MCRD San Diego graduation guide: Family Day, Gate 5, ID rules and the schedule

This guide is for families flying or driving in to watch a new Marine graduate from Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego. Everything here comes from the depot's own pages and Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) San Diego, which runs the family program, with parent-run sources used only to fill gaps. Schedules change, so check MCCS San Diego the week you go.

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Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap contributors

Depot

1. 1MCRD Gate 5 (visitor gate) — Every visitor vehicle enters here
2. 2MCRD Command Museum (Day Hall) — Free; across the parade deck

Getting here

1. 3San Diego International Airport — The depot sits on the airport's north side
2. 4Old Town Transit Center — Trolley hub north of the depot

After the ceremony

1. 5Liberty Public Market — Food hall next door at Liberty Station
2. 6Old Town San Diego State Historic Park — Free historic park, free parking lots

Pins are approximate. Visitor parking is inside the depot after you clear Gate 5, so it is not pinned separately. Source: MCCS San Diego, MCRD Museum Foundation, MTS and California State Parks, checked October 5, 2026.

See these on the full San Diego map

Gate 5 and the ID you need

All visitor vehicles must enter through Gate 5 on Washington Street. For navigation, Marine Parents gives 2200 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92110. Coming south on I-5, take the Washington Street exit, turn right and go about two blocks under the Pacific Highway overpass. Drivers need a valid license, the vehicle registration (a copy of the contract for a rental) and proof of insurance. Vehicles and people are searched, so build in time for a line, and leave luggage at the hotel.

What not to bring

• —Firearms and weapons of any kind, including knives with blades over 3 inches and switchblades over 2 inches.
• —Any controlled substance. That includes marijuana, even with a medical card.
• —Alcohol and glass bottles (Marine Parents), and no charcoal grills in the parking areas (MCCS).
• —Jokes about weapons or threats at the gate. Marine Parents warns they are treated seriously and can get you removed.

Parking, rideshare and the trolley

Drive in through Gate 5 and follow the military police to visitor parking; MCCS sends RVs and trailers to the Tailgate Lot next to Building 10, and overnight parking is not allowed. Uber, Lyft and taxis can come on base after a quick vehicle check, through Gate 4 or 5, or drop you at the gate. Marine Parents notes the trolley from Old Town Transit Center stops at Washington Street, a short walk from Gate 5.

Thursday: Family Day and the Motivational Run

The Motivational Run is your first look at your new Marine, running with the graduating company past bleachers at Shepherd Field. It is short, so be in your seat well before 8:15 a.m. After the briefings and Liberty Formation, you get the rest of the day together. That liberty is on the depot only: Marines can't leave base on Family Day. MCCS lists movies, bowling, the MCX mall and depot restaurants, and the Bay View Restaurant runs a liberty lunch buffet from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. ($22.95 adults, $16.95 ages 5-11, under 5 free, gratuity included).

Friday: graduation

The optional Colors ceremony at 7:30 a.m. features Marine Band San Diego and the color guard. Seating opens at 8:30 and you must be seated by 9:45 for the 10:00 ceremony. Platoon number signs help you find your Marine afterward. Guests can't enter recruit training areas, including barracks.

Accessibility, weather and what to wear

MCCS Guest Services at the MCX Mall rents single strollers ($12), double strollers ($16), wheelchairs ($20) and electric wheelchairs ($45) from 7 a.m., first come, first served (619-725-3771), and shuttles run around the depot both days. For ASL interpreting, Marine Parents says to email mcrdsd-protocol@usmc.mil three to four weeks ahead. Dress is casual but respectful; wear walking shoes and bring a layer: one family travel guide puts spring and fall temperatures at about 60 to 75°F, and mornings by the bay start cool.

Watching the livestream

Can't make it? Ceremonies stream free on DVIDS (times shown in Eastern), the depot's YouTube channel and facebook.com/mcrdsd. The depot warns that any livestream advertisement asking for payment is fraudulent.

The Command Museum

The MCRD Command Museum is in Day Hall, Building 26, across the parade deck. Admission is free, and it stays open until 4:45 p.m. on Family Day Thursdays (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. other weekdays, closed Sundays and federal holidays). It is a good use of a slow hour during liberty.

Still need a room? See hotels families use near MCRD. For Friday afternoon, including Liberty Public Market next door and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, see things to do after graduation and the Point Loma and Old Town guides.