California is a large state, and with that comes a large number of military bases.
The state holds 8 Army bases total, 5 of which currently house Active Army units, 2 of which house Reserve or National Guard units or training, and one of which is completely inactive at this time.
Many of California’s Army bases were founded during the time of the Second World War, while a couple were formed in the early-to-mid 1800s.
These various founding dates show that every base in California has a rich history as well as a unique way of running today.
Related Article – Air Force Bases in California
Active Army Bases in California
Most of the bases in California are active, or at least semi-active. Active bases have units stationed year-round, while semi-active bases serve as a place for history and for occasional Reserve or National Guard training.
Each of the state’s Army bases is shown below along with their location, years of use, mission, well-known units, and a link to their official site for any additional information you may need.
Fort Irwin
Location: Barstow, California (Mojave Desert)
In Use: 1940 – Present
Overall Mission: Fort Irwin has a few main goals in its mission. These include conducting “tough and realistic” training, preparing Brigade Combat Teams for combat, and taking care of soldiers, families, and local civilians.
Units Stationed:
- 57th WG “Ravens Air Warriors”
- 11th ACR “Ironhorse”
- 11th ACR “Eaglehorse”
- NTC Operations Group
- 916th Support Brigade
- Network Enterprise Center
Official Site: https://home.army.mil/irwin/index.php
Presidio of Monterey
Location: Monterey, California
In Use: 1846 – Present
Overall Mission: The Presidio is the home of the Defense Language Institute, where service members train in foreign languages for intel and diplomatic occupations.
Monterey works to provide BASPOS support to everyone they serve, as well as to enhance readiness.
Units Stationed:
- 229th Military Intelligence Battalion
- 517th Training Group
- Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC)
- Information Warfare Training Command Monterey
- Marine Corps Detachment, Presidio of Monterey
- Mission and Installation Contracting Command
Official Site: https://home.army.mil/monterey/index.php
Fort Hunter Liggett
Location: Monterey County, CA
In Use: 1940- Present
Overall Mission: Fort Hunter Liggett’s main mission is to be a place to “live, work, and train.” They work to build mission readiness and quality of life for their soldiers and families along the way.
The base’s primary mission is training for field maneuvers and live fire exercises.
Units Stationed:
- 91st Training Division (Operations)
- Logistics Readiness Center
- 80th Training Command
- 3-356th Logistics Support Battalion
- 31st Seabee Readiness Group
- Army Corps of Engineers
- Network Enterprise Center
Official Site: https://home.army.mil/liggett/index.php
Sierra Army Depot
Location: Herlong, California
In Use: 1942- Present
Overall Mission: Sierra plays a significant role in Army readiness through craftsmen, equipment operators, machinists, and support personnel.
The installation also offers 36,000 acres of arid terrain for vehicle storage.
Units Stationed:
- N/A
Official Site: https://www.sierra.army.mil/index.html
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Camp Parks PRFTA
Location: Dublin, California
In Use: 1943- Present
Overall Mission: Camp Parks PRFTA runs under Fort Hunter Liggett. It serves primarily as a base of operations and training center for the Army Reserves.
It is known for its academics and battlefield stimulation, as well as its Military Intelligence facility.
Units Stationed:
- 1-363rd Training Support Battalion, 120th Infantry Brigade
- 191st Army Band (Band of the Wild West)
- 368th Military Intelligence Battalion
- 80th Training Command (Tass Training Center)
- 84th Training Command
- 902nd Military Intelligence Field Office
- 9th Batallation/104th Regiment (Health Services)
- Western Cyber Protection Center
- 63rd Regional Support Command
- 7305th MTSB Operations
- Western Army Reserve Intelligence Support Center
Official Site: https://home.army.mil/parks/index.php
Camp San Luis Obispo
Location: San Luis Obispo, California
In Use: 1928- Present
Overall Mission: Camp San Luis Obispo is the first home to the California National Guard and was first used by the Regular Army during World War II.
It continued to provide a staging ground for the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Today, the California Army National Guards uses the facility to host the California Military Academy, as well as provide training grounds for the Reserves.
The camp also hosts the California Cadet Corps and Civil Air Patrol.
Units Stationed:
- California National Guard units
Official Site: https://calguard.ca.gov/cslo/
Camp Roberts
Location: San Miguel, California
In Use: 1940 – Present
Overall Mission: Camp Roberts began as a WWII Army training base and was then converted to National Guard use after the conflict.
It was reactivated by the regular Army for the Korean War reactivated but then closed and turned back over to the National Guard.
The Guard continues to use Camp Roberts for training to this day. It also provides access to civilians for camping, hunting, and fishing.
Units Stationed:
- California National Guard units
Official Site: https://calguard.ca.gov/cr/
Related Article – Air Force Bases In Florida
Inactive Army Bases in California
The following California Army base no longer hosts units or training of any kind, but they are open to the public as a historical site:
Camp Haan
Location: Riverside, California
In Use: 1940-1945
Overall Mission: Fort Haan started as a place for training, ad later added a Prisoner of War camp as well as an Army hospital.
Units Stationed:
- Coast Artillery Antiaircraft Gunners
Official Site: N/A
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
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