HomeCaliforniaLa Mesa › American Kenpo Karate, Kick Boxing & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

American Kenpo Karate, Kick Boxing & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

4.6 ★★★★★ 21 Google reviews · Karate dojo in La Mesa, California

Part of Kenpo / Kempo Karate

Karate dojo Affiliated Kids & teens

Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized Karate style organization or franchise (think Shotokan/JKA, Kyokushin, Goju-Ryu, Isshinryu, Tiger Schulmann's or Villari's). If lineage matters to you, ask which style and organization the dojo belongs to, and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule mmakenpokarate.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 619-283-6596

Hours

Monday 10:30 am–8 pm
Tuesday 10:30 am–8 pm
Wednesday 10:30 am–8 pm
Thursday 10:30 am–8 pm
Friday 10:30 am–8 pm
Saturday 10 am–3 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at American Kenpo Karate, Kick Boxing & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 2 mentions

“Street thugs tormenting you and your children as you walk to church?”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“Have trained here since 1986 and could not ask for a better place in which to learn self defense, get fit, and make friends for life.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at American Kenpo Karate, Kick Boxing & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🦵 Taekwondo

“And with just three months of Kenpo kickboxing training here, I was able to defend myself and win a fight against an expert in taekwondo.”

Other dojos that also teach taekwondo →

🥋 Jiu-Jitsu

“They are forever reinventing themselves with BJJ now on offer.”

Other dojos that also teach jiu-jitsu →

🥊 Kickboxing 2 mentions

“And with just three months of Kenpo kickboxing training here, I was able to defend myself and win a fight against an expert in taekwondo.”

Other dojos that also teach kickboxing →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“Have trained here since 1986 and could not ask for a better place in which to learn self defense, get fit, and make friends for life.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 21 Google reviews — in their own words.

friendly, respectful dojo 3 mentions

“Yet humble and friendly they are, and so glad to help you in your martial arts journey.”

traditional style & affiliation 4 mentions

“You truly can’t go wrong with American Kenpo Karate & Kickboxing in La Mesa.”

From the reviews

Have trained here since 1986 and could not ask for a better place in which to learn self defense, get fit, and make friends for life. The number of legends who came out of this club is in the dozens. Yet humble and friendly they are, and so glad to help you in your martial arts journey.

★★★★★ — Matt, Apr 2018

I had two years of Kempo training before I came to this place. And with just three months of Kenpo kickboxing training here, I was able to defend myself and win a fight against an expert in taekwondo. Now I've come back to learn more, and it's situational defense too.

★★★★★ — Bubba, Jun 2018

Are you being chased by the Mafia or the Yakuza? Street thugs tormenting you and your children as you walk to church? Well then, you must be considering self defense lessons of some kind. You truly can’t go wrong with American Kenpo Karate & Kickboxing in La Mesa.

★★★★★ — Greg, Mar 2023

This is a great place to start your martial arts journey Todd really taught me a lot as well as all the other guys there. Kids classes are great.

★★★★★ — Henry, Nov 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 21 reviews →

Your first Karate class at American Kenpo Karate, Kick Boxing & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find American Kenpo Karate, Kick Boxing & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

7959 University Ave, La Mesa, CA91942

Get directions

More Karate dojos near La Mesa

La Mesa Dojo - Shin Kyokushin Karate

5 ★★★★★ 13 reviews

5280 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA

Karate dojo Beginners welcome Affiliated expert instruction from a great senseiwelcoming to beginnersfriendly, respectful dojo

under a mile away

Eternal Martial Arts And Karate For Kids

4.8 ★★★★★ 22 reviews

6005 Lake Murray Blvd, La Mesa, CA

Ages 3–12

Karate dojo Kids & teens expert instruction from a great senseifriendly, respectful dojostrong technique, kata & fundamentals

1.7 miles away

James Martial Arts Academy

5 ★★★★★ 41 reviews

2356 Fletcher Pkwy, El Cajon, CA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Ages 3–18

Karate dojo Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Affiliated expert instruction from a great senseifriendly, respectful dojostrong technique, kata & fundamentals

3.2 miles away

All Karate dojos in La Mesa, CA →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.