Camp Pendleton

PCS Marine Corps Base Guide

PCSing to Camp Pendleton: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating your PCS move to Camp Pendleton? The first rule of PSCing- knowing everything about your upcoming station, from housing options, medical options, educational opportunity and all. This guide offers essential tips and detailed insights to help you settle into your new military life smoothly.

Join Our Local PCS Military Support Group

Camp Pendleton PCS Pay-it-Forward®

Click here to Join Now
Serve your country and enjoy the nature and your career growth at Camp Pendleton

Preparing for a Move to Camp Pendleton

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves can be a significant milestone in a military career, involving logistics, emotions, and adjustments. As you prepare for your PCS to Camp Pendleton, understanding the complexities of military moves is crucial. This guide will walk you through the entire process, ensuring you know what to expect and how to handle various challenges.

What to Expect at Camp Pendleton

Overview of Camp Pendleton

Camp Pendleton is a United States Marine Corps base located in Southern California. In excess of 125,000 acres, it serves as one of the biggest training installations to the Marines with other military branches. The varied terrain offers an environmental training area is beyond compare anywhere else in the world.

The exercises include those for amphibious assaults, live firing, and combat simulations. This strategic location on the coastline gives the base a perfect location. From there Camp Pendleton plays a key role in the preparation and deployment for combat readiness by servicemen and women.

Pendleton offers a range of training opportunities for Marines and Sailors. It included specialized schools like the Assault Amphibian School Battalion, School of Infantry-West, Field Medical Service School, and Marine Corps University

Key Facilities and Services Available

Camp Pendleton provides various facilities to support training and operations, including barracks, training ranges, medical facilities, dining halls, and recreational amenities. It provides the best security to the military personnel, their families and the outsiders too. If you want to learn something and make your career grow faster, Cam Pendleton can be your choice.

Fun Things To Do At Camp Pendleton

You will never run out of fun things to do on your station time at Camp Pendleton. 

Camp Pendleton offers a wide range of recreational activities and facilities. The base is located near beautiful beaches and is surrounded by communities with numerous restaurants, parks, and attractions.

There are recreational amenities within the base, like a golf course, playland, and paintball.

Beyond the base, southern California offers an array of exciting experiences to military members. From hiking Torrey Pines, watching the seals at the children’s pool in La Jolla, to flying kites at Liberty Park there is always an adventure to be hand in San Diego county! 

Join Camp Pendleton PCS Pay-it-Forward®

for a copy of our Camp Pendleton bucklist!
Click here to Join Now

The Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton

One of the most unique services available to Camp Pendleton is their own YMCA. The Armed Services YMCA Camp Pendleton offers programs and services to enhance the lives of military members and their families.

Their programs are designed to address the unique challenges of military life and provide support to single or married enlisted personnel and their family members.

Living on vs Off Base

Deciding to live on or off base is a significant decision. 

There are many benefits to living on the base, like affordability, commute, convenience, and schools.

Yet, compare the price. The basic allowance for housing (BAH) covers the entire rent, gas, water, and normal electricity usage for on-base housing.

School-age children living on base can enroll and attend one of the five elementary schools found on the base, depending on which community they live in.

Unfortunately, the limited availability can make it difficult to find suitable housing in a reasonable timeframe.

Read more below…

Be ready to embrace the finest lifestyle in Camp Pendleton

Housing Options on Camp Pendleton

Camp Pendleton offers a variety of housing options for military personnel and their families. Here are some key points about the housing options at Camp Pendleton.

On-base housing at Camp Pendleton is popular. For this your wait times can range between 1 and 16 months. For this we recommend military members to explore their options on Lincoln Military Housing and DeLuz Family housing websites and join wait lists after getting the call.

These housing companies offer an assortment of housing sizes and styles based on rank and family size.

You can view the floor plan options, home features, and neighborhood amenities on their websites and join Camp Pendleton PCS Pay-it-Forward® for candid reviews and feedback from military families who are living on base.

Exploring off-base housing options is important. There is no guarantee a home will become available to you in a timely manor.

Neighborhoods Near Camp Pendleton

Consider things like price, transportation, school etc. to choose the neighborhoods near Camp Pendleton. Here are just a couple of communities that our local PCS Pay-it-Forward members recommend time and time again.

Rancho Del Oro, Oceanside, CA

This neighborhood is located in central Oceanside, approximately 4.8 miles away from the San Luis Rey gate to Camp Pendleton. Rancho Del Oro offers various types of homes, including condominiums, townhomes, and large estates. It is close to downtown Oceanside, with its pier, shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The neighborhood provides quick access to nearby beaches in Carlsbad.

Temecula, CA

Temecula is a city located about 35 miles from Camp Pendleton. Orange counties and San Diego, Temecula is affordable. People consider them as a commuter town. Temecula offers a thriving community and various recreational opportunities, including a beach community and a local school system with programs for all ages.

Murrieta, CA

Murrieta is located 35 miles away of Camp Pendleton. It is known for its single-family home tracts and beach community, offering picturesque views and recreational opportunities. Murrieta is considered a commuter town, with many residents commuting to work in San Diego or Orange counties

Turn PCS to Camp Pendleton fun and exciting for you and your family

Practical Tips for PCSing to Camp Pendleton

Use Checklists and Stay Organized

Organization is the key to relieving stress on PCSing. The idea of living in southern California can be overwhelming. The amount of people, the cost of living, the affordability of homes, etc.

Focusing on what you can control with comprehensive checklists, PCS binder, a PCS budget tracker, etc ensures nothing is overlooked.

Manage The Cost of Your PCS to Pendleton

PCS move to camp Pendleton can be expensive. The cost of an average PCS move has risen 28 percent from 2001. Military members can expect to pay about $6,700 today for PCS. Keep it in mind. It is very important to prepare your finances for your military move. 

Military members want to be better at planning the costs and managing expenses associated with their move. Time and lack of experience creates constraints. This is why PCS Pay-it-Forward has created several resources to help.

Unlock our PCS Financial Checklist and PCS Downloadable Budgeting Templates

Join Camp Pendleton PCS Pay-it-Forward

Click here to Join Now

Final Thoughts on Moving to Camp Pendleton

Being stationed at Pendleton & making a PCS move to Camp Pendleton means living in a prime destination area. San Diego and Los Angeles are popular vacation spots, and you have the advantage of living in close proximity to both cities.

This allows for easy access to a wide range of entertainment, cultural attractions, and recreational activities.

Camp Pendleton will be one of your favorite duty stations!

find your Base
request pcs support
Join our Support Group
  • Connect with Local Military
  • Information About Local Schools
  • Desirable Neighborhoods
  • Military Owned Homes for Rent
  • Local Job Opportunities
  • Military Friendly Services

SAVVY PENDLETON HOMEBUYERS ®

Considering purchasing a home while stationed at Camp Pendleton join Savvy Pendleton Homebuyers® to learn more about the local real estate market, exclusive property walkthroughs and information on new construction properties. We are here to help you navigate the home buying process and make informed decisions every step of the way.

Request To Join

More PCS Resources and Support

Need help organizing your move? Check out these resources for a stress-free PCS!