MCAGCC 29 PALMS: IN-DEPTH WELCOME CENTER

Introduction

Welcome to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms (MCAGCC 29 Palms), located in San Bernardino County, California, in the Mojave Desert. The 29 Palms Marine base is one of the largest military training areas in the United States. The base covers 1,100 square miles and is home to approximately 12,500 active-duty members. Don’t let the isolated location of the base fool you. There are small, tight-knit military communities that live in the surrounding area. There is also plenty of outdoor adventure to be had, from Joshua Tree National Park to the great Mojave Desert. We hope this guide helps you get settled in your new posting and helps take some of the stress from moving away.

1. Where Is 29 Palms?
2. Google Map View
3. Getting There–29 Palms Directions
4. Entering 29 Palms and Base Amenities
   • Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel
   • 29 Palms Visitor Center
   • 29 Palms DEERS Office
   • 29 Palms Gate Hours
   • 29 Palms Commissary
   • 29 Palms Exchange
   • 29 Palms Barber Shops
   • 29 Palms Post Office
   • 29 Palms Finance Office
   • 29 Palms Legal Office
   • 29 Palms Library
   • 29 Palms Hotels
5. Where Should I Live Near 29 Palms?
6. 29 Palms Schools
7. 29 Palms Weather
8. Things to Do Near 29 Palms

COVID-19 Notice

Due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, many businesses, venues, and parks may be temporarily closed or operating under restricted hours. Therefore, a place we mention here may not currently be open or available for the time being. Check individual websites, there’s no shortage of accessibility getting around the area.

Where Is 29 Palms?

MCAGCC 29 Palms Welcome & Visitors Center

901 Adobe Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Hours:

• Monday-Friday

  – 5:00 AM-9:00 PM

• Saturday/Sunday

  – Closed

• Federal Holidays

  – Closed

29 Palms Marine Base Map

Directions to MCAGCC 29 Palms

Driving Directions

From Los Angeles

1. Take I-10 E
2. Take exit 42B for CA-71 S toward Corona
3. Keep left to continue toward CA-71 S
4. Continue onto CA-71 S
5. Take exit 12 to merge onto CA-60 E toward Riverside
6. Continue onto CA-60 E/I-215 S
7. Use any lane to merge onto I-10 E
8. Take exit 117 for CA-62 toward 29 Palms/Yucca Valley
9. Continue onto CA-62 E/29 Palms Hwy
10. Turn left onto Lear Ave
11. Turn right onto Indian Trail
12. Turn left onto Adobe Rd
13. Continue through the MCAGCC Twentynine Palms Main gate

From Victorville

1. Head southeast on CA-18/D St toward Eighth St
2. Continue to follow CA-18
3. Continue straight onto Old Woman Springs Rd
4. Turn left onto Buena Vista Dr
5. Turn right onto Yucca Mesa Rd
6. Turn left onto CA-62 E
7. Turn left onto Lear Ave
8. Turn right onto Indian Trail
9. Turn left onto Adobe Rd
10. Continue through the MCAGCC Twentynine Palms Main gate

From Los Angeles International Airport

1. Head west on W Century Blvd toward Vicksburg Ave
2. Turn left onto S Sepulveda Blvd
3. Use the right 2 lanes to take the ramp onto I-105 E
4. Merge onto I-105 E
5. Merge onto I-605 N
6. Take exit 19 to merge onto CA-60 E/Pomona Fwy toward Pomona
7. Continue on CA-60 E, towards Pomona/Riverside
8. Continue onto CA-60 E/I-215 S
9. Use any lane to merge onto I-10 E
10. Take exit 117 for CA-62 toward 29 Palms/Yucca Valley
11. Continue onto CA-62 E/29 Palms Hwy
12. Turn left onto Lear Ave
13. Turn right onto Indian Trail
14. Turn left onto Adobe Rd
15. Continue through the MCAGCC Twentynine Palms Main gate

From Ontario International Airport

1. Head onto N Archibald Ave
2. Turn right to merge onto I-10 E
3. Merge onto I-10 E
4. Take exit 117 for CA-62 toward 29 Palms/Yucca Valley
5. Continue onto CA-62 E/29 Palms Hwy
6. Turn left onto Lear Ave
7. Turn right onto Indian Trail
8. Turn left onto Adobe Rd
9. Continue through the MCAGCC Twentynine Palms Main gate

Greyhound Bus Station in Indio, CA

1. Head northwest toward Indio Blvd
2. Turn right onto Indio Blvd
3. Continue onto Jefferson St
4. Turn right to merge onto I-10 W
5. Merge onto I-10 W
6. Take exit 117 for CA-62 toward 29 Palms/Yucca Valley
7. Continue onto CA-62 E/29 Palms Hwy
8. Turn left onto Lear Ave
9. Turn right onto Indian Trail
10. Turn left onto Adobe Rd
11. Continue through the MCAGCC Twentynine Palms Main gate

Amtrak Station in Palm Springs, CA

1. Head northwest toward Palm Springs Station Rd
2. Continue onto Palm Springs Station Rd
3. Turn left onto N Indian Canyon Dr
4. Turn right onto CA-62 E
5. Turn left onto Lear Ave
6. Turn right onto Indian Trail
7. Turn left onto Adobe Rd
8. Continue through the MCAGCC Twentynine Palms Main gate

Flights To 29 Palms

More than likely, you will be flying through the Los Angeles International Airport, one of the largest airports in the world. Otherwise, you will fly into the Ontario International Airport. Although smaller than LAX, it may be a more convenient airport to fly through, then head to base.

MCAGCC 29 Palms Transportation Office

29 Palms Household Goods/Transportation Office

1102 Del Valle Road, MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, CA 92278

Phone:

1 (760) 830-6119

29 Palms Household Goods/Transportation Office Hours

• Monday-Friday:

  0500 to 2100

• Saturday/Sunday:

  Closed

Entering MCAGCC 29 Palms and Base Amenities

All drivers on base must have a valid military ID, veterans or retiree ID, a valid driver’s license, and a valid driver’s insurance card. All visitors must stop by the Visitors Center located by the main gate on Adobe Rd.

Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel

All personnel reporting to MCAGCC Twentynine Palms must check-in at the IPAC (Installation Personnel Administration Center). The IPAC is located in buildings 1450 and 1459 on 4th street. This must be done within 24 hours of receiving your reporting endorsement. The IPAC will verify your information for your service records and process travel claims. You will need enough uniforms to last several days and will be required to bring all medical and dental records to begin in-processing.

MCAGCC 29 Palms Visitor Center

29 Palms Welcome and Visitor Center

901 Adobe Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Phone:

1 (760) 830-6794

Hours:

• Monday-Friday

  – 0700 to 1600

• Saturday/Sunday

  – Closed

• Federal Holidays

  – Closed

MCAGCC 29 Palms DEERS Office

29 Palms ID Card & DEERS Office

Village Center, 4th and Griffin St, Bldg 1551, 29 Palms Marine Base, CA

Phone:

1(760) 830-1911

29 Palms ID Card & DEERS Office Hours

• Monday-Friday

  – 0730 to 1600

• Saturday/Sunday

  – Closed

• Federal Holidays

  – Closed

MCAGCC 29 Palms Gate Hours

MCAGCC Twentynine Palms has 3 three gates for three points of access. The main gate is located through Adobe Road.

• Main Gate (Adobe Rd):

  Open 24/7

• Ocotillo Gate:

  0530 to 2100

• Condor Gate:

  0530 to 2100

29 Palms Commissary

Del Valle Drive Bldg. 1025 Twentynine Palms, CA 92278

Phone:

1 (760) 830-7578

29 Palms Commissary Hours

• Monday:

  1200 - 1800

• Tuesday-Sunday:

  1000 - 1900

Marine Corps Exchange 29 Palms Twentynine Palms, CA

29 Palms Exchange Building 1024 Del Valle St Twentynine Palms, CA, 92278

Phone:

1 (760) 830-6163

29 Palms Exchange Hours

• Monday-Saturday:

  0800 - 2000

• Sunday:

  1000 - 1800

29 Palms Barber Shops

Building 1502 Del Valle St Twentynine Palms, CA, 92278

Phone:

1 (760) 830-0342

29 Palms Main Exchange Barber Shop Hours

• Monday-Friday:

  0700-1900

• Saturday-Sunday:

  0800-2000

29 Palms Post Office

1435 Sturgis Rd Bldg 1435, Twentynine Palms, CA 92278

Phone:

1 (800) 275-8777

29 Palms Post Office Hours

• Monday-Friday:

  1000 to 1630

• Saturday/Sunday:

  Closed

29 Palms Finance Office

1521 Fourth Street MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, CA 92278

Phone:

1 (760) 830-7342

29 Palms Finance Office Hours

• Monday-Friday:

  070 to 1600

• Saturday-Sunday:

  Closed

29 Palms Base Legal Assistance

BLDG 1514 Brown St. Twentynine Palms, CA, 93524

Phone:

1 (760) 830-6111

29 Palms Legal Office Hours

• Monday-Thursday:

  0800 to 1600

• Friday

  : 0800 to 1200

• Saturday-Sunday:

  Closed

29 Palms Library

1529 Brown Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Phone:

1 (760) 830-6875

29 Palms Library Hours

• Monday-Friday:

  0800 to 1930

• Saturday-Sunday:

  1000 to 1600

29 Palms Hotels

29 Palms has many hotel selections in the neighboring cities. We’ve selected a few for you to consider if you need a stay at one of the hotels near base.

1. Oasis Inn & Suites 29 Palms Near Joshua Tree National Park

71809 Twentynine Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Phone:

1 (760) 361-4009

2. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Twentynine Palms

6333 Encelia Ave, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Phone:

1 (760) 361-5000

3. SureStay Plus by Best Western Twentynine Palms

71487 Twentynine Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Phone:

1 (760) 367-9141

4. Sunnyvale Garden Suites Hotel 29 Palms

73843 Sunnyvale Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Phone:

1 (760) 361-3939

5. Best Western Joshua Tree Hotel & Suites

56525 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284

Phone:

1 (760) 365-3555

Hot Tip: Download MyBaseGuide’s MCAGCC 29 Palms Military Relocation Guide for information about hotels nearby.

Where Should I Live Near MCAGCC 29 Palms?

If you’re considering living on base, check out the available on-base housing options. Otherwise, read on to find out more about living off base.

Major Cities Near MCAGCC 29 Palms

The marine training facility at 29 Palms is the gateway to the California desert. Located in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, there are a few small communities around the base to call home.

Best Places to Live Near MCAGCC 29 Palms

Joshua Tree

About 20 miles away sits the small community of Joshua Tree. Here you will enjoy small shops and a military community with fairly quick access to MCAGCC 29 Palms. The community also has the Joshua Tree Visitor Center for the National Park and is located just 5 miles north of the park’s western entrance.

Yucca Valley

A little farther down the road, 27 miles from the main gate, is the town of Yucca Valley. Here you will enjoy a wider variety of shops, restaurants, and schools compared to the smaller community of Twentynine Palms around the base.

Hot Tip: Look for MCAGCC 29 Palms homes and apartments for rent or sale, and find BAH, PCS, TLA & ETS military housing information at AHRN.com.

29 Palms Schools

On base, you will have access to Condor Elementary School that is open to military children who live both on and off base. There are more options for Elementary, Junior High, and High School within the Morongo Basin School District, all located off base. There are bussing options for the schools within this district as well. Find more local school information at The Best MCAGCC 29 Palm Schools: Daycare - High School.

29 Palms Weather

As one could expect from the High Desert of California, Twentynine Palms is no stranger to the heat. The summers will be hot, with many of the months like June, July, and August reaching into the ‘120s at times. At the other end of the year, during the winter months, you will get a break from the highest temperatures. Averages usually hang out in the ’60s and ’70s. It is a desert still, and there will be very little precipitation and plenty of sun. At night expect things to cool off considerably, at times reaching even as low as the ’30s.

Things to Do in 29 Palms

The great Californian Outback is at your disposal while residing in Twentynine Palms. The Joshua Tree National Park is located just 20 minutes from base and offers hiking trails and campgrounds for those who enjoy the outdoors. Be sure to stop by the visitor center as military personnel and their dependents are offered free passes. For those who want to head into town, stop by Joshua Tree’s Farmer’s Market, which runs year-round. For more on things to do in the area, be sure to check out our article here.

Hot Tip: Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively for MCAGCC 29 Palms at MyBaseGuide.

Conclusion

Relocating can be a stressful experience, but we hope this guide has given you a clearer picture of the area surrounding MCAGCC 29 Palms. We hope that you find your next adventure here around the base, whether in one of the tight-knit communities of Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, and Yucca Valley or exploring the historic desert and National Park.

More like this:

Veteran and Military National Park Passes & Where You Can Go to for Free  

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.