Welcome to the Marine Corps' premier West Coast expeditionary training base. Spanning over 125,000 acres of Southern California coastline, a PCS to Camp Pendleton means living in a place most people only get to vacation.

Area Overview:

• Location & Climate: Camp Pendleton is enormous, stretching from Oceanside in the south to San Clemente in the north. The climate is near-perfect Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and mild, sometimes rainy winters. "May Gray" and "June Gloom" are real phenomena where the coast is overcast in the mornings.
• Local Vibe: The culture is heavily influenced by the Marine Corps and a laid-back surf lifestyle. The cost of living is very high, which is a major factor for families stationed here.

On-Base Housing & Amenities:

• Housing: On-base housing is managed by Lincoln Military Housing and is extremely popular due to the high cost of living off base. Housing areas are spread out across the massive installation, so your assigned housing area can dramatically affect your commute.
• Amenities: The base is a self-contained city. It has multiple exchanges and commissaries, a large naval hospital, movie theaters, and incredible MWR facilities. The base's private beaches, Del Mar Beach and San Onofre Beach, are major perks.

Local Housing Market & Popular Neighborhoods:

• Oceanside: The most common and relatively affordable city for off-base living, located directly south of the Main Gate.
• Carlsbad/Vista: Slightly more upscale communities south of Oceanside with excellent schools and a more suburban feel.
• Temecula: A popular inland option, about a 45-minute drive east from the Fallbrook gate. It's known for its wineries, newer and larger homes, and a lower cost of living compared to the coast. The commute can be challenging.
• San Clemente: A beautiful but expensive beach town just north of the base.

Schools & Childcare:

• On-Post Schools: There are several well-regarded DoDEA schools on base for residents.
• Off-Post Schools: The school districts in Carlsbad, San Marcos, and Temecula are all highly rated.
• Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers (CDCs) are available on base, along with a robust Family Child Care (FCC) program. Waiting lists are long.

Things to Do & Pro-Tips:

• Local Must-Dos: Visit LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad. Take a surf lesson in Oceanside. Spend a day exploring the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park, just an hour's drive south.
• Insider Info: The base is huge, and traffic between different areas can be significant. The Fallbrook (East) Gate is often used by those living in Temecula, while the Main Gate and San Luis Rey Gate serve Oceanside. Learn your gates!
• Weekend Trips: You are perfectly positioned. Disneyland is an hour north. The mountain town of Big Bear is 2.5 hours away for a change of scenery. Mexico is just a short drive south for a day trip.