracie Jiu Jitsu

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Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
Great Academy and instructors are fantastic. Nick and Charlie are both proven experts in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. They’re patient yet demanding on learning the proper techniques and they care deeply about each student. Nick is especially good at modifying techniques for physical limitations and the street vs. competition. The other students are also both welcoming and will help you get the details right. They also offer Muay Thai so you can learn the stand up side of the fight! Bottomline Gracie Jiu Jitsu in both Carlsbad and San Marcos is awesome!
Side note I have TBI and early onset parkinsons as a result and am 54 years old plus a damaged body and I do this. What’s your excuse???
Try Gracie Jiu Jitsu in Carlsbad or San Marcos!!!
Place rating: 1
San Diego, CA
Stopped by this place to check it out with my son and husband and waited about 5 minutes at the front desk and no one on staff (who saw us) acknowledged us, gave us a wave to say ‘wait a minute I am busy right now”, or came over to talk to us. So left and won’t be returning. Too bad since you have great reviews for what you teach!
Place rating: 5
San Marcos, CA
My wife and I have trained with Staci and Nick for 8 years. My 2 year old will be training there in a year. We wouldn’t go anywhere else. Great family environment with world class training and instruction.
Place rating: 5
Vista, CA
Ridiculously good! Great instructors that care, wonderful kids program, and real good women’s program! What more could you ask for!
Place rating: 5
Escondido, CA
I tried at least six other gyms before I found Gracie Carlsbad and knew this was the right place. Where I lived before my team was like my family, and we all took care of each other and trained hard on the mat, the cage, and in competition. My first day I was warmly welcomed by everyone there, and Nick Stefan has amazing technique that is not only easy to understand, but he is very patient and helpful to everyone to make sure you are doing it correctly and understand it. The other instructors like Charles, Staci, and Chong are all exceptional coaches and motivators. The team is awesome – good training partners and good people all around. There’s no egos or pride here, just good solid technique and good people. They have a great schedule of classes – morning, afternoon, evening, muay thai, womens strength and conditioning, and more. Best place by far that I’ve found in every way and once you go there, you’ll definitely want to sign up and come back. Plus they just opened up a new location in San Marcos and have GREAT signup deals right now.
Place rating: 5
Carlsbad, CA
I recently started training Brazilian jiu-​jitsu at the Gracie Carlsbad studio. I am 49 now and have been training in martial arts for over 30 years. I have blackbelts in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido. I highly recommend this school, it is the «real deal». Nick Stefan is a great instructor., a 3rd degree black belt. He explains things well, egoless, often with humor, and he teaches almost all of the classes. This approach carries thru with the students, and they have all been very open, supportive and helpful to me in my training. If you are looking to train in Brazilian jiu-​jitsu, this is simply one of the best schools.
Place rating: 5
Huntington Beach, CA
We have been coming here for almost two years and can’t imagine not being a part of this gym. Both my boys are enrolled in the Jiu Jitsu program and my 6 year old also practices kickboxing here as well. He absolutely loves both. Nick and Stacy Stefan and Charlie are all so incredible with the kids. They treat each child with individual attention and really make sure that everyone gets the training they need and are patient as well as push the kids to excel beyond their comfort zone. Nick and Charlie show a commitment to their students like you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you want your child to learn strength and discipline, or to build their confidence, or to fight competitively, or all of the above! Nick Stefan and his team of instructors treat their students like family and all the families that are a part of this gym look out for each other and treat each other like family too. Couldn’t be happier with our experience so far and plan on coming here for many years to come!
Place rating: 5
Oceanside, CA
I took my daughter to 3 different schools before choosing Gracie Carlsbad. I can say with no hesitation that Nick and Charlie were head and shoulders above the other trainers. My 8 year old is becoming more and more confident and she’s enjoying the exercise and the challenge. Incredibly happy to have chosen this school for her!
Place rating: 5
Oceanside, CA
If your searching for legit training, this is it. I started with the legendary Rickson Gracie and stopped when he moved to Brazil.
I started training again with another school locally but after much politics and procedures I was not satisfied so I stopped.
When the itch to train returned, I researched and found this place. I immediately felt comfortable with the gym and never looked back.
This is definitely a family oriented place, but don’t let that fool you. During competition season it’s on! That being said, the environment is very accommodating. No one is out to kill as in most mma places. 95% of the time it is Nick, the owner and black belt, who teaches and supervises the classes.
Great for kids and adults to get their training in a nice clean setting with an ocean view.
Place rating: 5
Sacramento, CA
This place is awesome. The instructors are great. Everyone is very humble. I only wish I was able to go more often. I recommend this place to all my friends.
Place rating: 5
Granada Hills, Los Angeles, CA
Had the opportunity to drive down (2-​hours) for an Open Mat. So impressed! Was met by an owner immediately upon entering and shown about. VERY clean, large mat, MMA gear, foam rollers, kettles, changing room (with shower), large restroom, excellent staffing, and FRIENDLY folk of all ages. If you’re in the area and looking for a place to learn in a great environment, this is the place. If you get a chance to check out an Open Mat, it’s worth the travel.
Place rating: 5
Vista, CA
I walked into Gracie Humaita Carlsbad a little over a month ago and it was the smartest thing I did that month and hopefully one of the smartest life choices I have made as well. Nick is an awesome instructor and everyone there is always willing to help and give me pointers. All in all if 6 stars was available it would be getting that but til than 5 will do. Seriously, if you haven’t done so, walk in and give it a try, you owe it to yourself.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
This is the place to train in this area. Nick is a cool dude and offers top notch BJJ instruction. You’ll have a variety of training partners of all skill levels and they do a good job of instilling a sense of team and family in everything they do.
They also have a killer little ninjas program for the kids. I highly recommend this place for all your Cbad/​Oceanside/​Encinitas BJJ/​MMA needs. Visit their website for their schedule and I think they offer 30 days for free, so there’s really no reason not to give it a shot if you’re even a little bit interested in training.
Place rating: 5
Cambridge, MA
I came in from Out of town to visit my Mom. I traind before at Gracie Del Mar and had an awesome experience so I wanted to check out the gym in Carlsbad. When I arrived, Nick (the head BJJ coach) was outside playing with his kids. He greeted me and welcomed me to his gym.
The class: The warm up before class was about 15 minutes long and was an enjoyable challenge. For the next 30 minutes we drilled technique. As other reviewers have me tied, Nick has a great eye for details and is able to verbalize them in a way that anyone can understandl. We then did 15 minutes of positional sparring, and then 30 minutes of live sparring.
The people: to me this gym had the perfect balance of a laid back environment where people could laugh and crack jokes while staying focused on learning. All of the students were friendly and seemed very happy to be there. Sparring was great because no one tried to smash me or prove that they were better than me. Rolling at this gym really did seem to be about learning and improving your game instead of proving yourself. The students were skilled and I had the pleasure of rolling with Nick who kicked my @$$ in the nicest way possible. The sparring was safe and conducive to learning and expanding ones game.
Overall: this is an awesome gym. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to have a good time while receiving top shelf instruction.
Oss.
Place rating: 5
Carlsbad, CA
I am a middle aged professional and I tried several of the gyms that offer either boxing or Jiu Jitsu. They were okay, a little limited and very expensive. I saw
and decided to drive over and check the place out. Nick, the owner and black belt instructor spent some time telling me how he ran his gym and I was interested. After trying it for a day I signed up and have been very impressed with each passing week. Great instructors, very approachable and very knowledgable. The tone in this gym is relaxed and helpful with everyone helping each other to learn. However, to me, the idea that I can learn Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and boxing at one club during hours that fit a busy professional is remarkable. This gym is solid value for the money and you can come in here and feel welcome. A pleasure to find a quality experience in a North County Gym with no hard core sales techniques or ridiculous contract requirements. I would recommend it.
Place rating: 5
Carlsbad, CA
Nick is wonderful coaching, my son is only 11 yrs old cannot make the early classes from the start, did not know how it was going to work given the fact that he was practicing with adults there is another 16 year old, and ended up being the best choice made for him, it helps his sense of security self steam aside from the fact that he has improve a lot as well .I will recomend them highly. everyone cares about each ether progress geinuenly
Place rating: 5
Carlsbad, CA
The best MMA/​Jiu-​Jitsu gym in all of North County San Diego! I don’t say that lightly. I’ve tried others and none compare to what Nick & Staci Stefan, along with their other instructors, have done for me. Their classes are intense, and fun, and the environment is that of a tight-​knit family. Nick’s passion for the arts truly comes out in his teachings of adult and kids classes alike. This gym is an absolute gem! Whether you’re a veteran or a ‘newbie’ Gracie Carlsbad/​Faction MMA is the place to be!
Place rating: 5
Aliso Viejo, CA
If you have never done Brazillian Jiu-​Jitsu or Muay Thai then this is the place. If you have years of experience this is still the place. Nick Stefan treats beginners and veterans alike. It is rare to find somebody with a passion and love for teaching along with people skills. Nick has both along with the ability to teach both Children and Adults. The Muay Thai instructor Andy Scott is funny, charming and teaches a technical style of stand up that all can appreciate. If you are afraid or intimidated of meathead style grappling and attitudes… you will not find it at this gym. The students are respectful and make you feel welcome right from the get go. If you are looking for the real deal then this is it. I love this gym and you will to.
Place rating: 5
Carlsbad, CA
As student of Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu and submission grappling since 2003 I’ve had the opportunity to work with many great instructors. I’ve been with Nick Stefan since 2007 for the simple reason that he is the best instructor I’ve ever had. The one thing that sticks out in my mind is that Nick has the ability to teach the subtle nuances of BJJ technique that make a world of difference when executing a technique. It’s these small but powerful details that determine success or failure of a technique when training live (sparing) and MOST IMPORTANTLY IN ANY REAL WORLD SELF-​DEFENSE SITUATION.
Another HUGE plus is Gracie Carlsbad is a Gracie Humaitá affiliate school which of course was founded by Grandmaster Helio Gracie and son Royler Gracie. So it would be an understatement to say that this school is well respected in the Jiu-​Jitsu community. I mean this is where it all started right?
Bottom line… if you’re looking for Brazilian Jiu-​jitsu, submission grappling, MMA, Muay Thai kick boxing, kids classes, women’s classes, self-​defense, or just want to get fit and have fun GRACIE CARLSBAD IS THE PLACE!