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San Diego is a high cost of living area, especially in terms of real estate. Help in managing high costs is available through Fleet and Family Support Center, FFSC, which offers a variety of financial classes including budgeting, home buying and investing classes. In order to make a Financial Planning appointment at any FFSC San Diego location, call CNRSW Centralized Scheduling at 866-923-6478.
Childcare in the San Diego area is in high demand. Our best recommendation is to register for childcare as soon as you have orders to San Diego. There are two types of Navy Sponsored Child Care available in the San Diego area. The first option is the on-base child care facilities or Child Development Centers. Please note they are not located at all area installations. The second option is the Navy's network of in-home child care providers, who are licensed and regulated by the CDC as well as the State of California. More information about FFSC Child and Youth Programs can be found at NavyLifeSW. For more childcare information please see the Childcare section.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from/to CONUS installations as well as Alaska and Hawaii, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. The DSN area code is required when dialing to/from overseas locations. A DSN operator can be reached by calling commercial (719) 567-1110. Please note that long distance charges may apply.
Our Mission: To sustain the Fleet, enable the Fighter, and support the Family while maintaining Naval Base Point Loma as a 5-Star Destination.
Our Vision: Focusing the command’s efforts along three lines of effort enables NBPL to better utilize limited resources and coordinate effort in a synchronized manner. Although these lines of effort are distinct, they are also dependent on one another, for success in each is dependent on meaningful progress in the other. These LOEs are expanded into primary areas of action in the full Design.
Naval Base Point LomaDiscovered in 1542
The history of Naval Base Point Loma began thousands of years ago when prehistoric peoples and Native Americans inhabited the area. Archeological sites have been dated to as far back as 7000 years ago.
The modern history of Point Loma begins in September 1542, when Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo (a Portuguese navigator in the service of Spain) landed here and explored the surrounding area for 6 days. Cabrillo raised the flag of Spain and named the port San Miguel Bay.
Sebastian Vizcaino, a Spanish trader who operated between Mexico and the Orient, visited the bay in November 1602. He renamed it San Diego in honor of San Diego de Alcala, a Franciscan lay brother. His records establish the NBPL area as the site of the first Roman Catholic mass to be celebrated in what is now the State of California. A monument in front of the present day Chapel at NBPL commemorates that mass.
The Spanish decided to build a fort in the area because the peninsula guarded the only access to the Bay. Completed in 1797, the fort was made of adobe and was armed with a nine-pound cannon. The fort was named Fort Guijarros (Spanish for "cobblestones") because the point was covered with smooth stones. In later years, English-speaking sailors used these stones as ballast for their sailing vessels - thus the name "Ballast Point." Both Fort Guijarros and Ballast Point are California historical landmarks.
In February 1852 President Fillmore set aside the southern portion of Point Loma (about 1400 acres) for military purposes. Subsequently, it was assigned to the U.S. Army and named Fort Rosecrans, after General Rosecrans, an 1842 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. In 1898 the Army built a coast artillery installation on the site which remained active until 1945.
In 1959 Fort Rosecrans was turned over to the U.S. Navy. The Navy Submarine Support Facility was established in November 1963 on 280 acres of the land. On November 27, 1974 the base was re-designated a shore command, serving assigned submarines, Submarine Group Five, Submarine Squadron Three, Submarine Development Group One, the Submarine Training Facility and later, Submarine Squadron Eleven. On October 1, 1981 the base was designated as Naval Submarine Base.
Starting in April 1995, several commands were decommissioned or their homeports were changed to meet the down-sizing requirements of the Navy. Commands throughout San Diego were regionalized in an effort to provide equal or better base services while managing a reduced budget. The six naval installations on Point Loma were consolidated as Naval Base Point Loma on 1 October, 1998.
Current major tenant commands: Commander, U.S. THIRD Fleet, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR), Fleet Anti-Submarine Training Center, Military Sea Lift Command Pacific, Submarine Squadron ELEVEN, Naval Information Warfare Center-Pacific (NIWC), Sub Learning Center Pacific (SLCPAC), Naval Health Research Center (NHRC), and Tactical Training Group Pacific.
Point Loma is one of the oldest communities in San Diego and certainly one of the finest. Surrounded by the ocean on one side and beautiful San Diego Bay on the other, Point Loma’s prestigious neighborhoods boast incredible skyline and water views. San Diego has a higher cost of living than most cities in America but it is also known as "America's Finest City."
Typically, you will fly into the San Diego International Airport / Lindbergh Field (SAN), which is located at 3225 North Harbor Drive, The airport is conveniently located three miles northwest of downtown San Diego and approximately 4 miles from Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL).
From San Diego International Airport (Lindberg Field)
Take the Point Loma exit. At the stoplight turn right onto North Harbor Drive. Follow North Harbor Drive to Rosecrans. Turn left on Rosecrans and follow to the main gate.
Shuttle Service/USO
The United Services Organization (USO) office is located outside of Terminal 2. Due to COVID-19, the USO is only open Monday - Friday and hours are subject to change. Contact the USO at 619-296-3192 prior to arrival for the most up-to-date information on services and discounted shuttles to the main gate of the installations. (Advanced reservations may be required.) NBSD does not sponsor a shuttle from the airport to the base. However, check with your command to see if a duty driver or your Command Sponsor can provide transportation..
Taxi Service
Taxi rates from the airport to the base vary. It is important that you negotiate the rate for the total cost before you get into the taxi.
Local Bus or Trolley
The Metro Transit System (MTS) travels to and from the airport and downtown San Diego, which can connect you to the trolley, train, and other bus stops. For public transportation and ground transportation, visit the Volunteer Airport Ambassadors at the Information Desks located in the baggage claim area of Terminals 1 and 2.
If you choose, visit the San Diego commuter website to plan which methods of public transportation you will use from the airport to your destination.
Bus routes, fare and schedule information may be obtained by calling 619-233-3004. The San Diego Trolley also serves the San Diego region and is an excellent form of transportation for day-to-day travel to the base. Review the transportation section for more information.
Driving Directions
From I-5 South or I-8 West
Exit on Rosecrans Street. Stay on Rosecrans to the Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL) Main Gate(Post 6).
From I-5 North
Exit onto Pacific Hwy and proceed to the Barnett Street Exit. Go straight on Barnett, which turns to the right and becomes Lytton Street. Stay on Lytton to the first traffic light - Rosecrans Street. Turn left onto Rosecrans Street. Stay on Rosecrans to the Main Gate (Post 6).
Entering the Main Gate
All visitors are required to enter the base via the Main Gate. The following basic rules apply: proceed directly to the Main Gate (Post 6), be prepared to stop and provide a U.S. Department of Defense identification card. Base security can assist you toward your destination or simply ask for the nearest base directory. Visit the nearest CNRSW Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) to obtain a base map.
All visitors are required to enter the base via the Main Gate. The following basic rules apply: proceed directly to the Main Gate (Post 6), be prepared to stop and provide a U.S. Department of Defense identification card. Base security can assist you toward your destination or simply ask for the nearest base directory. Due to COVID-19, approved masks must be worn while on the installation and all DoD property.
Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation. There is a Transportation Incentive Program (TIP) which issues vouchers so that transportation to and from work is free for active duty personnel. The Transportation Incentive Program (TIP) is all about commuting and saving you money. TIP covers most types of commuting. Members of this program are eligible for benefits of up to $270.00 per month. Visit TIP website for more information.
The Base Information Line is 858- 431- 6482.