March AFB Riverside: A California Assignment Full of Sunshine, Heritage, and Hear

Understanding March ARB: A Reserve Base First

March ARB is fundamentally different from a traditional active duty installation, and understanding that distinction shapes every housing, school, and daily life decision you’ll make. In 1996, following Base Realignment and Closure, March officially transitioned from active duty to an Air Force Reserve base — ending 78 years of continuous active duty presence. Today it operates as a multi-component, joint-service Reserve installation.

What this means practically: there is no on-base family housing, no on-base school, and no on-base family medical clinic. Personnel live entirely in the surrounding Riverside County communities. The base itself serves as a training and operations hub — particularly active on Unit Training Assembly (UTA) weekends when drilling Reservists rotate in — while permanent party Air Reserve Technicians (ARTs), active duty associates, and Guard personnel make up the consistent daily presence.

Key Units and Missions

The base covers approximately 2,075 acres and supports over 8,000 military personnel, civilian employees, contractors, and tenant unit members. The base operator is (951) 655-1110. The official website is march.afrc.af.mil. The mailing address is 895 Baucom Ave, March ARB, CA 92518.

BAH Rates — March ARB (Riverside, CA MHA)

March ARB falls under the Riverside, CA Military Housing Area. BAH here reflects Southern California’s significantly elevated housing costs — these are among the highest rates in the Air Force Reserve system, ranking March ARB among the top installations nationally for BAH. Use the DoD BAH Calculator with ZIP code 92518 for your exact grade and status. For full context on how to maximize your housing allowance, read the 2026 BAH rates guide.

Honest reality check on Southern California housing: Even with relatively high BAH, the Inland Empire rental and purchase market is expensive compared to most duty stations. Expect to do careful neighborhood-by-neighborhood research to find the best balance of commute, school quality, and housing budget. The further southeast you go — Menifee, Temecula, Murrieta — the more BAH typically goes versus cost, but commute times increase.

Enlisted BAH — Riverside MHA

Officer BAH — Riverside MHA

Many military families use the VA home loan — zero down payment, no PMI, competitive rates — to build equity in the Inland Empire market. While California prices are higher than most duty stations, the VA benefit eliminates the biggest barrier to entry. Median home prices in Moreno Valley and Perris are more accessible than coastal California, and the Inland Empire has historically appreciated well. Learn how your benefit works at pcspayitforward.com/va-home-loan.

Housing at March ARB

No On-Base Family Housing

As a Reserve base, March ARB has no on-base family housing. All personnel — ARTs, active duty associates, drilling Reservists on long-term orders, and Guard members — live in the surrounding Riverside County communities. This is a fundamental characteristic of this assignment, not an exception.

The March Inn (Temporary Lodging Only)

March ARB does offer temporary lodging through the March Inn, a 455-room facility in 10 buildings plus 15 houses used for temporary lodging (not permanent family housing). It reflects the base’s original Spanish architectural style with red-tiled roofs and stucco archways.

Critical planning note: The March Inn is generally unavailable on UTA weekends when drilling Reservists and Guard units occupy the facility for their monthly training. Availability is typically better Sunday through Thursday. Advance reservations may be made up to 60 days prior for available periods.

Off-Base Neighborhoods

The Inland Empire region around March ARB offers several distinct communities, each with different tradeoffs on commute, cost, school quality, and lifestyle. Most personnel choose based on their family’s school priorities, budget, and tolerance for the I-215/I-15 corridor commute.

Ready to lock in your housing plan? Get your personalized PCS Plan© to map out timelines, neighborhood priorities, and next steps for your specific situation.

Schools Near March ARB

Because there is no on-base housing or on-base school, your children’s school district is entirely determined by your home address. School quality varies significantly across the region — choosing a neighborhood with this in mind before signing a lease pays dividends.

The clearest pattern among military families at March ARB: those with school-age children who can absorb the longer commute consistently choose Murrieta or Temecula for the school quality. Families prioritizing proximity or budget typically land in Moreno Valley or Menifee. For school enrollment support during your PCS, contact the Military & Family Readiness Center at (951) 655-5350, or use the PCS Toolkit for school transition resources.

Healthcare at March ARB

March ARB is in the TRICARE West Region, managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance. There is no on-base family health clinic — the base medical unit focuses on deployment readiness and aviation medicine for assigned personnel. Families use civilian TRICARE network providers in the Riverside County community.

Update your DEERS record as soon as you arrive. For TRICARE enrollment, plan selection (Prime vs. Select), and finding network providers in your specific community, visit tricare.mil or the TRICARE West Region portal at tricare.triwest.com.

Off-Base Medical Facilities

Base Amenities

Despite being a Reserve installation, March ARB maintains a solid support infrastructure for permanent party personnel, ARTs, and activated Reservists.

Living in the Inland Empire: What to Expect

Southern California Reality Check

The Inland Empire — Riverside and San Bernardino counties — is genuinely one of the best-located duty station assignments in the U.S. military for access to outdoor recreation, entertainment, and lifestyle options. It is also one of the most expensive, with housing costs running 30–50% above the national average even in the inland communities around March ARB. BAH at the Riverside MHA is set to reflect these costs and is relatively high nationally — but Southern California is unforgiving if you don’t plan carefully.

The Inland Empire is also one of the hottest housing markets in California for VA loan buyers, because prices — while high nationally — are significantly below coastal LA and San Diego, making the zero-down-payment VA benefit especially powerful here. Many military families who have done this assignment say buying rather than renting was the best financial decision they made, particularly those who held the property as a rental after their next PCS. Learn more at pcspayitforward.com/va-home-loan.

Climate and Weather

Wildfire awareness: The Inland Empire and surrounding mountains experience wildfire risk, particularly during fall Santa Ana wind events and summer heat. Families should maintain an evacuation plan and understand the local emergency notification systems. Air quality notifications are also important — the Inland Empire frequently ranks among the worst air quality zones in California during high heat and fire periods.

Things to Do: The SoCal Advantage

This is where March ARB stands apart from nearly any other duty station in the Air Force. The location is genuinely extraordinary for weekend activities and family experiences.

Right on Base: The March Field Air Museum is one of the finest aviation museums in the country — 70+ aircraft, interactive exhibits, and an annual airshow (Thunder Over the Empire) that draws massive crowds. It’s open to the public and a source of real pride for everyone at the base.

Inland Empire and Riverside: Downtown Riverside is a genuinely charming small city — the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa is one of the most spectacular historic hotels in California and hosts the annual Festival of Lights in December that draws visitors from across the state. Mount Rubidoux offers accessible hiking with panoramic views. Lake Perris State Recreation Area is 15 minutes from base — swimming, boating, fishing, and camping. Box Springs Mountain Reserve is a quick hike with San Bernardino Mountain views.

Within 60 minutes: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (~60 min west), Knott’s Berry Farm (~55 min west), Universal Studios (~70 min west), Palm Springs (~45 min east with excellent mid-century architecture, hot springs, and hiking), Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead (~60 min into the mountains for skiing, hiking, and water sports), San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park (~90 min south).

Weekend trips: Las Vegas is ~3.5 hours east on I-15. Los Angeles proper is ~60–70 minutes west. The Pacific beaches at Huntington, Newport, and Laguna are about 60–75 minutes west. Joshua Tree National Park is about 75 minutes east and is world-class for hiking and rock climbing.

Connecting with the Community

The March ARB PCS Pay It Forward® group connects you with permanent party families, ARTs, and activated Reservists who know the area. Because March ARB is a Reserve base with a different community rhythm than active duty installations, the insight you get from people already here is especially valuable — particularly around which neighborhoods work best for which commute patterns, and where BAH stretches furthest.

For your complete PCS toolkit, visit PCS Resources. For guides on other installations across the country, use the Find Your Base directory. Planning a DITY/PPM move to California? Read the DITY move guide — California’s size and fuel costs make PPM planning especially important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there on-base housing at March ARB?

No. March Air Reserve Base has no on-base family housing — this is a fundamental characteristic of its Reserve base status since 1996. All personnel live in surrounding Riverside County communities including Moreno Valley, Riverside, Perris, Menifee, Murrieta, and Temecula. The March Inn provides temporary lodging only (455 rooms), and availability is limited on UTA weekends. Contact the Military & Family Readiness Center at (951) 655-5350 for housing referral assistance.

What are the 2026 BAH rates at March ARB?

March ARB falls under the Riverside, CA Military Housing Area. An E-5 with dependents receives $3,351/month; an E-6 with dependents receives $3,549/month; an O-3 with dependents receives $3,705/month; an O-4 with dependents receives $3,876/month. These are among the higher BAH rates in the Air Force Reserve, reflecting Southern California housing costs. Use the DoD BAH Calculator with ZIP code 92518 for your exact grade and dependency status.

What schools will my children attend near March ARB?

There are no DoDEA or on-base schools at March ARB. Your children’s school district depends entirely on your home address. Temecula Valley Unified and Murrieta Valley Unified are the highest-rated districts in the region and are popular with school-focused families, though they require a 35–45 minute commute. Moreno Valley Unified is closest to base (5–15 min) with mixed school quality — research specific campuses before choosing. Contact the Military & Family Readiness Center at (951) 655-5350 for school liaison support and enrollment help.

Is there a medical clinic on base at March ARB?

There is no on-base family health clinic. March ARB is in the TRICARE West Region managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance, and families use civilian TRICARE network providers throughout Riverside County. The nearest emergency care is Riverside University Health System Medical Center in Moreno Valley at (951) 486-4000, approximately 10 minutes from the base. Update your DEERS record immediately upon arriving. For TRICARE plan options and network providers, visit tricare.triwest.com.

What neighborhoods are most popular for families at March ARB?

Moreno Valley is the most common choice — closest to base (5–15 min), most accessible pricing for Southern California, and where the largest concentration of military families lives. Menifee is increasingly popular for its newer construction and community feel at 20–30 minutes. Murrieta and Temecula are the go-to for families prioritizing top-rated schools, but add 35–45 minutes to the gate. Perris is the most affordable option nearest base. Temecula also offers wine country atmosphere and excellent restaurants for families settling in for a longer assignment.

What TRICARE region is March ARB in?

March ARB is in the TRICARE West Region, managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance. There is no on-base MTF for family care. Update DEERS upon arrival and select a TRICARE plan (Prime, Prime Remote, or Select) that works for your location within Riverside County. For plan information and to find civilian network providers near your specific community, visit tricare.triwest.com or tricare.mil.

Is buying a home near March ARB a smart financial move?

For families planning 2+ years at March ARB, buying often makes strong long-term sense despite California’s high prices. The Inland Empire market has historically appreciated significantly, and the VA home loan — zero down payment, no PMI — eliminates the largest barrier to entry. Moreno Valley, Perris, and Menifee offer the most accessible entry points for BAH-based budgets. Many military families who PCS away retain the property as a rental, as Riverside County rental demand from the large area military and civilian population is reliable. Start the homebuying conversation early: pcspayitforward.com/va-home-loan.

How far is March ARB from major Southern California attractions?

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are approximately 60 minutes west via I-215/SR-91. Beaches (Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach) are 60–75 minutes west. Palm Springs is about 45 minutes east on I-10. Big Bear Lake and skiing are about 60 minutes northeast. San Diego is about 90 minutes south on I-15. Los Angeles is 60–70 minutes west. Las Vegas is approximately 3.5 hours east on I-15. Disneyland discount tickets are available through the base ITT office at (951) 655-4123.