Military Bases in California
The unofficial survival guide for military families in California.
Air Force Bases
Beale AFB
Located in Beale Afb, California
Beale AFB sits in Beale Afb, California, serving as a key hub for the U.S. Air Force. This base is renowned for its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, hosting the U-2 Dragon Lady and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft.
Edwards AFB
Located in Edwards Afb, California
Edwards AFB in Edwards Afb, California, is a premier U.S. Air Force installation known for cutting-edge flight testing and aerospace innovation. The base is home to the Air Force Test Center and the famed Test Pilot School, offering on-base housing, access to quality schools, and a close-knit community.
Los Angeles SFB
Located in Carson, California
Los Angeles SFB in Carson, California, is a United States Space Force installation renowned for its pivotal role in space and missile systems acquisition and development. The base is home to the Space Systems Command, supporting satellite launches and space domain awareness.
March ARB
Located in Riverside, California
March ARB in Riverside, California, is a major Air Force Reserve installation supporting air mobility and refueling missions. This base is home to the 452nd Air Mobility Wing and offers a mix of on-base and off-base housing options, with access to quality schools and Southern California amenities.
Travis AFB
Located in Fairfield, California
Travis AFB in Fairfield, California, serves as a major hub for the U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command. Known as the "Gateway to the Pacific," the base supports global airlift and refueling missions and houses the largest medical center in the Air Force.
Vandenberg SFB
Located in Lompoc, California
Vandenberg SFB sits near Lompoc, California and serves as a critical hub for the U.S. Space Force. The base is known for launching satellites, missile testing, and space operations.
Army Bases
Fort Hunter Liggett
Located in Jolon, California
Fort Hunter Liggett in Jolon, California is a U.S. Army installation known for its vast training areas and support of Reserve and National Guard units. The base offers a mix of on-base lodging and limited off-base housing, with local schools and essential amenities nearby.
Fort Irwin
Located in Fort Irwin, California
Fort Irwin in Fort Irwin, California, is a key U.S. Army training center known for the National Training Center (NTC), where units prepare for large-scale combat. The base offers on-post housing, schools, and essential amenities, but its remote Mojave Desert location limits off-base options.
JFTB Los Alamitos
Located in Los Alamitos, California
JFTB Los Alamitos sits in Los Alamitos, California and supports the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, and other joint military units. The base is known for its aviation training facilities, community events, and proximity to Orange County amenities.
Presidio of Monterey
Located in Monterey, California
Presidio of Monterey in Monterey, California, is a premier Army installation known as the home of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. The base specializes in advanced language training for all branches, drawing a diverse military population.
Marine Corps Bases
Camp Pendleton
Located in Marine Corps Base Camp Pendlet, California
Camp Pendleton sits in Marine Corps Base Camp Pendlet, California, and is a vital hub for the United States Marine Corps. Known as the West Coast’s largest amphibious training base, it supports a wide range of operational units and offers extensive on-base housing, schools, and family amenities.
MCAGCC Twentynine Palms
Located in San Diego, California
MCAGCC Twentynine Palms sits near San Diego, California and serves as the largest Marine Corps base in the country. This installation is known for its vast desert terrain, making it ideal for large-scale, live-fire training and the home of the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command.
MCAS Miramar
Located in San Diego, California
MCAS Miramar in San Diego, California is a key Marine Corps installation known for hosting the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. The base supports Marine aviation operations and offers extensive on-base housing, top-rated schools, and easy access to San Diego amenities.
MCLB Barstow
Located in East Irvine, California
MCLB Barstow sits near East Irvine, California, serving the United States Marine Corps as a vital logistics base. It is known for supporting Marine Corps operations with storage, maintenance, and distribution of military equipment.
MCRD San Diego
Located in San Diego, California
MCRD San Diego in San Diego, California, is a premier Marine Corps training base known for shaping new Marines through rigorous recruit training. The base features on-base housing, access to top-rated San Diego schools, and proximity to city amenities.
Navy Bases
Balboa Hospital
Located in San Diego, California
Balboa Hospital in San Diego, California, is a flagship medical center for the U.S. Navy. Known officially as Naval Medical Center San Diego, it provides advanced care for military families and supports a large active duty and veteran population.
NAS Lemoore
Located in Naval Air Station Lemoore, California
NAS Lemoore sits in Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, and serves as the Navy's premier West Coast master jet base. Home to the Pacific Strike Fighter Wing, this installation supports F/A-18 operations and advanced pilot training.
NAS North Island
Located in San Diego, California
NAS North Island sits on the scenic Coronado peninsula in San Diego, California, serving as a major hub for the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet. Known as the "Birthplace of Naval Aviation," it hosts multiple aircraft carriers and aviation squadrons.
NAWS China Lake
Located in San Diego, California
NAWS China Lake sits near San Diego, California, and serves as a premier U.S. Navy installation for research, development, and testing of cutting-edge weapons systems. This base is known for its vast desert range, advanced technology, and support for both on-base and off-base housing options.
NBVC
Located in Monterey, California
NBVC in Monterey, California, serves as a vital hub for the Navy, supporting both fleet operations and research. The base is known for its mix of on-base and off-base housing, access to top-rated schools, and proximity to local amenities along the scenic California coast.
NBVC Point Mugu
Located in Point Mugu, California
NBVC Point Mugu in Point Mugu, California, is a key installation for the U.S. Navy, serving as a vital hub for naval air operations and missile testing. The base is recognized for its coastal location, advanced testing ranges, and support for both on-base and off-base housing options.
NBVC Port Hueneme
Located in Port Hueneme, California
NBVC Port Hueneme in Port Hueneme, California, is a key Navy installation and the West Coast homeport for the Naval Construction Force (Seabees). The base supports fleet mobilization, advanced logistics, and expeditionary operations.
NSA Monterey
Located in Monterey, California
NSA Monterey in Monterey, California, supports the U.S. Navy and is home to the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, a premier language training facility for all military branches. The base offers a mix of on-base and off-base housing, access to local schools, and proximity to the Pacific coastline and vibrant city amenities.
Naval Base Coronado
Located in San Diego, California
Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, California, is a major hub for the U.S. Navy’s Pacific operations. This installation is home to several commands, including Navy SEALs and aviation units, and is known for its extensive training facilities and waterfront access.
Naval Base Point Loma
Located in San Diego, California
Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, California, serves as a major hub for the U.S. Navy's submarine and undersea operations. The base is home to key submarine squadrons, research commands, and support units.
Naval Base San Diego
Located in San Diego, California
Naval Base San Diego sits in San Diego, California, and serves as the premier homeport for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. This base supports over 50 ships and commands, offering robust on-base housing and access to top-rated local schools and amenities.
California’s Military Installations
Welcome to California, a vital hub for U.S. military operations hosting bases across the Air Force, Space Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. From the flight testing grounds of Edwards Air Force Base to the expeditionary training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and the naval might of Naval Base San Diego, these installations support diverse missions. This guide to military bases in California explores their roles, history, economic contributions, and community life, helping U.S. service members and families thrive during PCS or TDY assignments in the Golden State.
A Legacy of Defense
California’s military roots run deep. The Presidio of Monterey, starting as a Spanish fort in 1770, became an Army post in 1846. Naval Base San Diego emerged in 1922 to anchor Pacific fleets. During WWII, bases like Camp Pendleton and Edwards Air Force Base, both founded in 1942, trained troops and tested aircraft. Naval Base Coronado, established in 1943, grew into a SEAL training hub. From frontier forts to modern test ranges, these bases have shaped California’s role in national security.
Powering the Economy
California’s bases fuel the state’s economy with over $50 billion each year, supporting vibrant communities from San Diego to Monterey. In Oceanside, Camp Pendleton sustains thousands of jobs, while Naval Base San Diego boosts the local waterfront. Bases like Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield and Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc drive growth through contracts and innovation. Families settle into 15,000 housing units, access DoDEA schools, and enjoy TRICARE clinics. MWR programs, like 2025 beach festivals in Coronado, connect service members to California’s sunny lifestyle.
Strategic Impact
California’s bases are essential to U.S. defense, shaping global operations. At Edwards, test pilots push aircraft limits, with 2024 trials advancing hypersonic technology. Vandenberg launches satellites, strengthening space defense. Camp Pendleton prepares Marines for rapid deployment, with 2024 exercises honing Pacific readiness. Fort Irwin’s desert ranges simulate intense combat, training thousands of soldiers. Naval Base Coronado sharpens SEALs for covert missions, while Lemoore’s jets ensure carrier dominance. These efforts keep the military ready, despite unconfirmed 2024 security concerns.
Community and Culture
California’s bases offer more than missions—they build communities. From Oceanside’s beachfront to Monterey’s historic waterfront, service members enjoy top-tier support. Housing, schools, and healthcare keep families connected, while MWR events, like jazz festivals in Monterey or airshows in Miramar, spark joy. Explore San Diego’s vibrant Gaslamp Quarter, hike Twentynine Palms’ Joshua Tree trails, or savor Lompoc’s wine country. California’s bases blend duty with the state’s iconic lifestyle, making assignments unforgettable.