Gracie South Bay Jiu Jitsu
“Coaches are high level who build a safe, fun, and respectful training environment.”
Best Self-Defense Classes near National City, CA
2 of these schools are based in National City; the others serve National City from San Diego (12 mi), Chula Vista (6 mi) and La Mesa (9 mi).
14 open weekends · all 15 rated 4.5+
Data verified October 16, 2026
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Casa Del Sol
City Boxing
“The trainers are excellent; the equipment is efficient for conditioning and the location is great for those who live in the Downtown area of San Diego.”
10th Planet San Diego Jiu Jitsu and Training Center
“Definitely the spot to check out if you're in town and where I'd train if I was living in San Diego!”
Atos Jiu Jitsu HQ
“World-class instruction led by Multiple ADCC champion and world champion Andre Galvao and joined by many other world champion instructors, many high level belts on the mat at each training session.”
THE Arena
“Great clean environment and with a great gym and equipment.”
Short self-defense courses listed for National City, CA are spread across the 15 cards on this page. Who each course is aimed at, where it runs and how often it repeats comes from the school itself, with ratings drawn from public reviews.
Area overview: National City, CA
The 15 schools on this page are rated from 4.6 to 5.0 across 3,180 reviews; 14 have 50 or more reviews. The topics that come up most in reviews of the schools on this page are "atmosphere", "skills" and "community". 14 are open on Saturdays and 5 on Sundays. 3 have a BBB rating of A or A+. 13 have ten or more years of experience, the longest 74 years. 3 list coupons or special offers. We have a website on file for all 15 of the schools on this page; all 15 publish a contact page; 11 list a public email and 8 take bookings online. We count these figures across the schools on this page; distances are straight-line, and hours and prices change, so confirm the details with the school before you enroll.
Do the schools on this page travel out to National City?
Many do. 2 of the 15 listed here sit in National City and the others are within 15 mi, which matters less in this category because the instructor usually comes to your room. Ask about travel before you rule out a school on the address alone.
Impact Krav Maga Self-Defense
“The classes are easy to follow and build on from beginner all the way up to advanced level.”
99 Jiu-Jitsu HQ
“I travel around for work and have visited a lot of gyms around the world and this is one of the best that I have been to.”
Clark Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy
“If you want to be the best and learn from the best this is where you need to be.”
CCW USA Firearms Training
“My shooting greatly improved as a result of the required reading/viewing prior to range day and their hands-on personal coaching on the range.”
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Odyssey Training Center San Diego
“He's been really accommodating of my work schedule and makes sure to provide me with whatever I need to continue my workout routine, whether that is weeks I can't make it to train, or opening up the gym for me on the days we don't meet.”
Jiu Jitsu Foundation
“An excellent place for kids to learn jiu jitsu as well as discipline, respect and how to work hard.”
Victory MMA & Fitness
“This is a solid place to train and may be best for dedicated people”
Alliance Jiu Jitsu Chula Vista
“I was pushed to my max and the respect for each other and the vibe is amazing.”
Freestyle Martial Arts
“My Son Loves it there he has attending the Dojo for 5 years.”
Why these companies made our list
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