Cave Academy

An absolutely awesome jiujitsu academy in the heart of Pacifica. Coach Mike and Ben are not only experienced in the many technical intricacies in jiujitsu, they're very thoughtful of every facet of a jiujitsu gym: from an abundance of amenities for a bay area gym including ample parking, showers, sauna, and water fountains to direct feedback instruction on gym etiquette this gym has thought of EVERYTHING. Don't believe me? Check out one of their Friday night open mats, one of the coolest I've ever been to!

The best place in the Bay Area for modern, effective martial arts. Police and military train here. It has a great kids program too. Tight community and friendly vibe.

I was dropping in from out of town, and had a great experience. The people were welcoming and friendly. Went to the all levels gi class. We learned a simple and very effective version of the toreando pass, which I was able to immediately apply in rolling. No one was spazzy, even the white belts were going for a technical roll, which I really appreciated. They had a clean changing room with showers and towels. I highly recommend dropping in for anyone visiting in the area.

I joined The Cave 2 months ago and couldn't be happier about my decision. I love training here. I had trained jiu jitsu for 6 years at another academy but recently left it due to personal reasons. Choosing a new "home" was a big decision for me. Each person has their own personal criteria for what makes a school the right fit for them. Here's why I decided on the Cave: - Has an excellent nogi curriculum. 7pm Mon-Fri at the Cave is in both nogi and gi. Coach Mike teaches a lot from the Danaher system, which I have been dying to learn. Mike is what you'd call a true "student of the game"...he's constantly studying techniques and is open and willing to adapt if he believes he's found a better way. - Supports competitors. As an active competitor, I've seen Mike at competitions I've watched how Mike coaches his students in competition. I appreciate his calm and direct demeanor. No screaming at his students like a madman (that may work for some students, but it's not really for me). He puts a lot of care into helping his competitors get ready. - Genuinely nice people. No bro/macho vibes. Everyone was always kind and genuinely nice to me when I visited. People came up to me and introduced themselves to me when they saw I was a new face. I really appreciated the warm vibes. It's in Pacifica, which sounds far but it's actually not that bad. Does require a car to get there but good news is there's always parking. Whether you decide this gym is the right one for you or not, I think it's definitely worth checking out. I'm happy to answer any questions about it if anyone has any!

Cave Academy has been a truly transformative experience for my son. He has severe ADHD, which makes it very difficult for him to focus and control his impulses. Despite these challenges, he absolutely loves coming to class. He’s incredibly motivated to earn his stripe and works hard every session to improve himself. What makes this academy so special is the way the instructors treat every child with respect, understanding their differences while still holding them to the same standards as everyone else. My son deeply respects Sensei Mike, and even on days when he struggles, he can’t wait to go to class—it’s the highlight of his day! It’s clear that the academy is not just about teaching Jiu-Jitsu techniques but also about helping children develop perseverance, respect, and confidence. I’ve already seen these qualities starting to take root in my son, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the positive impact this has had on him. I highly recommend Cave Academy to anyone looking for a martial arts program for their child. It’s such a special place, and I feel lucky to have found it.