Finding Us: Directions to GB Thousand Oaks at 1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd

Finding Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks (GBTO) is straightforward, as it is located within one of the most prominent athletic landmarks in the Conejo Valley: the Sports Academy (formerly known as Mamba Sports Academy). The facility is situated at 1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320.

Whether you are commuting from nearby Newbury Park, Westlake Village, or driving down from Moorpark, here is the detailed guide to finding the academy.

 

1. General Location and Landmark

 

The academy is located in the industrial and tech corridor of Newbury Park/Thousand Oaks, just north of the 101 Freeway. The Sports Academy is a massive, 96,000-square-foot black and grey building. You cannot miss it once you are on Rancho Conejo Blvd, as it is one of the largest structures in the area.

 

2. Driving Directions via the 101 Freeway

 

Most visitors will arrive via the Ventura (101) Freeway.

 

 From the South (Westlake Village, Thousandoaks Hills, Los Angeles):

1. Take the 101 North toward Ventura.
2. Exit at Borchard Rd/Rancho Conejo Blvd.
3. Turn right onto Rancho Conejo Blvd.
4. Continue north for approximately 1.2 miles.
5. The Sports Academy will be on your left.

 

 From the North (Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura):

1. Take the 101 South toward Los Angeles.
2. Exit at Borchard Rd/Rancho Conejo Blvd.
3. Turn left onto Borchard Rd, which immediately becomes Rancho Conejo Blvd as you cross over the freeway.
4. Continue north for approximately 1.2 miles.
5. The Sports Academy will be on your left.

 

3. Directions from Moorpark (via the 23 Freeway)

 

1. Take the CA-23 South toward Thousand Oaks.
2. Merge onto the 101 North toward Ventura.
3. Exit at Borchard Rd/Rancho Conejo Blvd.
4. Turn right onto Rancho Conejo Blvd and proceed 1.2 miles to the facility on your left.

 

4. Arrival and Parking

 

 The Parking Lot: The Sports Academy has a very large private parking lot. While it can get busy during youth tournament weekends (basketball or volleyball), there is almost always ample parking for Jiu-Jitsu students.

 Main Entrance: Enter through the front glass doors of the Sports Academy. You will be greeted by a front desk.

 Finding the Mats: Once inside, the Gracie Barra mats are typically located toward the back-left quadrant of the main floor. You will see the iconic “Red Shield” logos and the blue mats from a distance.

 

5. Helpful Tips for First-Timers

 

 Check-In: When you arrive for your first class, let the Sports Academy front desk know you are there for Gracie Barra. They will point you toward the specific mat area.

 Proximity to Tech Hubs: If you work at Amgen, Baxter, or Skyworks, the academy is less than 5 minutes away, making it an ideal “Noon Crew” destination.

 GPS Note: Some older GPS systems might still list the building as “Mamba Sports Academy.” Rest assured, 1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd is the correct destination.

 

6. Nearby Amenities

 

If you are arriving early or need a post-training meal:

 

 On-Site Cafe: There is usually a cafe inside the Sports Academy for quick snacks, acai bowls, or coffee.

 The Oaks Shopping Center: Located just a few minutes south if you need to run errands after class.

 Target/Starbucks: Located at the corner of Borchard and Rancho Conejo for any last-minute needs.

 

Would you like me to check the specific class times for this evening so you can time your drive to arrive 15 minutes before the “Bow-In”?

 

Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks represents a unique intersection in the martial arts world: it is a local, family-oriented academy that operates with the facility standards and championship pedigree of a professional athletic training center.

 

Located inside the renowned Sports Academy (formerly Mamba Sports Academy) in Newbury Park, it offers a distinct “University of Jiu-Jitsu” experience led by one of the most successful active competitors in the sport’s history.

 

1. World-Class Leadership

 

The primary draw for students—from hobbyists to professional fighters—is the caliber of instruction.

 

 Professor Gabriel Arges: The academy is owned and led by Gabriel Arges, a 3-time IBJJF Black Belt World Champion. In the BJJ world, this is the equivalent of learning basketball from a current NBA All-Star. His leadership ensures that students learn modern, battle-tested techniques rather than outdated methods.

 The Romulo Barral Lineage: Arges is a black belt under the legendary Romulo Barral (Gracie Barra Northridge). This connection integrates the academy into a powerhouse regional network, granting students access to elite seminars and high-level training partners from across Southern California.

 

2. A Professional Athlete Facility

 

Unlike many BJJ schools located in small industrial warehouses, Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks benefits from being housed within a major athletic complex.

 

 The “Pro” Environment: Located at 1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd, the academy is part of a 96,000 sq. ft. facility. It features professional-grade lighting, expansive mat space, and an atmosphere of high-performance athletics.

 Hospital-Grade Hygiene: Leveraging the standards of the Sports Academy, the mats are kept to a clinical level of cleanliness (“Red Shield” standard), drastically reducing the risk of skin infections common in lesser-regulated gyms.

 Amenities: Students have access to premium changing rooms, showers, and a pro shop, catering to the “Executive” crowd who need to head straight to work after morning training.

 

3. Adult Programs: Structure Meets Intensity

 

The curriculum is designed to accommodate two distinct groups: the working professional who cannot afford to get injured, and the young athlete chasing gold medals.

 

 GB1 Fundamentals: This is the safe on-ramp for beginners. There is no live sparring in these classes. The focus is on self-defense mechanics, safe falling techniques (breakfalls), and core positional drills. This structure makes BJJ accessible to doctors, executives, and parents in the Conejo Valley.

 GB2 & GB3 (Advanced): Once students earn 3 stripes on their white belt, they unlock advanced classes. Here, the focus shifts to the “Arges Style”—dynamic guard play, modern leg locks (like the “Kneebarge”), and the strategic “Physical Chess” required for competition.

 Competition Team: Under Arges’s guidance, the competition team is one of the most successful in the region. Intense “comp classes” attract practitioners from Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Camarillo looking to test their limits.

 

4. The “Future Champions” Youth Program

 

The youth program is a cornerstone of the academy, divided by age to ensure developmental appropriateness.

 

 Anti-Bullying Philosophy: The curriculum teaches children to neutralize bullies without violence. They learn to control an aggressor using leverage and pins (“negotiation from the top”) rather than striking, protecting them from both physical harm and school suspension.

 Age-Specific Classes:

 Little Champions (Ages 3–6): Focuses on motor coordination, listening skills, and “animal movements” to build body awareness.

 Juniors (Ages 7–9): Introduces technical grappling, partner drills, and the concept of leverage.

 Teens (Ages 10–15): A critical program for adolescents that combines self-defense with the athleticism of sport BJJ, helping teens navigate social pressure and build a healthy, disciplined peer group.

 

5. Culture and Atmosphere

 

Despite the elite pedigree of its instructors, the culture is famously “no-ego.”

 

 The “Red Shield” Etiquette: The academy strictly follows traditional martial arts etiquette—bowing onto the mats, addressing instructors as “Professor” or “Coach,” and respecting training partners.

 Mentorship: Higher belts (“Big Brothers/Sisters”) are expected to guide and protect lower belts. It is common to see a World Champion competitor helping a Day-One white belt tie their belt.

 Family-Centric: The schedule often aligns adult and kids’ classes, allowing parents to train simultaneously with their children.

 

Gracie Barra Thousand Oaks offers a premium martial arts experience where “World Class” is a reality, not just a slogan. Whether you are a parent seeking confidence for your child or an adult wanting to learn from a living legend, the academy provides a safe, clean, and highly professional environment to start your journey.

 

Would you like me to find the current class schedule for a specific age group, or would you like directions to the Sports Academy facility? https://gbthousandoaks.com/free-trial/

 

Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu & Martial Arts Academy Thousand Oaks CA

1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd, Thousand Oaks, California 91320, United States

Phone Number: +1 805-721-6776

 

Office Hours

Mon. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm

Tue. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm

Wed. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm

Thu. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm

Fri. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm

Sat. 09:00 am – 07:30 pm

Sun. Closed

Finding Us: Directions to GB Thousand Oaks at 1011 Rancho Conejo Blvd