So, you got orders to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Congratulations! You are about to enjoy a few years in one of the most beautiful areas of the country. Yes, it can be expensive here. The rush hour traffic is something you’ll learn how to navigate. But the wonderful climate, landscape, and access to multitudes of activities more than make up for those drawbacks. If you come here with a desire to make the most of it, I can almost guarantee you will love it your time here!
WHERE IS MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO
MCRD San Diego is one of many military bases in the San Diego area. Located off the I-5 next to the San Diego airport, it is one of the lower profile military bases here. Most people think of San Diego as a Navy town, but its also among the most historic. It was founded in 1921 and by 1923 was fully functional as a Marine training center. It is currently where all the male recruits from West of the Mississippi are sent to undergo the rigorous training process that will allow them to become Marines.
ON BASE
Lincoln Military Housing San Diego is the current provider of military housing. None of it is actually on-base; however, the Point Loma housing area is directly outside of the MCRD gates. There are a variety of housing areas throughout San Diego County. The wait list and availability of housing tends to vary, so be prepared for a wait.
OFF BASE
If you are looking to rent or buy while in San Diego, it is essential to define your priorities. In general, San Diego housing is costly. If you are ok with smaller living spaces (I.E., condo, apartment or townhouse) and enjoy the urban lifestyle, you have a lot of options in fun neighborhoods like downtown, North Park, South Park, Coronado, and Hillcrest. If you want/need more space, a yard, or a good school district; you will need to move farther out from Central San Diego. People speak highly of the school districts in East Lake and Poway. Coronado is a beautiful place to live, but the housing tends to be very expensive. You can check out local neighborhoods and find an A-graded agent at PCSgrades.com.
BAH & COST OF LIVING
You might be in for sticker shock when you move to Southern California. Most military families figure out a way to stretch their BAH and make it work. The median San Diego home value is $618,600 which is up 5.1% over the past year. Local real estate experts expect home values to continue to rise over the next 12 months.
Read reviews from Milfams in the San Diego area
ON BASE AMENITIES
The Command Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Any chapel on base can be reserved for weddings, retirements, or re-enlistments by active duty, reservist, active duty/reservist dependents and retirees. Families may be interested in the library, the MCX, the fitness center (with workout classes), the bowling alley, and the Marina. The Marina boasts a playground, gazebo and a rental center where paddleboards and kayaks can be taken out on the water for a nominal fee.
SAN DIEGO-WEATHER
San Diego weather is sunny and 75 degrees. It’s hard to complain about the typical San Diego climate. It is perfect weather for folks who love outdoor living. The temperature cools off a bit in the winter. You might need a light jacket in the evenings (layers are key!), and there are definitely some hotter weeks in the summer (up to the low 90’s). Many homes here were built without air conditioning so you may require a portable unit for those few hot weeks in July and August.
CULTURE & CUSTOMS
LOCAL CUISINE
Tacos are life here in San Diego. People aren’t joking about Taco Tuesday when you will find cheap tacos and drink specials at many Mexican restaurants. In general, there is great Mexican food here, but you can find food from every nationality if you look for it. From Brazilian steakhouses to sushi, to trendy vegan eateries, Mediterranean, Laotian, the list goes on. Of course all the typical chains you know and love will be found here too. Fast food aficionados rave about In and Out Burger so make sure to give that a try while here in Cali!
AREA ATTRACTIONS
FARMERS MARKETS
Almost every neighborhood in San Diego has a weekly farmers market. This is one of the best spots to buy local produce, sample artisan goods and buy food and drinks from the assembled food carts. The Little Italy Farmer’s Market on Saturday is one of the busiest and most fun to meander around.
GO ON A SAFARI
Safari Park is an affiliate of the world renown San Diego Zoo. They are both great places to spend a day soaking in the outdoors and checking out all the amazing animals. Military members get in for free and family members can buy discounted tickets at ITT.
HIT THE BEACH
We have gorgeous beaches all throughout San Diego County, from the picturesque coves in La Jolla to the dog beach in Coronado and the surfer’s paradise in Imperial Beach. There’s plenty of sandy real estate to settle on for a lovely day by the ocean.
FOOD/DRINK FESTIVALS
Taco and Margarita Fest, Beer Fest and Mac and Cheese Fest are just some of the popular events happening on the regular here in San Diego. Wandering around a waterfront park, listening to live music, drinking margaritas and sampling tacos from dozens of different restaurants… what could be better than that?
GO HIKING
Sunset Cliffs, Potato Chip Rock, Mission Trails, Cowles Mountain, Cabrillo National Monument: the list of fun, challenging and exciting hikes are endless. Some are dog and kid friendly, others are more challenging and best for those seeking a workout. You are guaranteed to find some that suit your needs.
BALBOA PARK
Home to miles of trails, historic architecture, a Spanish art village, and many museums, Balboa Park is a must-see while stationed in San Diego. The Botanical gardens are free to visit, as are a varying selection of museums every Tuesday.
SEE A BASEBALL GAME
The Padres call downtown San Diego home, and the Padres Stadium is a great place to catch a game! They have opening day festivals, beer festivals, and kid’s days, and frequently show fireworks after their games. They offer discounted tickets for military members, and the local USO often gets tickets donated so you may be able to catch a game for free! Or you can check for tickets from our friends at GovX.
EAT/SHOP/SEE A MOVIE AT LIBERTY STATION
Liberty Station used to be a Navy base that the city later converted into a shopping center. The area boasts tons of restaurants and a food court with local food vendors, cute shops, a museum, outdoor spaces and a luxury movie theater with seat-side service.
THEME PARKS— WITHIN 3 HOURS
SeaWorld, Legoland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Disney Land, Universal Studios Hollywood—there is no shortage of theme parks to take your kiddos to if you are so inclined! Also, don’t underestimate the annual San Diego County Fair for some campy local fun.
EASY DAY TRIPS
CORONADO—20 MINUTES
Tourists flock to Coronado in the summer, but it is also a year-round home for many San Diegans. The beaches on Coronado are beautiful! Many families enjoy bringing their pups to the dog beach for a fun outing. There are also many shops and restaurants worth checking out. The town hosts many events in the summertime, including Sunday afternoon concerts in the park. Furthermore, there are two large Navy bases on the island that military families can access. The Naval Air Station North Island has a newer fitness facility with an outdoor pool, as well as a movie theater, Navy Exchange and food court.
THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA—2 HOURS
Just south of LA, Santa Barbara is a lovely destination for a weekend away. With gorgeous beaches, a botanical garden, delicious food and wine there’s a lot to enjoy. LA itself is two hours away—so if you want to attend tapings of TV shows you love, check out the stars in Hollywood, or frequent some of the famous restaurants and bars it is a doable weekend trip. Beware of LA traffic driving up or down the Coast!
TEMECULA—45 MINUTES
A quaint little town just a short drive from central San Diego, Temecula is a great destination for a night away. It has some great restaurants but is most well-known for its wineries. Wine lovers should put this on the must-visit list.
MEXICO— 1 HOUR
While Tijuana is a well-known party destination (and one military members generally must avoid), there are other more family-friendly destinations that are worth checking out for a day or weekend trip. These include Ensenada and the Baja wineries. You can go on organized tours or do the research and drive around yourself. Fish tacos, wine, and cervesas… need I say more.
This post sponsored by PCSgrades.