Living in San Diego: Military Movers, California

Moving to San Diego on PCS Orders?

Sunset on the Pacific
Sunset on the Pacific
Downtown San Diego
Downtown San Diego
Wine & Food Festival
Wine & Food Festival

219,000

Population

Sunny Days: 266
85100 Affordability
95100 Schools
100100 Diversity
90100 Safety

Moving to San Diego on PCS Orders?

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 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.

This page walks you through the structure of the San Diego area. This includes, depending on your base, what life is like in each area, who tends to choose which city or neighborhood or school district, and what resources exist to make your transition smoother.


Major Installations

San Diego County is home to six major military installations — three Navy, two Marine Corps, and one Coast Guard — plus several specialized facilities. Together, they form one of the most active and diverse military regions in the U.S. Each has its own culture, commute realities, and nearby housing markets. Get details on each through the links below:


-Naval Base San Diego (32nd Street): Home port for the Pacific Fleet — 20,000+ sailors.
-Naval Base Coronado: Includes NAS North Island (aviation hub) and NAB Coronado (home of the Navy SEALs).
-Naval Base Point Loma: Submarine and information warfare operations, overlooking San Diego Bay.

Marine Corps

-MCAS Miramar: “Home of the 3rd MAW,” aviation and logistics.
-Camp Pendleton: Massive training base along the coast between San Diego and Orange County.

U.S. Coast Guard

-Sector San Diego: Covers law enforcement, search & rescue, and environmental protection.

Supporting Installation

-Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego – Historic training facility adjacent to downtown. Important operationally, but typically a short-term duty station rather than a full PCS relocation base.


Where to Live

San Diego County is vast, roughly the size of Connecticut, and each region feels distinct. Most military families live off-base, so it helps to think of the area in four main regions: Central San Diego, North County, East County, and South Bay.


Downtown San Diego

Central San Diego

Includes: Downtown, Point Loma, Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, University Heights, Coronado.
The Vibe: Lively, walkable, close to the water, and packed with restaurants, shops, and city energy.
Good For: Singles, couples, and dual-military households who want short commutes and an urban lifestyle.
Commute Reality: Close to NB San Diego, MCRD, and Point Loma.

What People Like: Quick access to Balboa Park, the Zoo, and the waterfront. Active nightlife and a strong sense of community.
What to Know: High rents, limited parking, and plenty of background noise from the harbor and airport.

Popular Neighborhoods
-Point Loma: Near NB San Diego and the submarine base, with classic coastal homes and a family feel.
-Coronado: Safe, scenic, and walkable, ideal but highly competitive.
-North Park / South Park: Artsy, historic neighborhoods with cafes and craftsman homes.
-Hillcrest: Vibrant, LGBTQ+-friendly, and centrally located.


Lake Murray Fishing Spot

East County

Includes: La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Poway, Lakeside, Jamul.
The Vibe: Suburban to semi-rural, with more space and lower housing costs.
Good For: Families who value quiet neighborhoods, bigger yards, and top inland schools.
Commute Reality: 30–45 minutes to most bases, depending on time of day.

What People Like: Tight-knit communities, parks, and mountain views.
What to Know: Hotter summers and longer drives to the beach — but solid value for your BAH.

Popular Neighborhoods
-Poway: Highly rated schools, safe streets, family-friendly.
-La Mesa: Charming older homes, vibrant village center, access to trolley lines.
-Santee: Modern developments, good schools, affordable prices.


North County Coast

North County

Includes: Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos, Encinitas, Escondido.
The Vibe: Beach towns and family-oriented suburbs with an easygoing pace.
Good For: Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton or Navy families seeking great schools and suburban calm.
Commute Reality: 40–90 minutes to downtown bases, but minutes to Pendleton gates.

What People Like: Beautiful coastline, strong school districts, and close-knit communities.
What to Know: Coastal rents are steep; inland areas offer better value.

Popular Neighborhoods
-Oceanside: Right outside Camp Pendleton; mix of new developments and affordable apartments.
-Carlsbad: High-end family living, top schools, and small-town beach charm.
-Vista / San Marcos: Affordable inland options with newer homes.
Encinitas: Surf culture, excellent schools, and relaxed coastal life.


South Bay Beach at Sunset

South Bay

Includes: Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, Bonita.
The Vibe: Diverse, military-heavy, and family-focused.
Good For: Sailors at NB San Diego, Coronado, or Point Loma who want shorter commutes and community support.
Commute Reality: 15–35 minutes to most Navy bases.

What People Like: Affordable housing, bilingual culture, beach access, and close proximity to Mexico.
What to Know: Coastal fog and older infrastructure in some pockets; focus on Chula Vista or Bonita for best school options.

Popular Neighborhoods
-Chula Vista: Modern suburban layout, newer housing, excellent schools.
-Imperial Beach: Laid-back surf town with authentic local character.
-Bonita: Quiet, green, and central for commuting.


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.

Typical Housing Costs

Region---------------Median Rent-------Home Price-----Commute to Base
Central San Diego-----$3,000–$3,500----- $900K+---------10–20 min
North County---------$2,700–$3,200------$950K+---------40–90 min
East County----------$2,300–$2,700------ $750K----------30–45 min
South Bay------------$2,400–$2,800------$800K----------15–35 min

Typical 2025 Monthly BAH (Estimates)

Rank-----Without Dependents----- With Dependents
E-4-------$3,078--------------------$3,174
E-6-------$3,288--------------------$3,495
O-1-------$3,219---------------------$3,537
O-3-------$3,525--------------------$3,891
O-4-------$3,816--------------------$4,221


Family Support


Schools & Education

There are no DoDEA schools in San Diego, but several local districts work closely with military families and maintain excellent ratings.

District--------------------------Area-------------------Highlights
Coronado Unified------------------Coronado Island---------Small, high-performing, walkable schools
Poway Unified---------------------North County------------Top-ranked with strong STEM
Chula Vista/Sweetwater Union-----South Bay---------------Diverse, bilingual, innovation-focused
Oceanside Unified-----------------Near Camp Pendleton----Dedicated military liaisons
San Diego Unified-----------------Central SD---------------Magnet schools & program variety

High-schoolers can dual-enroll at local community colleges; universities like UC San Diego, SDSU, and USD offer veteran and spouse programs.


Childcare & Preschool Options

On-base Child Development Centers (CDCs) and Family Child Care homes offer trusted care but often have waitlists. Many families choose off-base options through YMCA programs, faith-based centers, or private preschools.

Typical tuition: $1,200–$1,800/month
Use Child Care Aware of America subsidies to reduce costs.


Spouse Employment & Education

San Diego’s economy is robust — especially in healthcare, biotech, education, defense contracting, and hospitality.
Frequent employers for spouses include Naval Medical Center SD, VA La Jolla, General Atomics, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, and UC San Diego.

Local colleges (National University, Miramar, Mesa, Palomar) offer flexible schedules for continuing education.

Career resources:
-MyCAA Scholarship Program
-Hiring Our Heroes – San Diego
-USO Pathfinder Transition Program


Healthcare & VA Access

Military & VA Facilities

Civilian Providers
Health Systems like Scripps, Sharp, and UC San Diego Health widely accept Tricare. Telehealth and urgent-care coverage are strong across the region.


Community & Support Resources

San Diego has deep military roots and plenty of support for families adjusting to PCS life.

Local organizations:


Final Thoughts

San Diego has been welcoming service members and their families for generations. It’s a place that understands deployments perhaps better than any city and region in the country.

Whether you’re here for one tour or planning to retire, which so many service members do, San Diego is seriously rewarding, with unbeatable weather and lifestyle, and amazingly supporting communities.

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Living in San Diego: Military Movers

San Diego: Military Movers 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.