WELCOME TO NAVAL AIR STATION (NAS) NORTH ISLAND: YOUR COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Table of Contents
Naval Air Station North Island (NAS North Island) sits at the tip of the Coronado peninsula and is a key part of Naval Base Coronado. It’s known as the birthplace of naval aviation, officially recognized in 1963 by the House Armed Services Committee.
From here, 23 fixed- and rotary-wing squadrons launch daily. The base supports two homeported aircraft carriers along with roughly 80 tenant commands, making it one of the Navy’s busiest aviation hubs. Read on to find out how to transition into your new home at NAS North Island.
The Location of NAS North Island
The main gate for NAS North Island is located at:
300 Alameda Blvd., Coronado, CA.
Phone: 1 (619) 545-1011
Most travelers arrive via the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge from Interstate 5.
The Stockdale Main Gate operates 24 hours a day. The Ocean Boulevard Gate is open for inbound traffic early in the morning and for two-way traffic during daytime hours. The Carrier or Commercial Gate typically runs weekday business hours for deliveries and contractors.
Visitor access is handled through the Visitor Control Center near Gate 1 in Building 680. They issue DBIDS credentials and contractor or event access passes. It’s always best to verify gate hours and procedures before arriving, as schedules can change due to exercises or events.
The visitor center for NAS North Island is located at:
3975 Norman Scott Rd, San Diego, CA 92136
Base Entry Procedures at NAS North Island
Below is a breakdown of the procedures for entering the base.
Personnel entering the base for the first time, as well as guests, will have to check in with the Administration Department.
Click here for more information on the Administration Department at NAS North Island.
Average Drive Times to Base Gates from Popular Cities
The NAS North Island Main Gate (Stockdale Gate) is located on the Coronado peninsula, making it very close to downtown San Diego, which is around 5 miles away.
It is 120 miles south of Los Angeles, which is about a 2-hour drive.
Tijuana, Mexico, is about 80 miles away, or a 1-hour drive, from the border.
Check-In Procedures & Access Requirements for Incoming Personnel
Sailors reporting for in-processing at NAS North Island should check in with the command they were assigned.
Personnel stationed at NAS North Island will report to the Main Gate, also known as Gate 1, which is located at the intersection of Third and Alameda Blvd.
Those who need to reach the Administration Department office may call 1 (619) 545-8164 / 8175, or call the Duty Office at (619) 545-8123 to reach the Duty Yeoman after hours.
To access the base, you must have a sponsor, a valid government-issued ID, and complete a background check by either pre-enrolling in the DBIDS system online or by filling out a SECNAV Form 5512/1.
Gates & Hours of Operation
Main Stockdale Gate
The Main Stockdale Gate is open 24 hours.
Ocean Blvd Gate
The Ocean Blvd Gate is open 05:00-07:00 to inbound traffic only, then to both in & outbound traffic from 07:00-17:00.
Carrier (Commercial) Gate
The Carrier Gate is open from 05:00-17:00, Monday through Friday.
NAS North Island Visitor Center
The Visitor Control Center issues temporary vehicle passes and can provide directions and information on the base.
For more information on base access and the Visitor Control Center, call 1 (619) 545-6071 or DNS at 1 (312) 735-6071.
Address: 4th Ave. Bldg. 680 San Diego, CA 92118
Phone: 1 (619) 545-6071
NAS North Island Visitor Center Hours:
- Monday - Friday: 06:30 to 16:00
- Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Amenities and Facilities at NAS North Island
DEERs Office
For information on making an appointment, call the NAS North Island DEERS and ID Card Office at 1 (619) 545-4738.
Address: 104 Murray St. Bldg. 251, Rm. 109 NAS North Island, CA 92135
Phone: 1 (619) 545-4738
NAS North Island DEERS and ID Card Office Hours:
- Monday - Friday: 07:30-16:00
- Saturday - Sunday: Closed
NAS North Island Commissary
The NAS North Island Commissary provides grocery shopping with tax-free savings for military families.
Address: Bldg. 2017 Colorado St. San Diego, CA 92135
Phone: 1 (619) 545-6560
NAS North Island Commissary Hours:
- Sunday - Friday: 10:00 - 18:00
- Saturday: 08:30 - 18:00
NEX North Island NAS
Nex North Island NAS provides a range of merchandise, including drinks and apparel.
Address: Bldg. 2017 San Diego, CA 92135
Phone: 1 (619) 522-7222
NEX North Island NAS Hours:
- Monday - Sunday: 09:00 - 20:00
NAS North Island Barber Shop
Get a fresh new haircut at the Main Exchange Barber Shop.
Address: Bldg. 2017 San Diego, CA 92135
Phone: 1 (619) 522-7229
Main Exchange Barber Shop Hours:
- Monday - Saturday: 08:00 - 20:00
- Sunday: 09:00 - 19:00
NAS North Island Post Office
See the hours below for the on-base post office.
Address: 124 Murray Ave. Bldg. 124 San Diego, CA 92135
Phone: 1 (619) 435-1142
NAS North Island Post Office Hours:
- Monday - Sunday: 08:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 15:30
NAS North Island Finance Office
The Finance Office provides support for military pay, travel vouchers, and financial inquiries.
Address: Quentin Roosevelt Blvd. Bldg. 515 San Diego, CA 92135
Phone: 1 (619) 545-7916
NAS North Island Legal Office
NAS North Island has a legal office for all inquiries.
Address: Saufley Road Bldg. 318 San Diego, CA 92135
Phone: 1 (619) 545-6437
MWR Services at NAS North Island
1. Community Recreation Center
The Community Recreation Center (under the MWR Community Recreation program) provides recreational programming, equipment rentals, special events coordination, ticketing/travel support, and parks/picnic area reservations.
Address: Building 337, Naval Base Coronado, Coronado, CA 92155
Hours: Daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; holidays 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
2. Bowling Facility – “Sea ’N Air Lanes”
This is the on-base bowling facility offering lanes for recreation, parties, “cosmic bowling,” food & lounge options—ideal for downtime or command/team events.
Address: Building 772, Rogers Rd., Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI), San Diego/Coronado, CA 92135
Hours:
- Monday–Thursday: 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
- Friday: 10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: 12:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Holidays: Closed (or special holiday hours)
3. Fitness Center
The flagship fitness facility on-station, offering cardiovascular, strength training, group classes, racquetball/volleyball courts, and full access for active duty, family members, retirees, and DoD civilians.
Address: Building 1507, Rogers Rd., Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, CA 92135
Hours: 24-hour access (around the clock) for eligible members. Holidays: staffed 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Dining Options at NAS North Island
NAS North Island offers a variety of on-base dining facilities run by MWR (Morale, Welfare & Recreation), ranging from casual cafés to historic watering holes, providing convenient meals and hangout spots for service members, their families, and guests.
Galley (NASNI Galley)
The primary mess hall on base, the Galley serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a traditional, cafeteria-style format for active-duty personnel, certain authorized civilians, and other eligible patrons.
Hours:
- Weekdays: Breakfast 6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.; Lunch 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Dinner 4:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
- Weekends & Holidays: Breakfast 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.; Lunch 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Dinner 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
10 Pin Café
Located inside the Sea ’N Air Bowling Center, this café provides a more casual, comfort-food style menu, with daily lunch specials (e.g., hot dogs, chicken adobo, spaghetti, meatloaf, ribs).
Address: Bowling Center, Bldg 772, Rogers Rd., NAS North Island
Hours: According to the base directory, open 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
World Famous I-Bar
This iconic spot is part bar, part naval-aviation memorabilia museum. Known for its cozy, old-school officers’ club vibe, the I-Bar sits at the heart of Naval aviation history and frequently hosts retirements, change-of-command ceremonies, and social gatherings.
Address: Quentin Roosevelt Blvd, Building I, NAS North Island, Coronado, CA 92118
Hours:
- Monday–Thursday: 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Closed on weekends
Hotels Near NAS North Island
There are several hotels near NAS North Island, so you should be able to find something that fits your budget.
For a full list of military lodges and affiliated resorts in the area, visit the Department of Defense Lodging website.
Navy Inn North Island
Address: 1300 Rogers Road, Building 1521, San Diego, CA 92135-7033
Located on base at NAS North Island, the Navy Inn offers the convenience of staying right on the installation, which is particularly useful for official-duty travel or for families accompanying a service member.
Hotel del Coronado
Address: 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118
A historic beachfront resort just a short drive from NAS North Island, this iconic hotel offers upscale accommodations, beachfront access, and resort-style amenities.
Where Should I Live Near NAS North Island?
If you’re considering living on-base, check out the available on-base housing options at NAS North Island.
If you’re living off-base, however, you’ll have plenty of options.
Cities Near NAS North Island
While there’s plenty of housing available on base, some service members choose to live in several of the cities near NAS North Island.
Nearby cities include San Diego, Chula Vista, National City, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, and Bonita. Be warned, however, that the cost of living in San Diego is much higher than the national average.
Military Preferred Living Areas
San Diego, CA
The second-largest city in California, behind Los Angeles, San Diego is a city with a population of around 1,359,000 people. Located 8 miles from NAS North Island, San Diego offers the fastest commute to the base.
Homes in the area are expensive, starting at $398,000 for a two-bedroom, one-bath residence. Apartments start at $965/month for a one-bedroom, one-bath unit.
Attractions in the area include the San Diego Zoo and harbor excursions that will allow guests to see the city from a water view.
Chula Vista, CA
The second-largest city in the San Diego area, Chula Vista, is home to about 227,000 people and is popular with tourists. Its location – 11 miles from NAS North Island – makes for a fast commute.
Homes in the area are expensive, starting at $210,000 for a two-bedroom, two-bath house. Apartments start at $825/month for a one-bedroom, one-bath unit.
Attractions in the area include the Chula Vista Nature Center, where you can feed sea turtles, sharks, and manta rays, as well as Knott's Soak City U.S.A., which is a water park.
National City, CA
Another city in the San Diego area, National City, is home to about 54,000 people. It is located just 8 miles from NAS North Island.
Homes in this area are less expensive, starting at $174,000 for a three-bedroom, two-bath residence. Apartments start at $985/month for a one-bedroom, one-bath unit.
National City shares many attractions with San Diego itself.
La Mesa, CA
Also in the San Diego area, La Mesa is home to about 54,000 people. It is located 15 miles from NAS North Island.
Homes in the area are expensive, starting at $309,000 for a two-bedroom, one-bath residence. Apartments start at $825/month for a one-bedroom, one-bath unit.
Local attractions include the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, which features over 80 pieces of antique railway equipment.
Imperial Beach, CA
Located in San Diego County, Imperial Beach is home to about 29,000 people. It is located just 11 miles from NAS North Island, so the commute is short.
Homes in the area start at $225,000 for a two-bedroom, two-bath layout, while apartments start at $825/month for a one-bedroom, one-bath unit.
Local attractions include the Saltwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to over 215 species of birds.
Bonita, CA
Bonita is situated between Chula Vista and San Diego. It’s a small city of only about 12,400 people. It is located just 16 miles from NAS North Island, so the commute is short while providing a small-town atmosphere.
Homes in the area start at $325,000 for a three-bedroom, two-bath residence, while apartments start at $875/month for a one-bedroom, one-bath unit.
Local attractions include the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center, which chronicles the heritage of the area, and Sweetwater National Park.
NAS North Island Schools
While there are no DoD schools in the San Diego area, there are 42 independent school districts nearby. Almost all elementary schools in the area are K-5th grade, while almost all middle schools are 6th-8th grade.
Many students will attend schools in either the San Diego Unified School District or the Coronado School District. For more information, call the School Liaison Officer for Coronado at 1 (619) 767-1789.
Those in the San Diego area should call 1 (858) 349-7678. Check out our full guide to NAS North Island schools for a more detailed rundown.
FAQs About NAS North Island
Can I use coupons at the commissary?
Yes, you can use coupons at the commissary.
Is NAS North Island hands-free?
Yes, NAS North Island requires the use of hands-free devices for cell phone use while driving.
Can I live on base without children?
Yes, you can live on base without kids at NAS North Island through unaccompanied housing, which is specifically for single service members.
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Natalie Oliverio
Veteran & Senior Contributor, Military News at MyBaseGuide
Natalie Oliverio is a Navy Veteran, journalist, and entrepreneur whose reporting brings clarity, compassion, and credibility to stories that matter most to military families. With more than 100 publis...
Natalie Oliverio is a Navy Veteran, journalist, and entrepreneur whose reporting brings clarity, compassion, and credibility to stories that matter most to military families. With more than 100 publis...
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- Navy Veteran
- 100+ published articles
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