HomeCaliforniaSan Diego › Freestyle Martial Arts

Freestyle Martial Arts

4.9 ★★★★★ 103 Google reviews · Karate dojo in San Diego, California

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

Plan your first class

  • Free trial / intro class most dojos welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's Karate classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
  • Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule freestylesd.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 619-224-9600

Hours

Monday 3:15–9 pm
Tuesday 3:15–9 pm
Wednesday 3:15–9 pm
Thursday 3:15–9 pm
Friday 4:15–9 pm
Saturday 7:30 am–1 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 Freestyle Martial Arts, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 47 mentions

“Sensei Joey and Sensei jackson know when to give my child time to catch up to her classmates as well as when to guide her into pushing herself a little harder each time.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

💪 Women's Karate

“I have even taken a women's self defense class there.”

All dojos that run women's karate →

Teens

“The instructors are kind and work well with kids and teens.”

All dojos that run teens →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“It really was very sweet of them to give each child a holiday gift, host carnivals , self defense classes for parents,buddy days just to mention a few.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners

“They have all levels of classes and they group kids by ability and age-specific classes.”

All dojos that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Freestyle Martial Arts — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“It really was very sweet of them to give each child a holiday gift, host carnivals , self defense classes for parents,buddy days just to mention a few.”

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 103 Google reviews — in their own words.

friendly, respectful dojo 14 mentions

“They take a personal interest in every family and student, creating a very supportive environment in which the students thrive.”

🧒 strong kids program 4 mentions

“My sons confidence has dramatically shot through the roof and his public speaking is A game now and on top of that his discipline and Karate knowledge is A+.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 27 mentions

“In addition to practicing martial arts at the dojo, she is practicing respect, discipline, self control, public speaking, and accountability.”

From the reviews

My son has been taking karate at this dojo for over 2 1/2 years. The facility is clean, well maintained and kid friendly. The instructors are kind and work well with kids and teens. They encourage students to take leadership roles in the classes and activities.

★★★★★ — Lisa, Oct 2015

We just started bringing our 6 year old and 10 year old this year. I was reluctant to join but I am so glad we gave it a try. They have all levels of classes and they group kids by ability and age-specific classes.

★★★★★ — Maryann, Mar 2017

The instructors at USA Freestyle are fantastic and find ways to get through to kids of all ages and personalities. They teach them the importance of discipline and respect while managing to show them how fun martial arts can be.

★★★★★ — Mitul, May 2016

Awesome Martial Arts gym! My child is loving it, we moved from Japan and his English was lacking a little and his confidence. The staff here is amazing and well trained.

★★★★★ — Cravens, May 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 103 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Freestyle Martial Arts

Freestyle Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

See their beginner class info

Your first Karate class at Freestyle Martial Arts

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 Freestyle Martial Arts

3760 Sports Arena Blvd #1, San Diego, CA92110

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More Karate dojos near San Diego

Japan Karate - San Diego Dojo

4.4 ★★★★☆ 15 reviews

3545 Midway Dr # C, San Diego, CA

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

Karate dojo Free trial Kids & teens Competition team Affiliated expert instruction from a great senseiwelcoming to beginnersfriendly, respectful dojo

under a mile away

U.S. Karate Academy

4.9 ★★★★★ 132 reviews

3191 Sports Arena Blvd Ste E, San Diego, CA

Karate dojo Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons friendly, respectful dojostrong technique, kata & fundamentalsstrong kids program

Martial arts school specializing in fitness, self-defense classes & karate for children.

under a mile away

San Diego Peninsula Shotokan Karate

5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews

2650 Truxtun Rd Ste 100, San Diego, CA

Memberships around $55/mo

Karate dojo Beginners welcome Affiliated strong technique, kata & fundamentalstraditional style & affiliationbuilds confidence, discipline & respect

1.1 miles away

All Karate dojos in San Diego, 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.