Today we’d like to introduce you to Ezra Nathaniel Rodriguez.
Hi Ezra Nathaniel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
We are 3 brothers (Zeke, Eli, and Ezra Rodriguez) and an accountant family-friend (Michael Alonzo), and we took a leap of faith on getting into the entertainment business as bunch of eager millennials with Zeke just finishing his time in the Navy.
Our journey began in Fresno, California back in 2016 with our first escape room location, where our unique experiences quickly became a local favorite with just two rooms. We eventually expanded our escape room business in 2019 opening up 5 rooms and eventually turning one of those escape rooms to a rage room. It was an instant hit. However, the pandemic hit us hard in 2020. We were not sure we were going to make it. But with the grace of God and support from the local community, we clawed our way back. In 2023, we opened our first stand-alone rage room with 4 rage rooms. Thanks to overwhelming enthusiasm and incredible feedback from our customers, we knew it was time to expand — and now, we’ve brought that same high-energy adventure to San Diego. Located in Hillcrest, Xcape & Rage offers a unique blend of escape rooms and rage rooms, designed for those ready to break away from the ordinary. After one of our owners called this city home in 2022, it became clear that this southern California destination city’s vibrant, energetic community was the perfect home for our next chapter.
Proudly minority and Navy veteran owned, Xcape & Rage is built on passion, creativity, and a commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences.
At Xcape & Rage, we believe great entertainment should be hands-on, heart-pounding, and truly memorable. Whether you’re solving challenges or raging away stress, we create experiences that keep you fully engaged from start to finish.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s definitely been worth it. Our journey has been long, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. One of our biggest hurdles early on was navigating local government regulations. Because escape and rage rooms are still relatively new concepts, we often found ourselves educating officials about what we do and how we operate safely.
Funding was another challenge. Coming from modest backgrounds (all our parents we government employees), none of us had the luxury of big investors or rich family money. Together, with the support of our family and friends, we built XRSD from the ground up. We pooled our savings, took a leap of faith, and trusted our vision. On top of that, educating the public about what a rage room even is took time, creativity, and a lot of outreach.
Then came the pandemic, which hit small businesses like ours hard. The road to recovery was tough, but it shaped us. We learned resilience, adaptability, and how to keep going even in the hardest economic times. Every obstacle pushed us to grow stronger, and it’s that perseverance that brought us to where we are today.
As you know, we’re big fans of Xcape & Rage San Diego. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Xcape & Rage San Diego (XRSD), we’re all about turning everyday stress into unforgettable fun! Located in the heart of Hillcrest, we specialize in two unique, high-energy experiences. Rage rooms, where you can safely smash away your worries, and escape rooms, where teamwork and quick thinking lead to thrilling victories. We blend adrenaline, laughter, and creativity to give San Diegans a one-of-a-kind outlet for fun, connection, and release.
What truly sets XRSD apart is that we’re a minority-, family-, and veteran-owned small business proudly operated by passionate millennials. We are not part of a franchise or corporate chain. Every detail, from the room designs to the music blasting while you rage, comes from our team’s imagination and love for our community. We take pride in creating an inclusive, welcoming environment that reflects Hillcrest’s vibrant spirit and invites people from all walks of life to cut loose and have a blast.
We’re proud to offer something that’s equal parts stress relief, team building, and pure joy. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, planning a date night, or just need to break things (safely!), XRSD delivers an experience that’s raw, real, and ridiculously fun. Our mission is simple. Want to help people escape the ordinary, embrace the chaos, and walk out with stories they’ll be laughing about forever.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Even though we are not San Diego born and raised, we are born and raised Californians. We have always loved San Diego, and we proud to call it home now. We wish nothing more than to bring smiles and fun to this amazing city.
Pricing:
- Adult Xcaper: $35 per person + service fee(when booked online)
- Student or Military Xcaper: $32 per person + service fee(when booked online)
- Adult Rager: $45 per person + service fee(when booked online)
- Student or Military Rager: $42 per person + service fee(when booked online)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.xcapeandragesandiego.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xcaperagesd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575953794637
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/xcape-and-rage-san-diego-san-diego-2
Image Credits
Javier Fernandez
