White Dragon Martial Arts – San Marcos

White Dragon has done a fantastic job of helping me and my three children where we are at. One of my children is very gifted, and they’ve done a great job of pushing her. I have little natural ability, but they have done a wonderful job of encouraging me and helping me achieve more than I thought I could.
My daughter and I do Tai Chi along with Kung Fu. Each of the arts helps with the other. I highly recommend both programs. There are other classes which my children have enjoyed including kick boxing, sparring, grappling, weapon sparring, and lion dancing. White Dragon offers a wide range of of classes which help people get in shape and become less likely to become a victim.

I liked this place but after 2 of our 3 introduction classes, they seemed to lose interest in my son. They never even returned our phone calls for the 3^rd session. Would have been 5 stars and they would have had a customer — if they called back. Bummer!

This school and the instructors are wonderful! I was skeptical how much my young 4 year old would get out of lessons, but after a few weeks we could see a noticeable improvement in his skills and balance. I really like that they balance teaching martial arts with basic personal safety (strangers, getting lost, inappropriate touching, etc.) and make very clear distinctions about when they can use kung fu (kung fu class or if life is in danger) vs what they can do if someone is picking on them at school (use voice, blocks, etc).
All of the instructors are friendly and engaging, and all make an effort to get to know all of the students. Everyone has been very professional.
I also like the fact that you can participate in unlimited group classes at any of their locations in addition to the private lessons. This is especially great when school is out and you’re looking to keep the kids busy.

White Dragon is so awesome to get fit and have a good workout. In this location the teachers are chill and nice and the students are too. I know 2 people from my instructor training class (Gio Lachica and Shane Desfor) they’re really nice and cool to talk to. Sifu Vandergriff is so awesome I’ve known him for more than 4 years before he was Sifu. He was also my intro lesson instructor. I’m from the Clairemont school but I’ve gone in the place for lion dancing but every time I go inside this place I feel like I’m home outside of home

Truly the best choice for martial arts for all ages and abilities. With so many choices and classes offered and many of them free like lion dancing no one else can compete. Instruction is top notch every day every time. Results are amazing they have transformed my son like magicians. Can’t wait to watch him compete in the Dragon Cup. Thank you White Dragon San Marcos.

Have been coming here for over a year and my son continues to like coming here. From Kung Fu, weapons training and now lion dancing he has many opportunities.

What amazing teachers, friendly staff, and caring students.
Patient and compassionate teachings of a truly wonderful art of Kung Fu and Tai Chi where your goal is strength and protection while learning and respecting. The history.
I highly recommend this school for personal internal advancement, self esteem and mental and physical conditioning.

We come here 5 days a week and love coming here because of the instruction we receive and friendly and encouraging instructors. Since coming here we have met quite a few other families with similar interests!!!

My son joined the San Marcos site 6 months ago. We had a pleasant first few months with his wonderful instructor. My son though lost interest not to long after starting and didn’t wait to go anymore. We kept him in saying try a little longer and you may end up liking it. However, he didn’t and started fighting us about going. He had just started school and wanted to join school sports with all his friends. I had called to schedule a meeting with there head guy to talk about stoping our session. When I walked in right away the guy had a attitude with me because he knew I wanted to cancel my son sessions. I sat there and he basically lectured me on how parents come in and tell him all the time there kids don’t want to do this anymore, but if we let them quiet things they will become quieters in life with everything. I understand you shouldn’t always quiet things, but if my sons really not happy and into it I’m not paying all this money for him to hate it. The head guys was so rude to me the whole time I was in talking with him. I don’t think anyone should ever be treated that way! I was a customer and had told people how I liked the place, but it wasn’t for my son. Now I would never refer anyone to this place because of how I was treated! They guy had a bad attitude and horrible manners.

Very professional… They have been more than cooperative in working around my son’s crazy schedule. The facility is kept very clean and they always greet you with a smile. Like other posters have said, the atmosphere is very positive. The price is not cheap but you get what you pay for…

The instructor’s here are very enthusiastic and really know their stuff! This school is also well kept and clean. Its nice to have a clean training environment to exercise in.

My wife and I noticed the White Dragon San Marcos location one day when shopping at a local grocery store. Both of us have background in various Martial Arts forms, and both being active duty we were interested but skeptical. We both wanted something challenging, both physically and intellectually. We did our research and decided to pay a visit to their location. My initial impression of the staff was they are amazingly energetic and passionate about what they do. I can say after a few months of studying here, my impression still holds and my wife and I found the challenge we were looking for. They have a program for the young and old, and from the most novice to the most experienced. They are quick to find a way to teach to YOU, and use your experience and knowledge to help you understand and capture what they are teaching. Very impressive staff and facilities, and schedule flexibility are hallmarks of this company. I can’t recommend them enough.

I wanted to provide an update to my original review of White Dragon San Marcos. At times when new activities are introduced excitement and enthusiasm take over, then after a period of time the enthusiasm fades and the interest dies down either because the activity becomes dull or the business fails to deliver the quality of service that was originally promised when sold on services. I have ran into this problem before with other companies and it is always disappointing when the level of service diminishes (almost instantly) once they have captured your money and have you locked in as a customer. This is not true however with White Dragon. After nearly 4 months of training, the service we recieve is still consistantly excellent. My daughter is just as happy, motivated and inspired as the first day she joined the White Dragon team and I’m amazed at how much she has learned and accomplished in such a short period of time. I’m so pleased with what my daughter has gained as a student here that I have decided to join the White Dragon San Marcos team as well. Not only is the level of service excellent and the training top notch but in addition we have been given opportunities to participate in other White Dragon events such as tournaments, banquets and Master Classes to provide additional training and team building. I find this truly unique and a fabulous way to not only build upon developing skill but to keep the students engaged and enthusiastic about the school and training. All I can say is well done WDSM, keep up the great work and thank you for leaving us with a smile on our face each and everytime we leave your school. WDSM ROCKS!

I just visited the new school a few weeks ago and I am impressed!
I’ve been a member of White Dragon for a long time now. I go to the Mira Mesa location/​school, but I often go to other schools as we are one big family.
The school’s facilities are top notch, organized, excellent equipment, and everything is well taken care of. But any school can have that. Where this place shines is the quality of it’s people.
I’ve known the Sifu/​chief instructor here for over a decade and I know first hand how passionate he is with regards to his teaching of kung fu and the success of his students. He’s always got a positive attitude and his kung fu skill is amazing!
I live down in North Park, but I make the trip up to the San Marcos school on occasion because it is such a great atmosphere to learn and practice.

I have been a White Dragon kung fu student for over five and half years, and a tai chi student almost as long. Until recently, the Clairemont school was my home, but when they opened this location, and my instructor moved to San Marcos, I had to go. It’s a long drive, but it’s worth it.
Simply-​put, this is a martial arts school that is dedicated to your personal betterment. Weekly individual private lessons are key to success, and you can’t get that at most places. The instructors are all about their students, and there is something for everyone. Personally, I really enjoy the traditional kung fu forms and weapons. There’s also sparring, grappling, and Tai Chi. (My wife and I still take Tai Chi at the Clairemont location.)
I’ve recommended White Dragon to friends and family, and eventually my kids will be students, when they’re old enough.

We love this place. Our daughter has been taking classes for almost a month and has already learned a lot and has so much fun. The instructors are really nice and are all great with kids which isn’t always easy to find. The atmosphere at this white dragon is really positive. You can tell from my other reviews that I am tough on businesses and expect excellent customer service but will give credit when credit is due. This place delivers. Thanks white dragon.

We ran across White Dragon while the fam was on a grocery run. Both my wife and I have had positive Martial Arts experiences when we were younger so we decided to walk in and see what White Dragon was all about. We were immediately greeted by Sifu and provided a very informative and professional tour through the school and the history of Choy Li Fut. Our four year old daughter was hooked!
Her first three classes were one on one’s with Sifu, which she loved. We signed her up after her third lesson and have been going 4 times a week ever since!
She now takes private lessons with Ms. Tredwell, who actually has a Master’s degree in education. She has been absorbing the lessons quickly and lights up as soon as she sees her Sifu and the rest of the San Marcos school’s teachers. I can’t say enough good things about this place.