Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base Guide
Camp Pendleton, California, is a Marine Corps expeditionary training base near Oceanside in North San Diego County.
Marine Corps Base Guide: Camp Pendleton
Camp Pendleton spans over 125,000 acres. The installation currently employs nearly 4,000 civilians and has more than 42,000 active-duty military members assigned. The installation spans over 125,000 acres. As in most areas, the cost of living is substantial, but the area boasts many nearby attractions, including parks and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, which add value.
More than 38,000 military family members occupy base housing complexes. The daytime population is approximately 70,000 military and civilian personnel. More than 77,000 retired military personnel reside within a 50-mile radius.
Camp Pendleton Contacts
Camp Pendleton
Building 13150
Office 155
Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, CA 92055
760-725-5704
Important Camp Pendleton Telephone Numbers
- Emergency/Ambulance/Fire 911
- Emergency Maintenance (760) 725-4683
- MITSC West Watch Officer (760) 763-7989
- Marine Corps Base/Marine Corps Installations West – (760) 725-5061
- 1st Marine Expeditionary Force – (760) 725-4237
- 1st Marine Division – (760) 725-5201
- 1st Marine Logistics Group – (760) 725-5966
- Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton – (760) 763-1154
- Marine Aircraft Group 39 – (760) 725-3900
- School of Infantry-West – (760) 725-7480
- Pass and ID Office North (760) 763-6476
- Information & Referral (Marine & Family Programs) (760) 725-6090
- Financial Management Program (760) 725-6098
- Relocation Assistance (760) 725.6090/5704 (DSN) (312) 365-6090
- School-Age Care Program (760) 763-0649
- School Liaison Officer (760) 763-7385
- Family Member Employment Assistance Program (760) 725-4737
- Ward Lodging Facility (Hostess House) (760) 725-5304
Related: Ultimate Military Benefits Guide
Camp Pendleton Mission & Units
Camp Pendleton is a training base that emphasizes combat readiness. It is said to be among the busiest of all Department of Defense installations, training active duty, Guard, and Reserve units in a variety of combat operations. Important units at Camp Pendleton and tenant units there have included:
- 1st Marine Expeditionary Force
- 1st Marine Division
- 1st Marine Logistics Group
- Marine Corps Installations-West
- 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion
- Wounded Warrior Battalion-West
- Marine Corps Air Station at Munn Field
- Marine Aircraft Group 39
- Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity
- Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego’s Weapons & Field Training Battalion
- Navy Assault Craft Unit 5
- Naval Hospital and 1st Dental Battalion
- 4th LAR Battalion
- 3rd Civil Affairs Group
- 4th MLG (FWD West)
- MAG 46, Detachment A
- MAG 42
- HMLA-775
- 478th Transportation Company
- 316th Quartermaster Company
- 1394th Deployment Support Brigade
- Joint Reserve Intelligence Center
Camp Pendleton In-Processing and Check-In
Most non-student personnel must report to the Installation Personnel Admin Center (IPAC) Inbound, Bldg 13107, located on mainside. The IPAC Center can be reached at 760-763-6992; after hours, call 760-725-6271. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Outside these hours, check in at the 24/7 duty post.
Students will check in directly to the school they are attending in Class A uniforms; reporting procedures will be given to students before arrival.
For Navy members assigned to the Naval Hospital, reporting and check-in procedures require visiting the Officer of the Day at the Quarter Deck, Bldg. H-100 Naval Hospital. All other Navy members are required to check in with the appropriate command at Building 1223 or the Navy Personnel Office. For questions, call 760-725-1078.
All check-ins must be in Class A uniforms. Necessary lodging information will be given at check-in. Those arriving for specialized training will be given instructions upon check-in.
Camp Pendleton Child Care
Child care at Camp Pendleton is handled by the base Child Development Center (CDC), which offers accredited full-time, part-time, after-school care, and more for children from six weeks to 12 years of age. Family Child Care, or FCCs, are available until children are two years of age.
The CDC is open to the children of qualifying active-duty military, DoD civilian workers, Reservists on active duty and during inactive training, and DoD contractors.
There is a waiting list for on-base child care, as long as 12 months, depending on circumstances and demand. Family Childcare options, where on-base providers offer day care services from property-accredited private homes, are also available.
PCS and TDY Lodging
Temporary lodging facilities at Camp Pendleton include the South Mesa Lodge, Ward Lodge, and the Pacific Views Lodge. Due to the high traffic of personnel and families in the area, reservations should be requested far in advance, at least a few months. South Mesa Lodge can be reached at (760) 763-7805.
Both Ward Lodge and Pacific Views Lodge reservations can be made 6 months in advance. Call Ward Lodge at (760) 725-5304. Pacific Views Lodge can be reached at (760) 763-7805.
In addition to outside lodging, TLC quarters may be requested by military personnel or civilian Government employees with official orders traveling on a temporary assignment. Active-duty military members traveling on PCS orders have priority, so it’s essential to look into lodging before travel.
Camp Pendleton Housing
Service members are permitted to live on or off base. Camp Pendleton has approximately 7,000 housing units; however, these units can also require waiting periods, sometimes as long as a year and a half, for occupancy based on rank and the family’s specific housing needs.
Off-site housing is available in Oceanside and Fallbrook, with Fallbrook being the more affordable option. Approximately two-thirds of the military personnel assigned to Camp Pendleton live off-base in the local community.
The Housing Referral Office may be contacted for concerns, maps of potential housing locations, and information. Renters are strongly encouraged to obtain renters’ insurance and may inquire about the Rental Partnership Program. For questions and inquiries, call 760-725-6246.
The Family Housing Office encourages those who wish to live at Camp Pendleton rather than find off-base housing to apply in advance by submitting a DD-1746 Housing Application Form to the Housing Office.
Related: Basic Allowance for Housing Calculator
Camp Pendleton Transportation
The two closest airports to Camp Pendleton are the San Diego International Airport and the Los Angeles International Airport. There are multiple options for getting to Camp Pendleton from the two major area airports.
San Diego International Airport
About 50 miles from Camp Pendleton, at the San Diego International Airport, the United Service Organization (USO) offers referrals for area shuttle bus services to Camp Pendleton. Call 619-296-3192 for more information. Taxis, car rentals, and ride-sharing services (depending on availability, local laws, and other considerations) are other options for arrival.
Los Angeles International Airport
Located about 80 miles from Camp Pendleton, the Los Angeles International Airport may be a more complex arrival. Taxi service, vehicle rentals, and ride-sharing services may be the best options for some new arrivals, depending on timing, availability, and other factors. Check in advance for availability, pricing, and arrival convenience.
Camp Pendleton Vehicle Registration
Driving on Camp Pendleton requires registration in a system known as DBIDS, which stands for Defense Biometric Identification System. This is considered a “physical access control system”. All new arrivals PCSing to Camp Pendleton will be enrolled in DBIDS “after their first ID scan upon entering Camp Pendleton,” according to the official site.
Camp Pendleton visitors must obtain DBIDS passes at the Camp Pendleton Visitor Center. Contractors & vendors will apply for their DBIDS credentials at Base Access Control.
All drivers and their vehicles operating on the installation must comply withthe State of California rules, including insurance minimums. They may be required to register their vehicles with the state upon arrival, including a smog test conducted in accordance with California standards.
Drivers under 25 may be required to attend and show proof of a Driver’s Improvement Course within a short time of relocating. All drivers are required to carry current liability insurance, current registration, and “proof of a valid Real ID Act-compliant [or state-approved extension] driver’s license. ”
Camp Pendleton Schools
Several schools are local to the Camp Pendleton base. The Camp Pendleton School Liaison Officer (SLO) can help parents make decisions and guide the enrollment of children. Children will attend school based on their home address and, if applicable, special circumstances.
Contact the SLO at (760) 763-7385 for specific guidelines and details. When enrolling at any of the schools aboard Camp Pendleton, bring student immunization records, grades/report cards, and birth certificates.
Students will be required to be up to date on immunizations as per the San Diego Health and Human Services official website. For Kinder through 8th-grade students, these schools include:
- North Terrace Elementary (757) 901-7500
- Stuart Mesa K-8 School (760) 901-7700
- Mary Fay Elementary School (760) 731-4050
- San Onofre K-8 School (760) 731-4360
- Mary Fay Middle School (760) 731-4050
- Santa Margarita Middle School (760) 901-7900
Busing may be available for high school students, as there are no options available on base. To arrange for bus service for high school students, call the School Liaison at 760-763-7385.
Colleges and Universities
Camp Pendleton’s Base Education Center fosters relationships and offers programs through the following universities, combining on-base in-person classes and online classes to pursue degrees. Service members may apply and attend the following universities through the Base Education Center:
-
- National University (4-Year Programs available)
- Palomar College (2-Year Programs available)
- Central Texas, Based in Commerce
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Contact the Camp Pendleton Base Education Center at (760) 725-6660 to learn about your options at the University Center or any of the individual schools represented.
Related: Ultimate GI Bill Guide
Camp Pendleton Surrounding Area
The Marine Corps Mechanized Museum is a good place to start for those looking to explore near the base. Venturing from the base, Oceanside is the nearest city.
Oceanside has outdoor attractions such as Harbor Beach, Oceanside Pier, and plenty of places to try windsurfing and other aquatic sports. There are wine and border tours; visitors can take city tours, visit Legoland California, or check out the California Surf Museum.
San Diego is a short drive beyond Oceanside; however, it offers beach access and other major attractions, including the San Diego Zoo and the USS Midway Museum. Major league sports, including the San Diego Padres, call San Diego home. PGA golf tournaments also take place here, making San Diego a worthy day trip.
Camp Pendleton History
Camp Pendleton was built to accommodate growth when the United States entered World War Two in the 1940’s.
In 1942, the United States Marines secured a 130,000-acre area of land, Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores, and named it after Major General Joseph Henry Pendleton. The location met the need for large training facilities and was well situated in Southern California.
In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared a national emergency, which underscored the need for amphibious warfare training on a much larger scale than before. The first to train on-site at Camp Pendleton were the 9th Marine Regiment.
In the 1940’s, Camp Pendleton also employed the first female Marine Corps reservists. After World War Two, the site continued to serve the military community, training over 200,000 Marines before their assignments in Korea and Vietnam.
Decades later, in the 1980s, Camp Pendleton led the way in expeditionary tactical training that merged infantry, aircraft, supply operations, amphibious, and armored operations. The approach developed here has been used worldwide, including in Bosnia, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, and Afghanistan.
Today, 38,000 military family members call the base home. During the workday, the military and civilian personnel number over 70,000. Spanning over 2,500 buildings and stretching over 500 miles of road, Camp Pendleton’s innovation and sheer size have solidified its role as a major Marine Corps operational site.
California Military Bases
The State of California offers a wide range of veteran benefits programs. The state also provides veteran service officers across a wide range of California counties; these officers can help you file claims for VA benefits, compensation, and housing. You can also look up veteran benefits in the State of California.
Air Force Bases in California
Did you know? The State of California offers military family members a benefit known as the California College Fee Waivers Program for Veterans’ Dependents. It waives tuition and mandatory fees for classes at any California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus. The payment is limited to tuition and fees and does not cover books or lodging.
Defense Logistics Agency Centers in California
Space Force Bases in California
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- Vandenberg Space Force Base
- Los Angeles Air Force Base (LAAFB is part of Space Force, but at press time, the base is still designated as an Air Force base, not a Space Force base.)
Army Bases in California
Get more info on VA benefits for veterans, retirees, separating service members, spouses, dependents, and disabled veterans. Learn more about the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon program, monthly housing allowances, VA loans, and TRICARE.
Marine Corps Bases in California
Navy Bases in California
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- Naval Air Facility El Centro
- Naval Base Coronado
- Naval Air Station Lemoore
- Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
- Naval Base Point Loma
- Naval Base San Diego
- Naval Base Ventura County
- Naval Support Activity, Monterey/Naval Postgraduate School
- Naval Information Warfare Systems Command
- Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach
- Naval Base Coronado (eight Navy installations, including Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado; Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado; Naval Outlying Landing Field, Imperial Beach; Naval Auxiliary Landing Field, San Clemente Island; and Silver Strand Training Complex, Coronado)
Reserve and National Guard Bases in California
Did you know? The State of California has been helping veterans and families obtain affordable home loans for 100 years. CalVets offers 30-year fixed-rate mortgages for veterans and their families through a network of participating lenders. This California state government program is just one of many options for veterans living in Orange County or anywhere else in the state.
Department of Veterans Affairs Locations In California
The Department of Veterans Affairs facility locator on the VA official site does NOT list all VA facilities in the state at press time. What follows is the VA’s current list of facilities based on the locator found on the VA official site:
VA Clinics In California
Oakhurst VA Clinic
40597 Westlake Drive
Oakhurst, CA 93644-9024
559-683-5300
Mental health: 559-683-5300
Fresno VA Medical Center
2615 East Clinton Avenue
Fresno, CA 93703-2223
559-225-6100
Mental health: 559-228-5336
VA Benefits Centers
VA Regional Benefit Satellite Office at Fresno
855 M. Street
Suites 150 and 155
Fresno, CA 93721
559-443-1491
Pre-Discharge Site at Naval Airstation Lemoore
937 W Franklin Ave
Lemoore, CA 93246
800-827-1000
VA Cemeteries
Big Sandy Rancheria Veterans Cemetery
37387 Auberry Mission Rd.
Auberry, CA 93602
559-374-0066
VA Vet Centers
Fresno Vet Center
1320 East Shaw Avenue
Suite 125
Fresno, CA 93710
559-487-5660
Please review our complete list of Military Bases by State.
About the author
Kena Sosa is an award-winning author, filmmaker and percussionist. She
earned her BA from OLLU and her MBEGT from SMU. She published two
award-winning children’s books. Kena has written for CBS/DFW Local and
Multicultural Review Magazine. She was the Guest Editor for the Fall/Winter
2023 ChildArt Magazine issue. Kena has written for Recon Media since 2023.
