Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Coronado is the West Coast home of Naval Special Warfare and the amphibious forces — most famously the site of BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training). It sits on the Silver Strand, the narrow spit of land between San Diego Bay and the Pacific, just south of Coronado and part of the broader Naval Base Coronado command.
This guide covers the base and the San Diego housing reality. Your command and the specific pipeline own everything operational.
The base, in brief
NAB Coronado is the training and operational base for the West Coast SEAL Teams, Special Warfare units, and amphibious forces, plus a cluster of schoolhouses. It's a working, mission-focused base on the Strand — the bayside has the piers and small-craft facilities; the oceanside is where the famous BUD/S "Grinder" and beach training happen. It shares the Naval Base Coronado umbrella with NAS North Island.
Where to live
Same San Diego reality as the rest of the bay: expensive, single high-BAH Military Housing Area, most families commute from off-island. NAB families look across the South Bay (Imperial Beach is closest — right at the south end of the Strand — plus Chula Vista, National City) and wherever budget allows. See the Naval Base San Diego guide for the regional housing breakdown; Coronado-specific neighborhood reads are coming. Drive the Strand (SR-75) commute before you commit — it's one road on and off.
On-base life — services
- MWR: recreational facilities on base (the Turner Field recreational area).
- Big-format shopping: the large NEX + commissary are on NAS North Island and NB San Diego — minutes away.
- Medical: Naval Medical Center San Diego (Balboa) is the regional military hospital + TRICARE Prime hub.
- Child care: apply early via MilitaryChildCare.com.
BAH, schools, and logistics
San Diego MHA BAH — pull current rates from defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bahCalc.cfm and budget for the cost of living. Schools depend on where you live; pull specifics at GreatSchools. The 10-stage moving guide applies the same.
Vetted partners (coming)
We're building out the Coronado / South Bay market — neighborhood guides + vetted partners. Check back to get matched.