The Best California Dance Studios To Do The Two-Step

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Dance is a great form of exercise that encompasses a wide range of styles and allows you to express an entire spectrum of emotions. Despite common misconceptions, dance is not just for girls and children (and should not be saved solely for the dance floor at your cousin’s wedding). In fact, the art form provides a fun way to exercise while also helping to tone muscles and increase flexibility without compromising strength; athletes benefit immensely from the stretching techniques learned in dance classes, and the movements can even help to prevent injuries by working alternative muscles and increasing range of motion.

Whether you are looking for something to fill your evenings, a new kind of exercise you will actually enjoy, or a new skill to show off to your friends, dance comes in many variations, and one is sure to strike your fancy.

Wherever you are in the state, check out our recommendations for the best California dance studios.

Culture Shock Dance Center, San Diego

Culture Shock Dance Center features an array of classes for adults, youths, and teens. Step outside your comfort zone with an island fusion, jazz-funk, krump, musical theater, tap, or waacking dance lesson. It is among the best dance studios in California.

The adult classes here present different choreography and are available on a single-class basis or as a package at a discounted rate. Make sure to come on a Friday for a Happy Hour class to get half off the usual rate — and a good workout that will start off your weekend right.

Studio A Dance, Los Angeles

Studio A Dance offers a host of dance programs for all ages and skill levels. Whether you are looking for a full workout with the body blast or boot camp class or seeking to learn a new skill—such as merengue, ballet, hula, jazz, or wedding dance—this studio covers the basics and then some.

The studio has a long history that began in the dining room of a Los Feliz apartment, whose capacity was a whopping five students. Fast-forward several years, and the bustling studio that exists today is full of classes for children and adults alike. Kids' classes are offered on a dance-year basis, but adult classes have the flexibility of a per-class price. Stop by for a single session, or make it a regular part of your routine and learn dozens of dance styles you can show off at the club or at your next party.

3rd Dance Street, Los Angeles

One of the most popular dance studios in Los Angeles C.A. is 3rd Dance Street. Considered a Los Angeles landmark with its 40 years of being in the business, this studio offers a wide range of classes for people of all ages and skills. There are also private classes for those who are a little shy, even rentals of the studio for various other events and classes.

Head over to the 3rd Dance Street studio every third of the month for a night of social dancing, with live performances and DJs playing Salsa, Bachat and Kizomba. The 3rd Street Dance Socials are also a great opportunity to try new classes and maybe discover a hidden passion! Fun is what awaits you at this California dance studio.

Millennium Dance Complex, Los Angeles

Millenium Dance Complex is arguably one of the most famous dance studios in California. It was located in the NOHO Arts District of Los Angeles until they moved to Studio City. Anne Marie Hudson is the one who transformed the Moro Landis Studio into the legendary Dance Complex known today. With a big number of professional dancers working at one of the best dance studios in Southern California, you are guaranteed to get the best training possible.

There are programs for kids and tweens, namely the Millenium Junior Dance Program where your children will be able to get an amazing dancing experience. The teachers at this studio consider dance to not only be a form of art and self expression, but also a form of discipline.

For the more adventurous types, there are also group sessions where you can choose whichever class is open on the website, and join in on the fun.

City Dance, San Fransisco

City Dance specializes in urban dance for adults, though the studio does have a schedule of youth hip-hop classes. Styles like popping, house, breaking and locking are more highly prioritized at this studio, making it a unique place to immerse yourself in the heart of San Francisco and its history. Staples such as jazz, tap, contemporary, ballet, and even flamenco are offered as well, providing you with the opportunity to become a very well-rounded dancer.

Rae Studio, San Fransisco

Rae Studio is located just outside of Union Square and overlooks downtown’s busy streets. High ceilings, surround-sound speakers, wood floors, and a cozy feel create the ideal sanctuary to practice a new skill. The studio hosts several classes—including ballroom, salsa, belly dance, hip-hop, sunrise yoga, and barre—for a wide variety of workouts that are perfect for any mood.

Sign up for the unlimited monthly membership to try out all the different styles on a regular basis, or drop in for a single session to see if the studio is right for you. As one of the best dance studios in California, it combines popular fitness classes with dance techniques for a great all-around workout and allows you to work for every muscle group, maintain flexibility, and tone down rather than bulk up. With so many dance classes available, you and your muscles will undoubtedly stay entertained.

Once you have mastered your moves in the studio, check out the best dance venues across the state and start showing them off.

Dance Academy USA, San Jose

Established in 1990, Dance Academy USA is one of the best dance studios in San Jose California. The academy provides training classes for kids and adults alike and has over 200 classes a week. It is known to be the most comprehensive dance program in the Bay Area. The Dance Academy USA studio started as a one-room studio with a mission of building a dance community built around inclusivity, friendship, and family. It has since then come a long way and continues to teach people the different ways of dancing while maintaining those core values.