Camp Pendleton is the largest United States Marine corps amphibious training base. It is the Marine’s major West Coast base. It is located in the San Diego North County real estate area and is bordered by Oceanside to the south, parts of Fallbrook to the east, and San Clemente to the north. For more than 60 years this facility has been San Diego North County’s largest employer. This former Rancho provides unique insight into the native chaparral landscape in which urban San Diego County was built. Camp Pendleton’s motto is “Preserving California’s Precious Resources” as it is home to endangered species and contains many California historical landmarks. It was originally named by the Portola Expedition “Santa Margarita y Las Flores.”
The base was dedicated in 1942 in the name of Major General Joseph Henry Pendleton to train U.S. Marines for service in World War II. General Pendleton was famous for his vision of Southern California coastal lands as ideal Marine Corps training grounds. By 1946 it was a permanent installation and was home of the 1st Marine Division. The Base is now home to the I Marine Expeditionary Force, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Logistics Group and many tenant units, including Marine Corps Installation-West, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Wounded Warriors Battalion-West, Marine Corps Air Station at Munn Field, Marine Aircraft Group 39, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego’s Weapons & Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps and Army Reserve Forces, the Navy’s Assault Craft Unit 5, a Naval Hospital and 1st Dental Battalion. The 125,000+ acres site’s ownership history reflects dramatically the history of California and the nation. In order to visit the base, guest must show identification, and proof of insurance and proof of registration at the gate. Two museums are available for one-and-a-half hour tours on the base. Most of the marines live on base. In fact, 38,000 military family members occupy on base housing. The daytime population reaches over 70,000. Those considering living off base should check out Camp Pendleton Off-Base Housing. Content by Gary Harmon.