Main Gate: 24 hours
San Luis Rey Gate: 24 hours
Del Mar Gate: 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
San Onofre Gate: 24 Hours
Cristianitos Gate: 24 Hours
Las Pulgas Gate: 24 Hours (Outbound traffic closed Monday - Friday 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.)
All commercial vehicles must enter Camp Pendleton via the Las Pulgas Gate only.
CAMP PENDLETON VISITOR CENTER
Mission essential visitor center services are currently provided by Base Access Control at building 41501T, adjacent to the Las Pulgas Gate.
Hours of operation for Base Access Control
Monday through Thursday: 6:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Phone: (760) 763-7604 / 7605
Camp Pendleton Visitor Center (Building 20255T) - Temporarily closed until further notice
Visitors who have not been pre-sponsored should expect long wait times or should arrange to have their sponsor meet them at the main gate for escorted or Trusted Traveler access.
Unescorted access:
At this time, all visitors, contractors, and vendors on official business must obtain a DBIDS pass at Base Access Control, building 41501T.
U.S. Government sponsors should submit the files to: mcbcampensponsoredvisitor@usmc.mil
Unescorted access requires a person to provide acceptable base access credentials or identification and provide an acceptable purpose for their presence on the installation.
Acceptable base credentials include:
- Common Access Card
- Uniformed Services ID (Family / Retiree)
- Federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) enabled for Camp Pendelton access
- Camp Pendleton enabled Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) visitor pass or credential
To obtain a DBIDS pass or credential, a visitor must present ONE of the following:
- Valid (unexpired) Real ID compliant Driver’s License
- State Identification Card
- U.S. Passport or Passport Card
If individuals requesting a DBIDS pass or credential do not have any of the credentials listed above, they must present all three documents below as an alternative.
- Original or Certified Birth Certificate (Raised Seal)
- Social Security Card
- Driver’s License
State IDs and driver’s licenses may not contain the markings:
- “Not Valid for Federal Purposes”
- “Not for Use as Federal Identification”
- “Federal Limits May Apply.”
- Any similar phrase to the above
All documents presented must bear the same name or a former name as documented on acceptable name change documentation such as a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree.
At this time, all visitors, contractors, and vendors on official business must obtain a DBIDS pass at Base Access Control, building 41501T.
MCB Camp Pendleton Sponsored Visitor Roster (DBIDS) (Rev. 1-19)
MCB Camp Pendleton Sponsored Volunteer Roster (DBIDS) (Rev. 9-18)
Click here for specific information on what facilities you can access on Camp Pendleton.
Trusted Traveler visitors are ONLY authorized between the hours of 5:30am and 11:59pm.
Trusted Traveler Program
Trusted Traveler access allows a person with DoD affiliation to present their approved credential and simultaneously vouch for up to five adult co-travelers. Co-travelers must be 16 years of age or older, and can be on foot, in the same vehicle, or in a single vehicle following immediately behind the sponsor’s vehicle.
The co-traveler(s) must have an acceptable purpose for their presence and establish their identity through acceptable credentials or identification when prompted.
Sponsors must know the following information about their co-travelers for them to utilize the Trusted Traveler Program.
- Co-Travelers Identity
- Co-Travelers Criminal History
- Co-Travelers Purpose of Entry
- Co-Travelers Citizenship Status
If these four items are not known by the co-travelers' sponsor, the co-traveler does not meet the criteria of the Trusted Traveler Program and must be escorted.
Escorted Access
Escorted access allows an individual without acceptable base access credentials or identification to be granted access if sponsored and accompanied by a credentialed DoD affiliate. All escorted personnel must be associated with official government business and be always within eyesight of their escort while aboard the installation.
Escorts must be U.S. citizens at least 16 years of age, have DoD affiliation, and be granted unescorted access. Individuals being escorted may not be foreign nationals.
Click here for specific information on what facilities you can access on Camp Pendleton.
Contractors, Vendors, and Transportation Services
All Contractors and Vendors conducting official business on Camp Pendleton must go through the DBIDS credentialing process. For DBIDS information, please visit the Unescorted access and DBIDS tab.
U.S. Government sponsors should submit the MCB Camp Pendleton Sponsored Employee Roster to: PNDL_CPENDBIDS@usmc.mil
This includes all Taxi, Limousine, Shuttle, and App-based Rideshare Services such as Lyft & Uber.
DBIDS credentials are issued at Base Access Control, building 41501T, adjacent to the Las Pulgas Gate.
(See Map)
Business Hours:
6am - 4pm Mon-Thur. (Closed Fridays)
Phone: (760) 763-7604/7605
MCB Camp Pendleton Sponsored Employee Roster (DBIDS) (Rev. 3-22)
Service member retirees
All DoD retired uniformed service members may be granted base access with their DoD ID/Privilege card.
Veterans
DoD veterans and their authorized family members may be granted access through any Camp Pendleton gate with their Camp Pendleton enabled Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC).
Veteran visitors must enable their VHIC at base access control at building 41501T, during working hours.
For service-connected disabled veterans, Medal of Honor & Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war and authorized primary veteran caregivers.
Click the link below for required documentation and access instructions:
Select Veterans Access (marines.mil)
DoD Civilian retirees
Per DoD Memorandum, Department of Defense Civilian Retiree Identification Card Termination, the DoD is no longer issuing or reissuing civilian retiree identification cards. This change only applies to civilians retiring from federal service. NOT service members retiring from military service. Civilian retirees pursuing base access must obtain DBIDS credentials.
Click here for specific information on what facilities you have access to on Camp Pendleton.
Command Sponsored Events
To include Change of Command Ceremonies, Relief and Appointment Ceremonies, Retirement Ceremonies, Base-Wide events, and PME Graduations.
The process for attendance of these events allows security personnel to conduct proper background checks and authorize guests on a pre-determined roster through DBIDS.
For approved command sponsored guests, submit a MCB Camp Pendleton Command Sponsored Event Visitor Roster (DBIDS) and Command Sponsored Event Notification at least seven days prior to the event, PNDL_CMDSPONSORED_EVENTS@usmc.mil
If applicable, please provide a separate list of any foreign nationals who will attend the event, to include their Full Name, Date of Birth and Country of Origin. These visitors must be escorted in person and will be subjected to additional screening through the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA).
Please note that for Command Sponsored Events, a command representative is required to be at the gate(s) with an updated copy of the visitor roster for the duration of time that visitors will arrive. The Command Representative works directly with the Gate NCOIC and verifies the visitors as they arrive at the gate on the day of the event.
MCCS Facilities
Click here for specific information on what facilities you can access on Camp Pendleton.
Renewal or first-time applications for MCCS Category C activities are currently suspended due to the temporary closure of the Camp Pendleton Visitor Center, building 20255T.
Category C facilities include golf courses, bowling alleys, movie theaters, food and beverage facilities, campground and lodging facilities, marinas, recreational cottages and cabins as well as tickets and travel offices. Access to outdoor recreation facilities and special events will be at the discretion of the installation commanding officers based on capacity.
Current MCCS patron passes will still be honored, and they may still access the base using a valid MCCS patron pass or if escorted aboard by an authorized sponsor.
Stepp Stables patrons under a lease with MCCS will be issued a visitor pass for the duration of the lease.
For more information for veteran access of MCCS facilities, visit here.
Recreational Bicycling
Renewal or first- time applications for recreational bicyclists are currently suspended due to the temporary closure of the Camp Pendleton Visitor Center, Building 20255T.
Bicyclists may still access the base if escorted aboard by an authorized sponsor.
Bike Route Map
Frequently Asked Questions
A foreign national may not be escorted or sponsored onto base and must submit for access at Base Access Control, building 41501T, during normal working hours.
Any person who has provided acceptable credentials and identification, command or representative sponsorship, an escort, or a DBIDS pass.
1. Common Access Card
2. Uniformed Services ID (Family / Retiree)
3. Federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) enabled for Camp Pendleton access
4. Camp Pendleton enabled Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) visitor pass or credential
Those who wish to escort a visitor through the Trusted Traveler program, or escorted access are encouraged to meet their visitor at the Visitor’s Center parking lot and physically escort them through the main gate affirming to the sentry on post who they will be escorting.
Command guests, teachers, volunteers, members of non-federal entities, and non-DoD base residents will apply for a DBIDS pass as determined by their access requirements and sponsor. Command guests are authorized to participate in the specific base activity for which they were sponsored. This process is coordinated by the Visitor Center.
Any person who does not have DoD affiliation or a valid base access credential.
Those with acceptable credentials and official business at NHCP may be granted access to the installation. For more information contact NHCP at 760-725-1288/1289/1290.
Persons requesting access to Marine Corps sites will be denied access to the site and/or debarred from the site if:
(1) Marine Corps personnel are unable to verify the individual’s claimed identity based on reasonable belief the person submitted fraudulent identity information in the attempt to gain access.
(2) The individual has a conviction for espionage, sabotage, sedition, treason, terrorism, armed robbery, or murder.
(3) The individual has a felony conviction for a firearms or explosives violation, regardless of the date of conviction.
(4) The individual has been convicted of crimes encompassing sexual assault or rape.
(5) The individual has been convicted of crime encompassing child molestation, or the possession or production of child pornography.
(6) The individual has been convicted of trafficking in persons.
(7) The individual is a registered sex offender.
(8) The individual has been convicted of drug possession with intent to sell or distribute.
(9) The individual has an active arrest warrant from federal, state, local, or other civil authorities, regardless of offense or violation.
(10) The individual has a felony conviction within the last 10 years, regardless of the offense or violation.
(11) The individual’s name appears on any federal or state agency watch list for criminal behavior or terrorist activity.
(12) The individual is debarred entry or access to a Marine Corps site, other DoD installations or facilities, or other federal site or facility.
(13) The individual engaged in acts or activities designed to overthrow the U.S. Government by force.
(14) The individual is known to be or reasonably suspected of being a terrorist or belongs to an organization with known terrorism links/support.
(15) The individual is identified in the NCIC KST file, or the TSDB report as known to be, or suspected of being, a terrorist or belonging to an organization with known links to terrorism or support of terrorist activity.
(a) If an individual is identified on the NCIC KST files or TSDB, PMO/MCPD or other designated site security personnel will immediately call the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Multiple Threat Alert Center (MTAC) for further coordination. The MTAC will coordinate with the
Department of Justice (DOJ) or FBI and provide handling instructions to PMO/MCPD or other designated site security personnel.
(b) Site access control personnel shall strictly follow the DOJ/FBI engagement protocols as directed by MTAC personnel.
(16) The individual has criminal arrest information that the site commander determines the person presents a threat to the good order, discipline, or health and safety on the Marine Corps site.
For more information contact Base Access Control at (760) 763-7604/7605