Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Fuck this shit hole. I live in deluz housing and I HATE it here. Not just the housing but the whole base. They find every way to do things the most inefficient and inconvenient way. They take all your BAH to live in a rats nest. Take my advice when I say MOVE OFF BASE!!!

I love hanging out on base and seeing the recruits after their training. The drive through the base is really cool — and long. Watch the speed limit signs because they change quite frequently and be ready to show your ID and vehicle insurance card when entering.
It’s hard to say you’ve been to the safest place on earth, but being here you feel like you have been!
A massive shout-​out to all those who have and are serving our country to keep us protected and to bring law and order to other areas of the world. You our true heroes!

Camp Pendleton is huge and because of that it can take about 20minutes to get to the other side. If you live on base there’s really no reason to leave because they have just about everything you need right on base. They have Del Mar beach, tons of gyms, a movie theater, McDonald’s, a nice size lake and so much more. I was kind of surprised to see Cam Pendleton is on Unilocal but I should of known better. Oh they also have horse stables and a paintball park. Also depending on where you’re at you have to watch out for rattlesnakes they even have a street named Rattle Snake Canyon Rd. I like Camp Pendleton and sometimes wish I was living there again.

Welcome to the early 1960s mindset. The landscape resembles California from 100 – 200 years ago. Pendleton refuses to fully staff the entrance gates. Officers don’t work but just watch as traffic backs up hundreds of feet.
Bored kid traffic cops cruise up and down vandergrift stopping people on bogus invented charges. They don’t like the way your car looks the stop you. Traffic laws are different then in the civilian United States. The list of illogical and arbitrary rules is endless.
It’s a small town and high school mentality. They escape to Oceanside where they can be free of their leaders and drink to forget. And look at women. The height of culture at Pendleton is mcdonalds. Stores are staffed by rude incompetent workers. Both civilians and military gets treated like garbage.

What else can I say… it’s Camp Pendleton!

This base is huge! I entered through the San Luis Rey gate to visit family. The MP’s are attentive and professional — just what you expect! I didn’t do a lot of exploring but everyone was great! The housing area we visited in was beautiful and well kept!

A friend of mine works here. If that’s what you want to call it. Sure he’s a marine, but he’s also one heck of a nice guy. Which leads me to, the level of professionalism here. I’ve always been treated very nicely and respectfully.
What’s not to like about those who defend our freedom.

I always dread driving my Ma here for doctor appts since you think once you get off the fwy to on base you think that’s it. WRONG! You got to drive how many more miles (yes, miles!) to get to the hospital. Thank goodness they have the brand spanking new hospital right where the gate is. Even the new MCX is located close to the gate. So it’s not much of a hassles & frustration to come on base.

It’s place to work or train with Marines. So why wouldn’t you be happy to come in every day. This place is one of the largest of the Marine Corps bases it offers pretty much everything when it comes to training. It also offers a lot of things to do if your with your family or a single Marine living in the barracks.

One of the most sought after duty stations in the Marine Corps! The base offers a great deal of nearly everything for any and all. Its proximity to all the incredible local attractions should also not go without mention.
Home to training ranges, shopping, living areas, and an assortment of entertainment options, you can really stay on base for weeks and have something to do all the time. The beaches on Camp Delmar allow alcohol!!! A rare find out here in SoCal with its miles and miles of dry beaches. There is a new paintball park, Exchange, a mini West Coast Customs, and a new Hospital is nearly complete, home of the ONLY Dunkin Donuts on the west coast. Naming everything would take far too much space on here.
If you ever plan on visiting just remember… this is a Military Installation above all else. That cigarette but you flick out of your window and forget is not acceptable behavior here. 10 over will likely land you a ticket and those hand and arm signals people seem to love on the highway will land you a one way trip off base.
Its a great place to work, live, and play! I have loved my time here and consider myself very lucky. Enjoy!

This is one of the biggest Marine Corps bases out there. There are several gyms, medical and dental facilities, base exchanges, commissaries here in Camp Pendleton.
There are facilities here where you can get really cheap movie and theme park tickets and passes. There’s plenty of restaurants with the majority of them located at the south end near Oceanside.
There are a lot of trails for running or biking at the base. I found a lot of rattle snakes on my random hikes here. These guys host a lot of races too including the famous mud runs.
There’s also a secluded beach at San Onofre where you can go camping or just go for a swim and go paddle boarding. You do need to make reservations to reserve your camp site many months in advance.
This is my go to place to get groceries.

I have been to Camp Pendleton a number of times through the years. I have seen both good and bad as you find with any military installation.
When I was a boy scout as a kid, we would come here to go camping and do some wilderness trips. Some of the most epic games of Capture the flag occurred in the hills of Camp Pendleton back then. Absolutely awesome times.
Then recently a close friend of mine retired from the Corp. So I was able to go back specifically for his retirement celebration at Camp 33.
Well, some of the base still looks like 1952 and some of the base was fairly modern and well put together. It didn’t help that the guys at the gate when I entered didn’t have a clue as to where I needed to go and told me the wrong place. *SMH* grumbles…
PRO TIP: If you are going on base and are not familiar with it, the guard won’t provide a map, stop at a gas station as they do know exactly where you need to go in most cases on base.
Overall the roads were in good condition (translation 10,000 times better than LA county but not as nice as Orange County). Many of the older buildings needed a fresh coat of paint or to be replaced and the new buildings looked absolutely awesome.
The case is divided into multiple camps with each one having some special stuff I think. Overall it was an enjoyable sojourn into the heart of the Corp’s Pacific Coast Presence. HoooooAhhhhhh! Congratulations on your retirement Gunnery Sergent Sinclair!

Nothing beats a 0530 run in silkies on a cold freezing morning!
What can I say this place has changed so much since the last 2 wars. The weather is always different here, it is nice and breezy outside the gates, the minute you come into pendleton –ITS a whole new world. the weather and temperture changes. extremely hot and humid or cold and freezing. The hills! ahh the hills.

Having come here from nearby MCAS Miramar, I was intimidated by the sheer size of Camp Pendleton. I was so used to having the commissary, base theater, gas stations, Pass/​ID, restaurants and the MCX all within walking distance. So, while the base is very large, it doesn’t take long to get acquainted with the commonly frequented spots.
Some of the housing is newer than others. We were fortunate to live in a very large, new townhome. As with any place, whether it be on station or off, you are going to find you have good and bad neighbors.
I thoroughly enjoyed Lake O’Neil, bowling alley and base theatre for cheap entertainment value. Great BBQ place opened up in the bowling alley parking lot in 13 Area.
Base fitness centers should not be overlooked — they are as good if not better than the gyms you will find off base — even better, they’re FREE! Drawback is NO CHILDCARE is available.
New Hospital is going in on the I-​5 (Main Gate) side of base.
DelMar Beach Resort offers camping, cabana rentals and cottages. I didn’t spend much time on the north end of base but San Onofre has a decent beach area as well, small commissary and tiny, older (and in desperate need of a remodel) MCX.
The veterinary care on base was VERY inexpensive and offered top-​notch care.
Outside of base are a myriad of restaurants, a movie theatre, and access to commuter railway transportation. I especially loved walking on the Oceanside Pier at dusk/​sunset. There are bootcamp style clubs that meet on various days (usually mornings) down at the Pier/​Ampitheatre area.
Pretty area with mild temperatures nearly year round.

I’ve been to this base millions of time throughout my life. It has absolutely everything you need and more. My first visit was in the early 90s when I would visit my older cousin and his family living on base housing. The next visit was for Combat Training as I had sought to emulate my older cousin. Later on in the coming years, I found myself permanently stationed on Camp Pendleton and living in barracks rooms across the entire 22 Area. After exiting the military and leaving to go to college, I found myself right back on base working as a civilian contractor. This place will always have a special place in my heart because of all the years spent working on it.
Oorah and Semper Fi!
RS Padua (SGT/​USMC, 2002 – 2007)

Oorahh! Hello marines! Go Navy!
I would drive by Camp Pendleton all the time on my way home from Naval Station 32^nd Street and on my way back to base always in the early morning I was very familiar with the I-​5 north and south to and from San Diego. I can’t say I hated, but back then I probably did? Now that I’m older and think about it? I actually do miss those drives.

OOH-​RAH!
The few. The Proud. The MARINES!

If your an outdoor enthusiast or love to workout outdoors, can’t beat Pendleton!
Miles and miles of off road/​trails for running/​mtn biking/​hiking (that’s obviously safe from training exercises).
Great base for outdoors. It’s like a refuge from S. California congestion. The way S. Cal was before the congestion.
For runners: recommend Lake Oneil by the Hospital-​great for running. They also have a camp ground there as well.

Wow a review for base cool. Ok I gave base 3 stars mainly because they totally forgot about the North end of base. To commissary in San O. is dismal. The only good this is we have a pass and I.D. and a Sonic there. This PX in Mateo is small and only housing junk food. I would like to see it maybe double in size and have a larger selection of electronics, clothing, and out door equipment. Kinda of like a mini px like the on in San O.
I think that the prices for most of the Rec check out equipment is fantastic, some of them however should be looked at however! Simple business, you’re not making any money having your stuff just sit there. If you make it cheaper Ill rent it and you make some money.
I would like to see a really cool HOT nightclub on base and open for civilians. I also think a good bar on base would be interesting to see as well.
Why cant we take the kayaks out of the harbor at DelMar?
Why are pitbulls banned? They have one of the highest temperament rating. Labs and German Sheppard’s have a lower temperament rating fair is fair why dont you ban them, statistically they are more likely to bite someone than a pit is.
Please make a highway from the 5 straight through base to fall brook with a hand full of exits. Im tired of my marines going to main side for a 5 min appt. and they spend 1.5 hrs of it driving. We have better stuff to be doing. I like the prices at the px! Why isnt our gas tax free though? As well as I find better gas princes in town usually WFT? All in all though great base and Ill be sad to leave!
Wait Ill give you 4 stars, you’ve been good to me :)

Whump Whump Whump…
«The sound of gunfire, off in the distance, I’m getting used to it now…”(
)
Ah, the boys were at it again, blasting the hills with artillery and rocket fire.
I imagine there are some vets who cringe with the memories of combat whenever they hear these sounds, involuntarily duck when they feel the percussion echoing off canyon walls.
Though my experience under the gun was limited and realizing that these are the sounds of freedom, a price paid to surf this great break that happens to be on an active and very busy Marine Corps base, I’m happy that about all I do is pee in my wetsuit… just a little. The waves are worth it.
It’s hard to describe the affect of incoming or out-​going artillery but it’ll scare the crap out of the hardest and bravest. Now and then, a pair of deadly-​looking Sea Cobras will scream overhead and bank into a hard-​right turn into the hills. If you can pay the price, then welcome to Camp Pendleton, USMC.