Carlos Sapao Jiu Jitsu Self Defense

San Francisco, United States

4.9

Closed now

17 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 415-379-4045
Website:
www.CSJiuJitsu.com
Address:
710 La Playa, San Francisco, CA, 94121
b/t Balboa St & Cabrillo St
Outer Richmond
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
1 miJudah / La Playa / Ocean Beach
1 miJudah & 46th Ave‎
1 miJudah & 43rd Ave‎
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Bike Parking
No
Good for Kids
Yes
By Appointment Only
No

Today

Today 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (San Francisco) 9:06 PM Saturday, June 28, 2025

Business hours

Monday 10:00 am – 11:30 am
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Tuesday 7:00 am – 8:30 am
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 11:30 am
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Thursday 7:00 am – 8:30 am
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 11:30 am
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

We are a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu studio located in the famous Ocean Beach San Francisco. Our head instructor Carlos Sapao is a third degree black belt that has been practicing the art of Jiu Jitsu for 27 years. He received his black belt from the famous Ralph Gracie at the young age of 21 years old. We hold classes in traditional Gi/​Kimono but once a week we also have a «No-​Gi» Street Self Defense class!

History

Established in 2015.

This business started in 2014 to become the headquarters of Carlos Sapao Jiu Jitsu Self Defense. We are business aimed to go back to the roots of Jiu Jitsu and teach people how to defend themselves as well as compete in sports Jiu Jitsu. Currently we have two sister academies in Baton Rouge, LA and Oahu, HI. We are proud to be the headquarters of Carlos Sapao Jiu Jitsu Self Defense and hope to see you here!

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17 reviews of Carlos Sapao Jiu Jitsu Self Defense

No registration required
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
At 43 I’ve been taught a lot of things by a lot of people, Carlos is one of the absolute best teachers I’ve worked with. He is patient, honest and works the same with someone who is attending their first lesson or potential black belts. Along with the jiu jitsu classes for all ages and levels he also often does free self defence lessons for women and trains the SFPD. As I left the gym the other morning Carlos gave me a hug, wished me me a great day and thanked me for starting my day on the mat. Would not hesitate to recommend this spot to kids, women, first timers or hardcore rollers…
Place rating: 5
Lake Forest, IL
I just return from a weekend trip to San Francisco. One of the highlights of the trip was walking into Carlos Sapao Jiu-​Jitsu Academy. The only time I had available was the Friday Open Mat class at 10:00 am.
I was greeted by Alicia. She was very welcoming and informative. The open mat experience here was great. The warm up was at your pace. We paired up and rolled 5×5 min rounds. Everyone was playing their game and enjoying each other company. It was a great time.
We all sat around after class and talked to get to know each other– which was totally awesome time!
When I get back to San Fran, I’m defiantly going to stop by a try another class.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Carlos is great, this gym is great. Looking forward to learning and growing here.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
I’ve been training here for over 2 years now, and I think this gym doesn’t get enough reviews because we simply forget the fact that it’s a business. Training here — learning from the attentive instructors, passionate and helpful partners, and the occasional dog visitors we get — made me really feel like we’re a family. Carlos and his carefully picked instructors are very knowledgeable and caring. Not only do they value and preserve the essence of bjj, they create a warm atmosphere at the dojo for all of us to grow and develop our jiu jitsu.
As a bjj practitioner, I really appreciate Carlos’ constant emphasis on techniques, details, to real life self defense.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Great place for both kids and adults. The instructors are AMAZING and really care about you as individuals. I highly recommend this establishment. Not only is it a great exercise, but it’s fun!
Place rating: 5
Sonoma, CA
I have spent 3 ½ years attending classes at this gym. Carlos and Matt run a quality, traditional Brazilian jujitsu dojo. The focus is on personal development and growth through martial arts. Many members of the gym compete but it is not a requirement or an emphasis of training. Camaraderie, respect, and friendship have been automatic benefits of spending time with this group of martial arts practitioners. Supervision of sparring is good, and appropriate for skill level. Fitness is a given, and being over 40, I really appreciate the routine attention given to proper warmup, stretching, and body mechanics and injury prevention. The gym is clean and well-​maintained, attendance is consistent, and the quality of teaching is high on a regular basis. Even the occasional visiting instructor is a black belt with high caliber teaching credentials. I have visited other gyms where a purple belt or brown belt is teaching the class and although those were good experiences, they were not in the same category of quality of teaching as is routinely experienced at Barra Brothers Ocean Beach. This group has made a permanent change for the positive in my life, and I am proud to represent.
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
Carlos is first class in knowledge and ability. Great program for kids and the kids really look up to Carlos and Matt.
Place rating: 5
South San Francisco, CA
I’ve been training here now over 3 months and what can I say? It’s a great place to train, they have morning and evening classes pretty much every day, and I’m female less than 100lbs but the guys here are all great training partners and there are girls that train here consistently as well. I am a white belt so I have a lot to learn but Carlos Sapao and Matt are both black belts both also amazing instructors. It’s hard to find other girls to train with in this sport but both girls and guys here are welcoming and helpful to the new people and it’s a great family here, plus your right by the beach! What more can you as for?
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Whatever your goals are, Carlos Sapao Jiu Jitsu Self Defense will help you reach them. If you want to train for competition, Carlos is a third degree black belt and world class competitor. If you want to learn self defense, the academy has one of the best programs around. In fact, self defense is a huge emphasis of the curriculum. If you want to learn no-​gi, there’s a class Thursday night dedicated to no-​gi and street defense. If you want to get in shape, jiu-​jitsu is one of the best workout you’ll get; and you’ll end up learning a valuable skill. Plus, a positive and welcoming atmosphere with many awesome trainer partners. I’ve been a student at the academy for two years and can’t say enough good things about it.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Carlos Sapao and the family at Ocean Beach Barra Brothers have changed my life for the better physically, mentally, and emotionally. The Jiu-​Jitsu instruction is top-​notch, and the atmosphere is very welcoming and non-​judgmental. Sapao is a world-​class instructor who is connected with top BJJ practitioners all over the world. I have traveled and trained all over the U.S. and in Brazil, and Sapao’s introductions have always led to amazing welcomes everywhere I go. Renan and Matt are also great BJJ players and instructors. If you are starting BJJ, you owe it to yourself to drop by OBBBA for a class or two… you will not regret it.
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
School is clean, instructors good. Not many females, so I think the guys are only okay dealing with us small things. $ 35 drop in fee is pretty steep considering the industry standard is a free first class. I was left with a slightly bad feel since the guy had told me to stop by and check out a class free, then granted a long time later when I made it there, their policy had changed and he was apologetic but charged me for the first class. I would probably otherwise have gone back to train there once in a while at least.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Great place, pure and simple.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
My son attends 3 times a week for jiu jitsu. I am VERY pleased with the patience of the instructors. Matt has extreme ADHD and they are very kind but firm in their redirects with him. It is such a pleasure to have him excited to work out! 5 Stars they are the best!!!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
What a day. There was a good feeling when I first came here to try out. The head instructor Carlos is first of all a real person you can connect with. He’a really clam and awesome teacher. He actually took the time to connect with me while instructing his entire class. The attention to details with the other factor of him saying to have fun made a big deal for me. I do have a little knowledge & experience from other BJJ spots in the Bay Area, but I think I’ll be here to really improve. I believe OBBBA is a great place to start BJJ!
Place rating: 5
Whistler, Canada
Brasilian bootcamp is a great full body workout for both men and women. The instructors are really supportive and fun. They provide different exercises everyday, so coming to class never feels like a boring routine. The hour flies by fast with the help of some great beats over the speakers, and before you know it, you’re feelin sore from all the work put in. The facility is clean, the neighborhood is safe and your first class is free :)
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
I am not a big fan of writing reviews on Unilocal but in this case I had to make an exception. I have been training with Carlos Sapao for several months now and I am always amazed at his level of dedication he brings to every session. My favorite part about going to Barra Brothers is the opportunity to learn directly from Carlos on a daily basis. The classes are small and intimate thereby allowing me to receive much more individual attention than I would at other gyms. I have had a fantastic experience training at Barra Brothers and I am sure you will to.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Wow, I’ve trained in different martial arts my whole life, but having a world class Ralph Gracie Black Belt in Master Carlos «Sapao» training in your backyard is as good as it gets! «Sapao» began at Gracie Barra in Rio at age 6, and received his black belt from legendary Ralph Gracie by age 21. His partner Matt is a purple belt and local surfing ace. Great guys!
The gym is brand new, super clean, nice recovery (haha) area for after the intense workouts, free weights, flat screen, free purified water, and easy/​free parking. His teaching style is tailored to each individual and he pushes you to improve. Not only does Carlos share his mastery and intricate knowledge of this incredible «art», but also his philosophy and belief in the jiu jitsu lifestyle, living and training the Barra Brothers way. All ages, a lot of kids, men and women. I can say in a few months, I’ve lost 15lbs, feel stronger and in better shape than I have in years, and learned a lot too. If you ever wanted to learn Brazilian jiu jitsu, and/​or get an awesome workout for a great price right on (across) the beach Rio style, this is the place!