Mega-bases like Camp Pendleton offer comforts of home, minus civilians

Master Sgt. Rick Duran, left, plays horseshoes with nephew Manny Higuera on the beach at Camp Pendleton, which has 17 miles of shoreline.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

June 12, 2015 10:04 PM PT

Some experts fear family-friendly bases like the Marines’ Camp Pendleton may inadvertently reinforce the divide between the military and civilians.

Makayla Balderas admires the uniforms for sale as she shops on base with her family.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Cpl. Jordan Ziegler shops on base with daughters Delilah, left, and
Adelaide. Groceries at the commissary are up to 30% less than off base.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Cpl. Justin MacRae, center, works out on base with Sgt. Samuel McGlennen, left, and Sgt. Andrew Jones.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Marines line up for lunch at one of Camp Pendleton’s 20 fast-food restaurants.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Adrianna Van Horn greets her father, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Joshua Van Horn, upon his return from a six-month deployment in Afghanistan.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)

Staff Sgt. Antonio Henderson with son Arias after returning to Camp Pendleton from a six-month deployment in Afghanistan.

(Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)