MCRD San Diego, CA Installation Guide

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Western Recruiting Region, San Diego, California 92140-5023.

The Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) is located in the southern-most major metropolitan area of California, approximately 125 miles south of Los Angeles and 12 miles north of the Mexico border.

IF YOU ARRIVE BY AIR: The Marine Corps Recruit Depot is located +/- 3 miles from Lindbergh International Airport. You can get directions from the Travelers Aid Society desk, located in the East Terminal, during normal airport operating hours, Monday through Friday 0800-1700 hours; after that time, the desk is staffed by military personnel until the airport closes at 2300 hours.

CURFEW HOURS AT LINDBERGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: No restrictions on inbound flights. Outbound flights are prohibited between the hours of 2330 to 0630. Travelers Aid is available for anyone who is either searching for someone, or looking for a place to stay, to even renting a car! The phone number is 619-231-2278/7361.

Westwind Express is a military DoD shuttle located in the West Terminal. Fare and schedule information may be obtained by calling 619 693-6828. Generally, the fare from the airport to MCRD will be about $6.00. Family rates mean that the second person is charged 1/2 price, and children 3 and under ride free. Reservations are required for pick-up from the San Diego military bases.

Taxi rates from the airport to the base vary between $8.00-$13.00. It is important that you negotiate the rate for the total cost BEFORE you get into the taxi.

IF YOU ARRIVE BY AUTO: The Marine Corps Recruit Depot is located on the west side of Interstate 5 (I-5) which runs North/South. At the Old Town Avenue exit, turn right on Witherby and go for about 2 blocks until you arrive at the main gate.

IF YOU ARE TAKING A LOCAL BUS: Bus routes, fares and schedules may be obtained by calling 619 233-3004.

....A BIT OF HISTORY ABOUT MCRD: United States Marines have been stationed in San Diego since July 1914; however, a permanent Marine Corps base was not established until (then) Colonel Joseph H. Pendleton, USMC, campaigned to establish such a base in the area. Groundbreaking on 232.24 acres took place on 2 March 1919. Construction and occupation of the base took place from 1919 through 1926. On 1 December 1921, Pendleton (now a General), placed it into commission as the Marine Advanced Expeditionary Base, San Diego. In 1923, the Marine Recruit Depot for the west coast relocated from Mare Island Navy Shipyards in Vallejo, California, to its new home at the San Diego Marine Base. On 1 March 1924, the base that had been developed as a result of the vision and efforts of General Pendleton became, officially, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, and would be known by that name for the next twenty-four years. The base now consisted of approximately 388 acres, of which some 367.76 acres had been reclaimed tidal area. Throughout World War II, the principal activity of the base, recruit training, overshadowed all other functions. After the war, the recruit training detachment remained the principal tenant. Official recognition of this fact occurred on 1 January 1948 when Marine Corps Base, San Diego, became the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Western Recruiting Region, San Diego.