Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Base Guide

This sprawling training base occupies over 125,000 acres of land, including 17 miles of undeveloped land on the picturesque Southern California coastline. The base’s diverse terrain offers amphibious and sea-to-shore training opportunities in addition to many large desert “tactical playgrounds.” It is located in the northern reaches of San Diego County, with downtown San Diego just 38 miles to the south. Los Angeles is roughly 82 miles to the north, but many Orange County attractions are just a short drive away.

Camp Pendleton is home to the I Marine Expeditionary Force (‘Eye’ MEF), which primarily includes the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 1st Marine Logistics Group. Other major commands at Camp Pendleton are Marine Corps Installations-West, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, Wounded Warrior Battalion West, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego’s Weapons & Field Training Battalion, and Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, just to name a few. Several training courses are hosted here as well, with the School of Infantry being the most notable.