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White Dragon Martial Arts - Clairemont (San Diego)

4.9 ★★★★★ 220 Google reviews · Karate dojo in San Diego, California

Free trial Affiliated Kids & teens Private lessons Weapons / kobudo Competition team

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

  • 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
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • 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
  • Weapons / kobudo traditional weapons (kobudo) classes — kata with the bo, sai, and nunchaku, taught with control and discipline
  • 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 whitedragonmartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 858-277-7557

Hours

Monday 12–8:30 pm
Tuesday 12–8:30 pm
Wednesday 12–8:30 pm
Thursday 12–8:30 pm
Friday 12–8:30 pm
Saturday 9 am–4 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 White Dragon Martial Arts - Clairemont (San Diego), confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 33 mentions

“As a parent looking for quality martial arts training for both myself and my children, I was thrilled to find that White Dragon offers classes for adults and children alike.”

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⚔️ Weapons (Kobudo)

“The breadth of training is impressive: basic self-defense, grappling, kickboxing, weapons training, lion dance and Tai Chi—truly addressing mind, body, and spirit.”

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👤 Private Lessons 5 mentions

“I also love that in addition to the group classes, he also participates in a weekly one on one with an instructor to further develop his skills.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

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🥋 Adult Karate

“As a parent looking for quality martial arts training for both myself and my children, I was thrilled to find that White Dragon offers classes for adults and children alike.”

All dojos that run adult karate →

Other martial arts here

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

🥊 Kickboxing 4 mentions

“The breadth of training is impressive: basic self-defense, grappling, kickboxing, weapons training, lion dance and Tai Chi—truly addressing mind, body, and spirit.”

Other dojos that also teach kickboxing →

🐉 Kung Fu 8 mentions

“Our son has grown immensely over the past year that he has attended—not only in the practice of Kung Fu, but also in his overall confidence and excitement to learn a new art form.”

Other dojos that also teach kung fu →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

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 220 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 6 mentions

“Thank you to everyone that makes this place run and for the amazing instructors for the work that they do with these kiddos!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 5 mentions

“Through kung fu, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the beginner’s mindset and learned that meaningful progress takes time.”

friendly, respectful dojo 21 mentions

“They create a positive and respectful environment where children learn discipline, confidence, and focus while also having fun and staying active.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Our son has grown immensely over the past year that he has attended—not only in the practice of Kung Fu, but also in his overall confidence and excitement to learn a new art form.”

🧒 strong kids program 8 mentions

“We absolutely love white dragon Martial Arts, every instructor is very professional and you can tell they love their job, our kid love coming to all the classes.”

active competition / tournament team 2 mentions

“Just a suggestion if you could join or compete outside with other martial arts or dojo just for willing students to see their growth.”

From the reviews

White Dragon Martial arts has been a wonderful place to allow my kids to let out energy, learn respect and gain confidence in themselves through Choy Li Fut Kung Fu. Over the years, the entire staff and instructors have become more like a family.

★★★★★ — Jennifer, Sep 2023

I am so thankful for the experience we are having at White Dragon on Balboa. Tai Sifu Ben, all of the instructors and other students are so warm and welcoming. They have created an environment that is super positive and supportive of their students of all ages and levels of experience.

★★★★★ — Jessie, May 2026

White dragon has been an amazing thing for my son. He’s 13, entering his teenage phase and karate was his sport of choice. We found White Dragon and signed him up. As soon as he started I could see the difference in so many ways!

★★★★★ — Sofi, Nov 2025

Beginning instruction at White Dragon Martial Arts Clairemont in 2021 has been one of my family’s greatest decisions. As a parent looking for quality martial arts training for both myself and my children, I was thrilled to find that White Dragon offers classes for adults and children alike.

★★★★★ — Leslie, Dec 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 220 reviews →

Your first Karate class at White Dragon Martial Arts - Clairemont (San Diego)

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 White Dragon Martial Arts - Clairemont (San Diego)

5953 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA92111

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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.