Spotting directions for North Island/Miramar/Camp Pendleton

[mwpeters]

Hello,

I will spend this weekend in the San Diego area and I was wondering if anyone could let me know the spotting conditions for the weekend for the following bases:

* Camp Pendleton
* North Island
* Miramare
* Imperial Beach

I was wondering if activity could be seen during the weekends and if it is possible to read off serials or make picture (and from where).

Many thanks for your help!

greetz Maarten

[Basman]

For North Island, the northwestern end of Coronado Beach is the place to be. I don't know if they fly during the weekend though. Don't forget to check out the USCG HH-60's at nearby San Diego International Airport. And of course the museum carrier in the port near the city center!

If there is no flying at Miramar, you can still visit the Flying Leathernecks museum near the base. Miramar is quite difficult from the outside anyway.

Bas

[Arjan]

I believe Camp Pendleton can't be done from the outside. Concerning North Island, you can also take a boattrip that takes you closer to the helicopter ramps. I think that North Island will give you the most change of seeing active aircraft during weekends.

[d14]

Definitely seen Miramar Hornets flying out of NI on a Saturday a couple of years ago, together with a few helicopter movements. If you drive/go up to Fort Rosencrans or Cabrillo, which are worth visiting anyway, you get a great overview of most of the field.

Miramar is difficult in my experience and not sure about weekend flying.

Last time I went to Imperial Beach was a Friday and they were still flying circuits until it was getting dark around 1800.

Also, think about going to Brown Field. I've usually seen military visitors there - often batches of Miramar Hornets, but USN T45, USCG C130 etc. Make sure you can see all the ramps though - you'll need to drive around the north side to see where the hornets usually park.

[mwpeters]

Thanks guys, will show a report soon if I log anything!

[orange]

At Miramar, all the stuff away for the weekend RTBs sundays after 15.00.

[blazesixate]

YOU WILL get a visit from SF around Miramar -they patrol outside the base perimeter w/ regularity & have remote cams deployed. NASNI is best enjoyed off of the sands of Dog Beach in Coronado.

[mwpeters]

Hi guys,

went to Miramar and had a good visit, no trouble at all with police. Spend about three-four hours on several locations including photography in the landing zone.

[Basman]

went to Miramar and had a good visit, no trouble at all with police. Spend about three-four hours on several locations including photography in the landing zone.

Would like to hear some more info. How was flying activity (you were there in a weekend right?). At which spots did you stay?

I was there in january '17. It was one of the rare rainy days in the area, even the Hercs on the line were hard to read . No concrete plans to go back soon, but we do have friends in the SD area so it probably was not the last time we have been there.

Bas

[Marco DeG]

If you have spare time in the weekend don't forget San Diego Brown Field Municipal.....while relaxing in the near by waterpark I saw several Hornets but also C-130's landing at Brown Field.....even on google earth you can see 4 F-18's on the ramp...

Do not forget this one....

https://goo.gl/maps/tEGKjyf8yPD2

and North Island is a nice place in the afternoon on the mentioned beach...

Have fun,
Marco

[mwpeters]

went to Miramar and had a good visit, no trouble at all with police. Spend about three-four hours on several locations including photography in the landing zone.

Would like to hear some more info. How was flying activity (you were there in a weekend right?). At which spots did you stay?

I was there in january '17. It was one of the rare rainy days in the area, even the Hercs on the line were hard to read . No concrete plans to go back soon, but we do have friends in the SD area so it probably was not the last time we have been there.

Bas

Hi Bas,

we were there between 14:00 and 18:00 I would say. No activity at all untill 16:00, but then 5 AL F-16s departed from Runway 24R. We standed at the crashgate on the Western end near the Osprey ramp. From here we could easily read the departing F-16s. Also 2 CH-53s and 2 V-22's departed and these could be photographed as well, although the light was nto really good as you are facing the sun.

Reading the V-22 platform was done from a transport company premises:

7077 Consolidated Way ste g, San Diego, CA 92121, USA.

Around 17:00 multiple Hornets came in and a UC-35. We photographed these while landing at RWY 24R just after the exit of Interstate 15 on Miramar Way. From a little bit further, near the main gate we read the Hercs.

[fire28]

So you stopped on the side of I15 with no parking signs and got away with it?