We have been providing Aikido instruction in Santa Cruz since 1982 when we incorporated as North Bay Aikido. Then from the spring of 2004 to autumn of 2005 we changed our dojo name from North Bay Aikido to Aikido of Santa Cruz. The dojo's history traces back to the early years of Aikido training from 1970 on at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). After a brief interlude at Walk Circle on the westside of Santa Cruz, in 1982-86, the dojo moved 1986 into a former Lutheran church on 708 Washington Street, which served as a home for 10 years (1).

In November 1996, the dojo moved again to 306 Mission St., again close to downtown Santa Cruz (2, 3). This building had been acquired in 1996 after 10 years of intensive fundraising efforts. Without the contributions of the many volunteers from within the dojo community this project would not have been possible.

From November 1996 to the day of our Grand Opening ceremony at the end of June 1997, many weekends and hours of spare time went into reconstruction work of this place in a community effort, which once has been owned by the Santa Cruz Women's Club and until recently by the Order of the Eagles. The new dojo features a large 60 tatami mat and enough space for 80 people to train together in one class (4).

An adjunct space, called the "Blue Room", is used for smaller special classes and workshops (5).