Camp Pendleton Marine Base Historical Tour

Join us on an excursion showcasing two of the most fascinating locations on Camp Pendleton. Take a docent-guided tour of the Santa Margarita Ranch House, a stunning example of California's early ranch architecture. Built in 1827, this 8,500-square-foot house continues to be the center of Marine Corps base life. Next, enjoy a delicious lunch at the Windmill Canyon Restaurant overlooking the rolling green hills of the base's golf course. Later this afternoon, explore Camp Pendleton's Mechanized Museum. Many Marines arrived here to begin their training for World War II and Korean War battlefields in the 1940s when it served as a railroad terminal building. The museum now contains working transport and battle vehicles, and showcases the history of Marine Corps vehicular usage from World War I to present day.

NOTE: This excursion is NOT a tour of the military base, its operations, or its facilities; rather, it is a visit to two venues operated by the Camp Pendleton Historical Society that are situated on the base. Because Camp Pendleton is a working military facility, the coach is escorted between venues and is unable to deviate from its predetermined route or conduct a "tour" through Camp Pendleton. We ask guests to be mindful that their presence on the military base is not a right but a revocable privilege requiring flexibility and respectful behavior at all times. A valid government-issued ID is required at the time of booking this tour and, due to the base's security requirements, the deadline to register is 15 days prior to the tour date.

Tour Manager:*  3/26/25 Christina Koohmarey  -  06/18/25 Pat Brown

Activity Level: Moderate

Visiting the Margarita Ranch Adobe and Mechanized Museum at Camp Pendleton requires a moderate level of physical activity. The tour includes walking on uneven terrain, gravel paths, and some inclines around the historic adobe grounds. While the museum exhibits are primarily indoors, accessing them may involve standing for extended periods and navigating small steps or thresholds. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended, and guests should be prepared for outdoor conditions, including potential sun exposure. The activity is suitable for those with good mobility but may be challenging for individuals with limited walking endurance or difficulty navigating uneven surfaces.

What's Included in the Tour Fare

• Round-trip luxury motor coach transportation from pickup locations throughout San Diego County

• Professional Tour Manager throughout the trip

• Complimentary bottled water and snacks on the coach

• Docent-guided tour of Santa Margarita Ranch House National Historic Site

• Visit the Mechanized Museum

• Lunch at the Windmill Canyon Restaurant

Meal Choices at Windmill Canyon

• Tee Time Tuna Melt

  - Tuna, melted Swiss cheese served on toasted wheat bread, served with a side salad

• The Broken Club

  - Turkey, ham, Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, and roasted red pepper aioli, on toasted sourdough bread, served with a side salad

• Philly Cheesesteak

  - Grilled steak, bell peppers and onions with melted pepper jack cheese. Available on a lettuce wrap or a hoagie roll served with a side salad

• Par-fect Salad

  - Chopped Romaine lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, tomatoes, red onions, croutons, and choice of dressing

All items include a side salad and non acholic beverage.

What's Not Included in the Tour Fare

• Cancellation Protection

• Gratuities for the Tour Manager and driver

• This excursion does NOT include a tour of the military base or its operations. Base access is highly restricted and is limited to the Adobe Ranch House, Windmill Canyon Restaurant, and Mechanized Museum

How to Make a Reservation

Making your reservation is easy. Simply click the Book Now button above to select your date and confirm your space online, 24/7. You can also call the DayTripper Tours reservations department at (619) 334-3394 during business hours of M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Smartphones

Although not necessary to fully enjoy your trip, a personal smartphone can greatly enhance your tour experience. Take high-quality photos, share your experience on social media in real time, search for nearby restaurants and topics of interest, set reminders, and more.

14-Day Cancellation Deadline

• If you purchased the optional Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) prior to the deadline, you can cancel your booking at any time for any reason and you'll receive a full refund of the tour fare.

• If you declined the CPP, you may cancel your reservation fourteen (14) or more days prior to the departure date to receive a refund less a $15 per person cancellation fee. Alternatively, when you cancel your booking fourteen (14) or more days prior to the departure date, you can avoid the cancellation fee by transferring the funds to another tour or a non-refundable voucher, which can be applied to any future excursion booked within one year of the original tour date. Bookings canceled within 14 days of the departure date are nonrefundable and nontransferable for any reason. Name changes on daytrips are always permitted at no additional cost.

*Tour Manager is subject to change without notice.