Despite what Google Maps may lead you to believe, Camp Pendleton South and Camp Pendleton North aren't particularly close to one another. The northern half of the base is located much closer to the Orange County limits, in San Onofre, than Oceanside and San Diego. Keep that in mind when debating if one sounds better than another.
There's a lot to love about living in Camp Pendleton South, and not just because you're surrounded on a daily basis by fit military folk
Despite what Google Maps may lead you to believe, Camp Pendleton South and Camp Pendleton North aren't particularly close to one another. The northern half of the base is located much closer to the Orange County limits, in San Onofre, than Oceanside and San Diego. Keep that in mind when debating if one sounds better than another.
There's a lot to love about living in Camp Pendleton South, and not just because you're surrounded on a daily basis by fit military folk. Located right next to the stunning Pacific Ocean and about 30 minutes north of San Diego, CPS boasts gorgeous year round weather, proximity to recreational activities as well as commercial ones and a thriving singular culture. If you have pride in your country and respect for the hard work of the Marine Corps, it's time to seriously consider this location in your house hunt. Even if you're not swayed by sunny days and beaches (who are you?!), the lower cost of living (compared with the rest of SoCal) and abundance of rentals is definitely intriguing. Plus, with so many awesome nearby entertainments, from Oceanside's many restaurants to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (n̩e Wild Animal Park), you'll be hard-pressed to find another place in all of California with such a variety of experiences. Sure, there are slow speed limits on base, but maybe that will encourage you to live life at a slower pace. Do like the surfers do, and just ride it out, brah.
Marching Orders For Camp Pendleton South
Maybe you're military and you've received orders to take your keister to SoCal, or maybe you just have a thing for people in uniform, whatever. Either way you're going to need to know a few things before permanently setting your sights on CPS. Here are some good thoughts to get you started, but don't hesitate to research like mad to get a great feel for the area; it's unlike any other.
Ze Papers
Start by getting your papers together. No, not your duty orders, though if you're living on base you probably will need those. No, you'll need your ID to start, then follow that up with some recent pay stubs (feel free to gripe about government pay briefly while doing so) and your credit report. Have you ever looked at your credit report before? Ok, here's the deal: You need that to look as polished as possible. If you see any suspicious activity on there (and your own suspicious activity doesn't count), you'll want to get that cleaned up in a hurry. Even if your score isn't worthy of a medal of honor, you'll want to rustle up some references to support your good name when the landlord gives you the side-eye.
Finally, scoop up a cashier's check when you get a chance. Most places won't take a personal check for the first month's rent and security deposit, so definitely have that handy. It makes you look smart.
The Terrain
Any good soldier (or house hunter, honestly) researches the landscape before descending. It improves the likelihood of success for any mission. Knowing that, you should definitely understand that this is a renter's paradise. Far more people rent here than own, naturally, and there's a high turnover rate. All that moving and shaking means you can pretty much count on finding a place to stay relatively easily, no long wait or bribery required. You have your pick of accommodations too. Sure, most places for rent in Camp Pendleton South are big apartment complexes with studios, one bedrooms and two bedroom apartments for rent, but you can find just about anything here, including single-family homes and townhouses. If you prefer the ironic charm of a shotgun shack, you can even find some cool mobile homes by the beach.
As for the style of homes, well, they're all over the map. The vast majority was built between 1970 and 2000, but they all have that sweet weathered look from being close to the beach. Bungalows are plentiful, with a few historic options at your fingertips if you do some digging. Newer builds exist too; it all just depends on your needs.
Neighborhood Zones
There aren't really neighborhoods in Camp Pendleton South. After all, this is a military base, not a fancy New York borough. But there are some differences with respect to one area and another, usually having to do with the proximity to the outside world. Here's an overview to help you focus your efforts.
Camp Pendleton South-West: Do you like water? How about boats and stuff? This ocean-adjacent end of CPS has lots of spacious single-family homes right next to the water; some may even come with their own slip. The neighborhood right on the edge includes a swimming pool, while further up you have access to Capistrano Park. To the north of this area are all the apartments. The west side also has all the shopping, which is pretty sweet.
Camp Pendleton South-East: If you prefer quiet, sweet neighbors and lushly green lawns, head to the east side of CPS. There are fewer amenities on this end, though there are still community pools, but this side is all about the single-family home life. You won't find any apartments, but the houses are definitely for rent.
Cutting Loose at Camp Pendleton South
There is nothing more important to servicemen and women and their friends and loved ones than making the most of their time off. If you love to go wild on the weekends or off days, you'll have an embarrassing wealth of activities from which to choose. Surfing is big around these parts, whether you do it in O-side or San O (a popular spot, though not a good choice for beginners) further north. Oceanside has a very happening downtown area, filled with bars, restaurants, beaches, parks and golf courses. If you wanna tickle your walnut, check out the Oceanside Museum of Art. If you're looking for a full weekend of fun, plant your tush in downtown San Diego. The Gaslamp District is overflowing with bars and eateries (go for the tacos, always go for the tacos), the Padres Stadium and Balboa Park. In the summer, you can gamble on horse races and catch outdoor concerts at Del Mar Race Track. There's also the fuzzy fun at San Diego Zoo and Safari Animal Park. What can't you do around here is a better question.
By Land or By Sea
Getting around in Camp Pendleton South will absolutely, 100 percent require a car. Sorry folks, welcome to urban sprawl. There are a couple buses that can scoot you around to a couple places, but just plan on using a vehicle most of the time.
Of course, if you love trains, you can totally get to San Diego from Oceanside, or to Orange County too. The Metrolink and Amtrak are both sitting pretty for your use, so give 'em a whirl every once in awhile. In SD you have trains too, but they don't go everywhere. Make sure you plan a trip before hopping on one and realizing you're still miles away from your destination.
