Moving to Presidio of Monterey & Naval Postgraduate School
The Presidio of Monterey is home to the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, where service members study foreign languages, and it sits beside the Naval Postgraduate School on California's Central Coast. It is the last active military presidio in California, and most students and staff are on short, school-year style assignments. Life is scenic and outdoorsy, but housing is expensive and on-post homes are limited.
| Branch | Army / Navy |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Monterey, CA |
| Airports | Monterey Regional (MRY); San Jose (SJC) and San Francisco (SFO) are the larger options, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours away by car |
| Climate | Mild coastal climate with cool, foggy summers and rainy, moderate winters |
| Cost of living | Very high; the median home prices cited by a local guide run from about $600,000 in Salinas to well over $1 million in Pacific Grove and Carmel |
| On-base housing | Monterey Bay Military Housing (The Parks at Monterey Bay), managed by Lincoln Military Housing |
| Medical care | Army health clinic serving the Presidio and Ord Military Community (see Military OneSource Health Care page); Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and the VA Monterey Clinic in Seaside are nearby |
| Family support center | Military and Family Support Center (Army Community Service) |
Where families live
Ord Military Community (on post)
Single-family homes and duplexes near Marina with parks, trails, a commissary and an exchange. Families assigned to Defense Language Institute duty are typically placed here.
La Mesa Village (on post)
Houses, duplexes and townhomes near the Naval Postgraduate School, with the housing welcome center and an elementary school close by.
Seaside
One of the more budget-friendly nearby cities and close to the base, with a mix of older homes and apartments.
Marina
Newer subdivisions a short drive from the Presidio and near Ord Military Community; a popular pick for military buyers and renters.
Pacific Grove
Historic Victorian homes and waterfront living; pricey but very walkable, and known for well-regarded schools.
Salinas
Larger and more affordable than the peninsula cities, with suburban and rural pockets; a longer commute is the trade-off.
Schools
Most families on the peninsula are served by Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, with Pacific Grove, Carmel and Salinas-area districts as other options depending on where you live. There are no DoDEA schools here. Contact the installation School Liaison Office for help with enrollment and transfers.
- Monterey Peninsula Unified School District — Serves Monterey, Seaside, Marina and Del Rey Oaks, including the on-post housing areas.
- Pacific Grove Unified School District — Frequently cited by local guides as a top-rated option for families living in Pacific Grove.
- Carmel Unified School District — Serves Carmel and nearby areas; housing in this zone is very expensive.
On the installation: La Mesa Elementary School (adjacent to the La Mesa Village housing office area)
School Liaison Office through the Presidio of Monterey Military and Family Support Center
Things to do near Presidio of Monterey & Naval Postgraduate School
- Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery RowfamilyA world-famous aquarium on the waterfront, surrounded by restaurants and shops.
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation TrailoutdoorsAn 18-mile paved route for biking, jogging and walking along the bay.
- Point Lobos State Natural ReserveoutdoorsCoastal trails, tide pools and wildlife viewing just south of Carmel.
- Asilomar State Beach and Lovers Point ParkoutdoorsBeaches and tide-pool areas in Pacific Grove, good for relaxed family days.
- Garland Ranch Regional ParkoutdoorsHiking trails in the Carmel Valley hills.
- Carmel Mission BasilicamuseumA historic mission and gallery-filled village nearby.
- Pacific Grove Museum of Natural HistorymuseumA small local museum that suits younger kids.
- Monterey Jazz FestivalnightlifeA long-running annual music festival held in Monterey.
- Pebble Beach Concours d'ElegancesportsAn annual classic car event on the Monterey Peninsula.
Realtors & local services
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- Lincoln Military Housing / Monterey Bay Military Housingproperty managementMonterey
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Local programs & support
- Presidio of Monterey Military and Family Support CenterOffers relocation assistance, a loan closet, financial help, employment help and the New Parent Support Program.
- Housing Services Office (off-post housing)Helps with off-post rentals, landlord disputes and Exceptional Family Member Program housing questions.
PCS tips for Presidio of Monterey & Naval Postgraduate School
- On-post housing can open up in as little as one to 90 days during peak PCS season, but call the housing welcome center as soon as orders arrive to get on the list.
- Families enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program should contact the Housing Services Office before arriving.
- Off-post rents are steep (roughly $1,750 to $2,300 for a one-bedroom and $2,150 to $2,700 for a two-bedroom, per a local guide), so compare BAH with real listings early.
- Many students are on school-length tours, so check your lease terms and military clause before signing off-post.
- Pack layers: summers are cool and foggy even when inland California is hot.
Benefits to use on this move
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA)Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
- Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
- VA Home Loan GuarantyService members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
- Pet Transportation ReimbursementFamilies moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenSchool-age children of active duty families changing schools
- School Liaison ProgramParents choosing schools and transferring records
Other installations in the California
Last researched 2026-10. Housing partners, school assignments and phone numbers change; confirm with the installation before you sign anything. Spot an error? Send a correction.