Naval Base Point Loma Guide
Naval Base Point Loma, California
Naval Base Point Loma is a Navy base in San Diego, California. Naval Base Point Loma supports Pacific Fleet operations and is home to Los Angeles-class submarines. The base’s mission includes “support and services to float and shore commands,” according to the official site.
Learn more about Naval Base Point Loma, including contact phone numbers, childcare, education, and check-in procedures below.
Naval Base Point Loma History
Naval Base Point Loma’s history begins with the Army in 1852 when President Millard Fillmore designated around 1400 acres to become what is now part of the southern half of Point Loma.
That land was originally the site of Fort Rosecrans and served as an artillery training area until 1945. The fort was turned over to the United States Navy in 1959. The Navy Submarine Support Facility became operational there in 1963.
By the 1970s, the Navy considered re-designating the site as a shore command. According to DoD literature in 1974, the installation supported Navy Submarine Group Five, Submarine Squadron Three, Submarine Development Group One, and the Submarine Training Facility. In 1981 the Navy redesignated the site as a Naval Submarine Base.
The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission of the 1990s brought many changes to some stateside bases, including NB Point Loma. The BRAC era saw the base reorganize and consolidate; it became Naval Base Point Loma in 1998.
In the 21st century, NB Point Loma provides submarine support and hosts a variety of important tenant commands related to submarine warfare, tactical training, dry dock operations, and sea operations.
Naval Base Point Loma Surrounding Area
The San Diego area has many attractions to offer, and there is no shortage of Navy heritage on display here. You can visit the USS Midway Museum and take self-guided tours with narration by actual sailors who served aboard the Midway. In Balboa Park, the San Diego Air & Space Museum features restored aircraft from World War One to Vietnam.
San Diego has plenty to offer lovers of major league sports thanks to the San Diego Padres, and there are plenty of family-friendly attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, and San Diego Harbour cruises.
San Diego is a high-cost-of-living area, and you won’t want to travel here without researching the costs for lodging, food, and other necessities. If you are assigned to NB Point Loma, discuss the cost of living issue with your sponsor to get an idea of what to expect when you arrive.
Naval Base Point Loma Mission and Units
Naval Base Point Loma falls under the jurisdiction of Navy Region Southwest. Naval Base Point Loma supports 70 U.S. Pacific Fleet afloat and shore-based tenant commands. There are six installations within Point Loma, including:
- Naval Submarine Base
- Naval Mine and Anti-submarine Warfare Command
- Commander Third Fleet Headquarters complex;
- Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Headquarters;
- SPAWAR Systems Center
- Fleet Intelligence Training Command Pacific
Major missions and units here include the above and have included:
- Mobile Mine Assembly Group
- Information Warfare Training Command San Diego
- Naval Health Research Center
- Center for Information Dominance San Diego
- Hopper Intelligence Services Center
- Naval Information Force Reserve Region Southwest
- Space And Naval Warfare Systems Command Pacific
- Space And Naval Warfare Systems Headquarters
- Military Sealift Command Pacific
In-Processing and Check-In at Naval Base Point Loma
For many new arrivals, the first stop is Naval Base Point Loma Main Gate (Post 6) described on the official site as “the best place to get current information on ships in port and directions to your command.” Report to your gaining unit, and be advised that those checking into the base should call the Administrative Office at 619-553-0325.
After normal duty hours, on weekends and holidays, new arrivals should report to the Combined Bachelor Housing front desk Building 601.
Naval Base Point Loma Childcare
Childcare is in high demand in the San Diego area. NB Point Loma Child Development Centers (CDC) operate at Point Loma, but waiting lists will apply, and you may have better luck trying for options at nearby Naval Base San Diego, or one of the following alternatives:
- Naval Base Coronado
- Marine Corps Recruiting Depot
- Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
- Naval Medical Center
- Murphy Canyon
- Chollas Heights
- Liberty Station
Child Development Homes may also be available. These homes provide childcare in private residences as part of a Department of Navy program. These providers are supervised by the Regional Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) Department.
Go to Militarychildcare.com for information on childcare programs worldwide in the area. You can try a customized search for the care you need and submit a request for care from any location.
Naval Base Point Loma Housing
High demand for on-base homes combined with a higher cost of living in the area means there are plenty of waiting lists for military housing. There is a single housing agency for multiple military bases in the San Diego area, known as the Family Housing Welcome Center.
The center is at Naval Base San Diego and helps with housing needs for all military families in the San Diego area, including Naval Base Point Loma, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, and Marine Corps Recruit Depot.
Contact the Family Housing Welcome Center upon arrival at 619-556-8443 to learn more about waiting lists, cost of living issues, and how to find housing in the local area.
Single or unaccompanied military members are directed to visit the Billeting Office for room assignments on base. The office also assists new arrivals in locating housing in the local area; housing is not automatically assigned to unaccompanied sailors here.
The San Diego Housing Service Center partners with local landlords to provide active-duty military personnel with affordable off-base housing. Be sure to ask about this program when checking in.
Related: Basic Allowance for Housing Calculator
Commissary
There is no Commissary at NB Point Loma. Servicemembers typically use the Naval Base San Diego Commissary, which is located at:
2525 Callagan Highway
Building 3626
San Diego, CA 92136
619-556-8657
Naval Base Point Loma PCS and TDY Lodging
PCS and TDY season make finding temporary lodging a challenge. It’s best to make reservations as soon as you are able. Reservations can be made at the Navy and Marine Corps Lodge or with local hotel/motel operations.
If you cannot find military temporary housing, you must get a Certificate of Non-Availability to be reimbursed for off-base lodging.
When calling to make reservations, mention your PCS orders to get booking priority; call the Navy Lodge at 1-800-628-9466 or learn more at the Navy Lodge official site.
Naval Base Point Loma Transportation
There is no base transportation offered on Point Loma. New arrivals typically fly into San Diego International Airport, and you’ll want to coordinate your arrival with your sponsor or gaining unit as local traffic conditions can make getting to the base from the airport a challenge.
The usual ride-sharing, shuttles, and commercial taxi services may be available depending on the time of your arrival, tourist season, rush hour, etc.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
All drivers operating motor vehicles on NB Point Loma are required to comply with all State of California motor vehicle laws. This includes emissions testing, minimum insurance coverage, and vehicle registration. You must comply on and off base.
Military members stationed in California may qualify for an exemption from the California vehicle license fee but you must be the lessee or registered owner of the vehicle. You may not operate such exempt vehicles for commercial purposes.
To enter Point Loma, you must submit to a 100% ID check, random searches, and other measures as the mission dictates.
Naval Base Point Loma Schools
There are no DoD schools on board NB Point Loma. Military families with school-age children will send them to one of San Diego’s 47 independent school districts, depending on the family’s address.
You can use the San Diego Unified School District school finder to find the nearest schools. Some school schedules here may be more traditional, while others may feature year-round classroom attendance. Contact the Point Loma School Liaison Officer for more information at 619-553-8290.
Naval Base Point Loma Colleges and Universities
The Navy College Program (NCP) helps sailors earn college degrees “by providing academic credit for Navy training, work experience, and off-duty education,” according to the DoD. There are also a variety of colleges in the San Diego area:
Ask for in-state tuition waiver eligibility guidelines for military family members.
- University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
- San Diego State University (SDSU)
- University of San Diego (USD)
- San Diego Community College District
- Grossmont College
The area is also served by the San Diego Regional Occupational Program (ROP), which offers free occupational training programs to anyone age 16 and over. Get help or learn more by calling the Education Region Advisor at 619-556-3254.
Related: Ultimate GI Bill Guide
Naval Base Point Loma Contacts
Installation Front Gate
140 Sylvester Road
Naval Base Point Loma
San Diego, CA 92106
619-553-1011
Important Contact Numbers At Naval Base Point Loma:
- Child Development Center (619) 553-0765
- Emergency 911
- Emergency Management Officer (619) 553-0090
- Fleet & Family Support Center (619) 553-7505
- ID and CAC Card Processing (619) 556-9520
- Operator (619) 553-1011
- School Liaison Officer (619) 553-8290
- Patrick Wade CDC (619) 222-3400
- School Age Care Center (619) 556-5045
- Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (619) 279-2933
- Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-8255
- Youth Programs Center (619) 556-8491
- Naval Medical Branch (619) 532-8225
- Housing Service Center (619) 556-8443
- Navy Gateway Inns and Suites (Harbor Drive Annex) (619) 524-0557
- Navy Gateway Inns and Suites (Main Base) (619) 553-9380
- Unaccompanied Housing (Harbor Drive Annex) (619) 524-1597
- Unaccompanied Housing (Main Base) (619) 553-7530
Related: Ultimate Military Benefits Guide
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.
