List of Woodworking Classes in San Diego, California [Updated]
San Diego is home to several community woodworking opportunities and college programs for woodworkers. Beginner classes introduce students to the basics of woodworking, while more experienced students are offered challenging projects.
Most woodworking classes in San Diego are offered by non profit organizations and community-centered learning spaces. Classes are geared towards all levels and have an encouraging atmosphere.
Two colleges in San Diego offer programs for woodworkers who want to pursue a career in the craft.
There are so many unique learning opportunities available for woodworkers in San Diego. The following are the top classes and programs offered in the city this year.
1) San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA)
- Type: Woodworking
- Classes: weekdays, weekends, multiple sessions, mornings, evenings
- Price: $75-$500
- Website: https://sdfwa.org/classes/
- Telephone: (858) 230-7593
- Location: 5360 Eastgate Mall Suite E San Diego, CA 92121
The San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association, or SDFWA, is a non profit organization that was founded in 1982. The association offers a plethora of woodworking resources for its members.
SDFWA members participate in meetings and classes and have access to library materials. Membership is affordable and available for everyone.
Classes require a membership and run in multiple sessions. Beginner students learn how to operate hand tools and machines to create their own cutting boards and stools.
Experienced students learn about veneering, epoxy, routers, turning, hand tools, digital tools, and whittling.
2) San Diego Craft Collective
- Type: Woodworking
- Classes: beginner, open studio
- Price: $60-$200
- Website: https://sandiegocraft.org/product-category/adult-classes/
- Telephone: (619) 273-3235
- Location: 2590 Truxtun Rd. Studio 106 San Diego, CA 92106
San Diego Craft Collective was founded in 2018 as a non profit crafts education venue. The Collective is located in the Liberty Station Art District and offers classes for beginner woodworkers.
The introductory class covers the operation of jointers, planers, table saws, drill presses, and routers. Students create cutting boards.
Open studio time is also available at San Diego Craft Collective for students with previous woodworking experience.
3) Maketory
- Type: Woodworking
- Classes: beginner, memberships
- Price: $120-$299
- Website: https://www.maketory.com/woodshop-classes/
- Telephone: (858) 252-1919
- Location: 9431 Dowdy Dr. Suite 2 San Diego, CA 92126
Maketory is the only makerspace of its kind in San Diego. The space offers classes and memberships in woodworking and other crafts.
Beginner woodworkers create a step stool and cutting boards. More experienced woodworkers learn wood carving, wood turning, and CNC router operation.
Maketory classes are offered at a discounted price for members. Contact Maketory directly for more information on membership and updated class availability.
4) Rockler Woodworking & Hardware
- Type: Woodworking
- Classes: beginner, intermediate, advanced, weekdays, weekends, mornings, afternoons
- Price: $75-$175
- Website: https://www.rockler.com/retail/stores/ca/san-diego-store
- Telephone: (858) 268-1005
- Location: 8199 Clairmont Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA 92111
Rockler Woodworking & Hardware is a nationwide lumber supply chain that also offers woodworking classes for all experience levels.
Classes cover topics like wood pen turning, bowl turning, hand planes, table saws, wood lathes, and other power tools.
Rockler’s introductory class teaches students how to make their own cutting boards.
5) University of California San Diego Craft Center
- Type: Woodworking
- Classes: college coursework
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://craftcenter.ucsd.edu/studios/woodworking.html
- Telephone: (858) 246-4537
- Location: 9605 Scholars Dr. N. La Jolla, CA 92093
The University of California San Diego offers woodworking courses through its Craft Center. The classes are suitable for all levels and teach students how to make small projects.
Equipment include the table saw, band saw, miter saw, drill press, planer, and jointer.
6) San Diego State University School of Art & Design
- Type: Woodworking
- Classes: college coursework
- Price: Contact for tuition information
- Website: https://art.sdsu.edu/programs/applied-design-emphasis/specialization-in-furniture-and-woodworking/
- Telephone: (619) 594-6511
- Location: 5500 Campanile Dr. San Diego, CA 92182
San Diego State University School of Art & Design offers a furniture and woodworking program for undergraduate students.
Coursework covers carving, joinery, lathe operation, and finishing techniques. Students are encouraged to experiment in the school’s fully-equipped woodworking studio.