Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Location: San Diego, California
Installation Type: Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Status: Active

Overview

Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego (MCRD San Diego) is located in the Mission Hills area of San Diego, California, adjacent to San Diego International Airport. MCRD San Diego trains all male Marine recruits from west of the Mississippi River through the demanding 13-week Recruit Training program. The depot has trained millions of Marines since its establishment in 1914. The National Historic Landmark parade deck and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture make MCRD San Diego one of the most distinctive military installations in the United States. San Diego is a world-class assignment for permanent party personnel given the exceptional climate, beaches, and lifestyle.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Conduct Recruit Training for male recruits from west of the Mississippi River; transform approximately 20,000 civilians annually into Marine Corps basic warriors through the 13-week program.
• Major Units: Recruit Training Regiment (RTR) headquarters; Multiple Recruit Training Battalions; Weapons and Field Training Battalion; Support Battalion; Marine Corps Recruiting Command support elements
• Tenant Units: Drill Instructor School (Western Region); Marine Corps District 12 (recruiting district); Command Museum of the Pacific

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: San Diego, CA (population approximately 1.4 million) – within city limits, near Mission Hills/Old Town; downtown San Diego – approximately 3 miles
• Nearest Commercial Airport: San Diego International Airport (SAN) – immediately adjacent to base boundary (one of the most dramatically close airport/military base relationships in the country)
• Gate Access: Main gate on Barnett Avenue; CAC/military ID required; recruit family member access coordinated during graduation weeks; the parade deck is viewable from outside; National Historic Landmark parade deck open for authorized tours

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,000 (permanent party; large recruit population of approximately 4,000-6,000 at any time)
• Family Members: Approximately 4,000 (permanent party families; recruits are unaccompanied)
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 800
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 8,000 (permanent party; plus recruit population)

Key Facilities

• Medical: Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) is the primary hospital (approximately 3 miles away); on-depot clinic provides routine care and recruit medical support; NMCSD provides comprehensive hospital services including specialty care; Rady Children’s Hospital adjacent to NMCSD
• Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) and facilities
• Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; pools; golf access at nearby military courses; auto skills; San Diego world-class beaches, Zoo, Balboa Park, and recreation opportunities; one of the best quality-of-life locations in the Marine Corps
• Schools: San Diego Unified School District serves most MCRD families given the urban location; no DoDEA schools; schools near MCRD vary; many families choose to live in suburban communities with higher-rated schools; Poway Unified is accessible from northern San Diego; Coronado Unified is small and excellent (across the bay)
• Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists common; register early; San Diego has extensive private childcare options
• Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Marine Corps Housing on base; limited family housing given the urban location and limited space; most permanent party live off-base
• Average Wait Time: Limited on-base housing; most families will live off-base; apply early if seeking on-base
• Off-Post Housing: San Diego County communities including North Park, Mission Hills (adjacent to base), Old Town, Mission Valley, Chula Vista, National City, Point Loma, and suburbs; average rent approximately $2,800-$3,800/month for 3-bedroom home; San Diego is among the most expensive housing markets in the country; BAH is high but housing costs are challenging; California has no state income tax on military pay for non-domiciliary military members
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil); San Diego BAH among the highest in the Marine Corps

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; recruit training regiment and support battalion sponsorship programs; DI duty at MCRD San Diego is a demanding and prestigious assignment
• In-Processing: MCRD San Diego in-processing; typically 2-3 days; DI School in-processing for new drill instructors
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Family Services Center; enrollment required; NMCSD, Rady Children’s Hospital, and UCSD Health provide outstanding specialist access; one of the best military medical communities in the country

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Mediterranean; year-round perfect; warm dry summers (average high 77F/25C in July); mild winters (average low 49F/9C in January); minimal rainfall; low humidity; approximately 266 sunny days per year; one of the best climates in the continental United States
• Cost of Living: Very high; San Diego housing is among the most expensive in the nation; other costs moderate to high; California overall high cost; BAH helps but housing remains challenging
• Nearby Attractions: MCRD San Diego is within San Diego city limits providing direct access to all San Diego attractions; San Diego Zoo (world-famous, 3 miles); Balboa Park (museums, gardens, 3 miles); Old Town San Diego (1 mile, California’s birthplace); Mission Beach and Pacific Beach (6 miles); Mission Bay waterfront; downtown Gaslamp Quarter; USS Midway Museum; Tijuana, Mexico (25 miles south); SeaWorld; Los Angeles (120 miles)
• Spouse Employment: San Diego metro offers outstanding employment in defense contracting, biotech/pharmaceutical, healthcare, technology, and tourism; one of the best employment markets for military spouses; MCRD San Diego’s urban location provides immediate access to all San Diego employment opportunities; Family Services Center assists

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://www.mcrdsd.marines.mil
• Main Installation Phone: (619) 524-1011
• MWR Website: https://mcrdsd.usmc-mccs.org (verify current URL)
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Marine Corps Family Services Center, MCRD San Diego; (619) 524-4238; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.mcrdsd.marines.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/marine-corps-recruit-depot-san-diego; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MarineCorpsRecruitDepotSan_Diego; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law