219,000
Population
Sunny Days: 266
85100 Affordability
95100 Schools
100100 Diversity
90100 Safety
Living in San Diego: Military, California
Sunset on the Pacific
Downtown San Diego
Wine & Food Festival, Credit: San Diego Magazine
The San Diego County Area
A Sun-Drenched Paradox
If you're incoming Navy or Marine Corps personnel, buckle up (or perhaps loosen up); you’re about to embark on a Southern Californian odyssey of perpetual sunshine, insufferably perfect tans, beautiful neighborhoods, and long commutes (if you choose to live in the 'burbs).
What People Love (and Hate) About It
Let’s start with the obvious: the weather. It’s the perpetual 75 degrees and sunny cliché you’ve heard about, except it’s real, and it’ll lull you into believing winter is a myth. Naturally, this breeds an outdoorsy ethos. Everyone here is biking, hiking, surfing, paddleboarding, or simply walking aggressively.
As military personnel, you’ll find yourself in good company—San Diego is, after all, a military town at heart. The Navy and Marine Corps are woven into the city’s identity. You’ll experience camaraderie not just with your fellow service members but also with locals who grew up knowing someone stationed at Coronado or Camp Pendleton. Your uniform will get you thanks, occasional discounts, and a knowing nod from the guy behind you in the In-N-Out line.
That said, the military presence here is part of the scenery, not the whole show. Expect to blend into a civilian culture that, while grateful for your service, is busy figuring out their own very active lives. San Diego takes its food scene seriously but not pretentiously. It’s a city where a Michelin-starred chef might also be slinging $2 tacos from a food truck. Speaking of tacos, you’ll quickly learn that San Diegans have a near-religious devotion to Mexican food, especially Baja-style fish tacos. Pair them with a local craft beer—there are hundreds to choose from—and you’ll understand why no one here ever seems to leave.
Final Thoughts
San Diego County is a place where contradictions coexist beautifully. It’s both a Navy town and a haven for bohemian dreamers, a land of endless sunshine and deep droughts, a chill vibe with an undercurrent of ambition. It’s a place where you’ll work hard, play harder, and maybe, just maybe, find yourself lucky enough to stick around for a while.
When considering your move, it's helpful to understand how the area is organized. San Diego County is often described as being divided into several main areas:
Central San Diego
Central San Diego: Includes neighborhoods throughout the city of San Diego: Downtown, Little Italy, Gaslamp Quarter, Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, University Heights, Normal Heights, and Barrio Logan. It also includes the Point Loma peninsula and the city of Coronado. This is where young professionals, military students, military (singles and couples), artists, and LGBTQ communities live, and renters dominate the community. It's the center for social activity in the region, with tons of bars/restaurants, entertainment venues, and easy access to the waterfront.
Here are a few samples of popular apartment/condo buildings:
- 4th + J
- Market Street Village Apartments
- Pacific Gate Condos (rent or purchase)
East County
East County: Includes the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Poway, and Santee, as well as suburban and rural unincorporated communities such as Lakeside, Spring Valley, Jamul, and Alpine. Many also include vast swaths of the backcountry of San Diego County, also known as the Mountain Empire, in their definition of East County. Other sources consider communities within the entire eastern two-thirds of the county to be East County, including places like Ramona, Julian, and Borrego Springs.
North County
North County: Divided into Coastal and Inland cities/neighborhoods. Includes communities north of San Diego and all cities and communities - including and to the west of - Ramona and San Diego Country Estates. This includes: Carlsbad: A lovely beach town that's home to flower fields and Legoland California. Del Mar: A small, pretty Bavarian-style seaside town famed for its charming beach, fairgrounds, and horse racing track. Encinitas: A small picturesque beach town with wonderful surf, beachside camping, & coastal wetlands. Escondido: A large inland city, mostly suburban but with a few attractions. Fallbrook: An agricultural community along I-15 at the north edge of the county. Oceanside: The largest city of North County, with a beautiful beach and pier, coastal wetlands, and Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, the largest of the Spanish missions in California. Poway: A large suburban community mostly surrounded by San Diego just off I-15. San Marcos: A mostly suburban community along SR 78 between Oceanside and Escondido. Solana Beach: A laid-back beach town with a lovely beach and plenty of shops and galleries. Vista: Mostly suburban community between Oceanside and Escondido, home to a couple of small historical attractions.
Additionally, portions of North San Diego are also considered part of North County. This includes San Pasqual Valley, home to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the sister park to the San Diego Zoo that contains massive African savanna exhibits.
South Bay
The South Bay, also known as South County, is an area in southwestern San Diego County, that includes the cities and unincorporated communities of Bonita, Chula Vista, East Otay Mesa, Imperial Beach, Lincoln Acres, National City, and South San Diego.
It runs alongside the San Diego Bay and the Mexico-United States border and includes the town of Imperial Beach, one of the most legendary surf spots in the world. Imperial Beach is also one of the last remaining "untouched" beach communities in California. Not yet overrun with development and wealthy interlopers.
Area Attractions
For The Kids (and the grownups)
There is seriously so much to do in Southern California. Individuals, couples, and families are all sure to enjoy their time here. From museums to beaches, San Diego has it all. Start in Balboa Park, an open green space near downtown San Diego, where you can find art and history museums, a Shakespeare Theater, a Japanese Garden, and lots of food trucks.
MUSEUMS: San Diego is sporting some serious military museums and memorials. Among the most popular are the USS Midway Museum, The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, and the San Diego Air & Space Museum. The USS Midway Museum is housed on the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier. One could spend days here exploring the history through tours, interactive exhibits, and a wide variety of events and activities. The USS Midway is even host to the virtual exhibition, The Wall of Gratitude, in which you can submit a photo of your Service Hero and have them honored with their brothers and sisters in service. The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is the only Marine Corps Aviation museum in the nation and worth a visit. Admission and parking are free to see all this unique museum has to offer. The San Diego Air & Space Museum offers an extensive collection of aircraft and spacecraft from all over the world, as well as simulators and special interactive activities for the kiddos. Admission is free for the active military.
BEACHES: The San Diego area is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in America, 70 miles of beaches, to be exact. Some local favorites are Mission Beach, La Jolla, and Del Mar. Enjoy surfing, bike riding, or just some relaxation. All of the beaches offer something a little different, and you could spend a while exploring all the beach life here has to offer.
FOR THE KIDS: If the beaches happen to get boring for the kiddos, there are tons of other things to occupy their time and energy. San Diego is home to the famous San Diego Zoo, which you are probably aware of, it’s also home to the 100-year-old Birch Aquarium and the San Diego Zoo Safari. Other excellent attractions for families include Legoland, Belmont Park, Sea World, and Aquatica. Aside from theme parks, favorite activities include whale watching, seeing the sea lions at La Jolla, or catching a baseball game at Petco Park. With so many options in San Diego, it’s hard not to have a good time while stationed here.
Cost of Living and BAH and Housing Costs
Pricey
San Diego (and Southern California in general) has an extremely high cost of living. Housing is expensive, and San Diego BAH rates are designed to match the average rental costs in the area. San Diego BAH varies depending on rank and whether or not you have dependents. To determine your BAH at Naval Base San Diego, use the BAH calculator.
The San Diego area is not an extremely affordable area to live in or buy a home in. With the median home price of $575,000, the local markets are quite a bit higher than the national average and a rate increase is inevitable. However, if you don’t mind paying what some refer to as a “Sunshine Tax,” San Diego is a beautiful place to live, work, and play.
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Living in San Diego: Military
San Diego: Military Bases
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Naval Base San Diego
Naval Base San Diego is located on the Pacific coast in San Diego, California, about 15 minutes from Downtown San Diego and 3 hours from Los Angeles, California. The base supports over 20,000 military members and serves as the home port of the Pacific Fleet. Being stationed in Southern California provides many opportunities for every sort of family. The location boasts beautiful beaches, outdoor fun, and plenty of close attractions to keep you busy throughout your time here.