Tamayo’s Judo

About Tamayo's Judo

Tamayo's Judo is a judo club in Suite B of 290 California Avenue in the California Avenue district. It is run by Raul Tamayo, who the club says was head coach of Stanford Judo from 1994 to 2020 and holds a sixth-degree black belt, or rokudan. The club teaches judo to children, teenagers and adults, with group classes, private lessons and a summer camp.

The club came to Palo Alto after a setback. Its earlier dojo was in a shopping plaza on the 4600 block of El Camino Real in Los Altos that burned in a fire on Christmas Day 2023. In May 2024 the Mountain View Voice reported that Tamayo planned to reopen in the California Avenue building, sharing it with a game store. The club's website now says it is back in a rebuilt dojo at the new address.

The head coach

According to the club, Tamayo was born and raised in San Francisco, started judo at 6 and earned his black belt by 17. As a competitor he lists two U.S. national bronze medals and five California state titles. His coaching credentials, as the club publishes them, include an international judo coach certification and two stints as a U.S. Paralympics coach, at Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008. He has also coached at world blind judo and Para Pan American events. The club's 2025 summer camp page names Issac Zucker and Zalman Zucker as assistant coaches.

Programs

• Pre-Judo, ages 4 to 6: one 45 minute class a week built around a warm-up, judo exercises and games. Throws and sparring are not taught. Classes run about 10 to 15 children. The club suggests three to six months at this level before moving up.
• Junior Judo, ages 8 to 12: for kids who have finished Pre-Judo. Juniors can train up to four times a week, with classes listed on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings. The emphasis is on fun, fitness and technical skills, along with values the club names such as respect, discipline and sportsmanship.
• Adult Judo: a mix of technical instruction and randori, or live practice. Some advanced juniors train with the adult group. The club says competition results are not the focus, though many advanced juniors enter state and national events.
• Summer camp: in 2025 the club ran three one-week camps with judo practice in the morning and afternoon plus day trips. Check the website for the next camp dates.

The dojo

The club describes its new space as fully renovated, with spring floors under Swain tatami mats, air conditioning and changing rooms. A lounge with a TV gives parents a place to wait while children train. The club also told the Mountain View Voice it planned a small retail corner selling uniforms, T-shirts and martial arts gear, which is handy for families buying a first judogi.

Who it suits

The program ladder makes the club a fit for families who want a long-term activity rather than a short course. A child can start in Pre-Judo at 4, move to the junior class and later train alongside adults. Judo is a grappling sport built on throws, pins and controlled falls, so it suits kids who like rough and tumble play and adults who want a workout with a skill to learn. Beginners do not need any martial arts background. Teens and adults with past judo experience can also use the club to get back on the mat.

Tips for new students

• Start with a free trial class. The website invites new students to get in touch to set one up, which lets a child try the mats before you commit.
• Check eligibility by birth year. The club uses year of birth, not exact age, to place young children in Pre-Judo.
• Bring a clean judogi once you sign up. The club's posted safety rules ask students to bring minimal gear and to stay home when sick, even with a cold.
• Call 415-828-2662 for schedule questions. The phone number has a San Francisco area code even though the dojo is in Palo Alto.

The California Avenue strip has several other gyms and studios within a block or two, plus the Sunday farmers market on the closed section of the street. Our youth sports guide and classes for kids page list other activities for school-age children in town.

Location and getting there

Tamayo’s Judo is at 290 California Avenue, Suite B, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the California Avenue area of Palo Alto. Our California Avenue guide covers what else is around.

The California Avenue Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.

Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).

What is nearby

• Gamelandia, shop, under 0.1 mi
• Protégé, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
• Bistro Elan, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
• Bar Underdog, bar, under 0.1 mi
• Julian Chase Salon, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
• Bowden Park, 0.2 mi
• Peers Park, 0.3 mi
• College Terrace Library, 0.4 mi

Other fitness, dance and martial arts nearby: Pure Barre (under 0.1 mi); Silicon Valley Fit (under 0.1 mi); NITO Boxing (under 0.1 mi); Victoria Ballet (under 0.1 mi). Browse the full fitness, dance and martial arts list.

Before you go

• Many studios offer a first class or trial pass. Ask before you buy a membership.
• Classes at popular times fill up, so book through the studio's app or website where that is offered.
• Bring water and check whether the studio provides mats, towels or rental gear.

About this listing

Checked October 30, 2026 against Tamayo's Judo website; About Coach Tamayo; Programs; Mountain View Voice, May 2024. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

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