I would ask Pendleton Underground... but I can't seem to get it to work. GR.

Just looking for opinions, thoughts, experiences....

Hubs & I are deciding between San Onofre & Santa Margarita... GOOOO!

Before ya ask -- no kids, 1 dog, 1 cat; Hubs will be stationed @ the Air Station. & yes, we're aware that we could live off base. 

We currently live on Pendleton right now. My husband also works on the air station. We live in Deluz housing, which is nice because it has a/c. San Onofre is on the other side of base, which would probably be about a 30 minute drive each way, without the traffic! I heard Santa Margarita is kinda trashy (according to what people say on Pendleton underground). Santa Margarita doesn't have backyards i don' think. I think it's just a fenced in porch area, not completely sure though. San Onofre does have nice fenced in yards though. Hope that helps a little! 

Hope that helps a little! 

It does! We only have a small patio/yard area here -- & it's good enough for the dog. We just like the convenience of having something that we can toss her in without having to eagle eye her.

Are the San O homes nice? It'd be San O I. 

When we were at Pendleton we didn't live in Santa Margarita or San Onofre, but in my opinion I'd never want to live out in San Onofre. The few times that I drove out there it seems like it took forever....probably was around 30 minutes from there to the air station. Santa Margarita is a good location.....about 10 or 15 minutes from the air station, about 10 minutes from the front gate and the commissary and Del Mar beach. And I'm pretty sure they have fenced in patios in Santa Margarita. 

Chelle: I've heard the same thing -- about the drive. UGH. I just can't make a decision. :-/ 

Also, the commissary at Del Mar is amazing. The one in San O is tiny, and carries only the basics. I can never find anything I need. I always make the drive to Pacific Plaza. The "exchange" here, also carries the basics, very small. So at the San O end we have a commissary, exchange, gas station and day care, not even a gym is available. BUT you do have an amazing ocean view. And yes the drive to the air station is longgggggg.... 

Thanks for the info! :-D

Ocean view sounds AH-MAZING! But, not even a gym? Yikes. That might be a deal breaker for my gym-rat of a Hubs. 

But, not even a gym? Yikes

There is a gym at the housing office, three ellipticals, three treadmills, and a couple of the machines, nothing for a gym guru. You have SOI, but thats also a drive, and they have a big gym there, I would say about 8 miles maybe more. 

I live in south mesa 1. which is by Santa Margarita. Santa Margarita has a fenced in yard not a patio. Als there is a gym over by the beach. My hubby works at the air station and it is a very short drive even with traffic.