Marine graduation?
jezuzgirl asked:
My son is graduating in January from the Marines, and I want to make reservations for a hotel a.s.a.p. He is in San Diego. I know there is Sato, which can take care of the reservations for me, but is it really at a discount? I just want to know where the best place is to book a room… Thanks.
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My son is graduating in January from the Marines, and I want to make reservations for a hotel a.s.a.p. He is in San Diego. I know there is Sato, which can take care of the reservations for me, but is it really at a discount? I just want to know where the best place is to book a room… Thanks.
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if you book a room on MCRD they are only 15 a night, but it deffinetly not the hilton. besides that your right in down town san diego so there are plenty of other hotels open to you.
For the best information about MCRD-SD Graduations, do a browser search on Max Beerup’s MCRD San Diego Graduation site. It is very comprehensive, and will give you GREAT information on where to be and when to be there, where to stand, and how the events unfold during Family Day and Graduation Day. Don’t use SATO… I did better, price wise, on my own than by using them.
There are MANY hotels around, all in a pretty small area… so use Max’s site as a place to start… and then find a hotel that fits your budget. We followed Max’s instructions to a T and were thrilled with our trip. However, we did stay at a Holiday Inn a few miles away and used a rental car. We were happy we did. Although the prices were better at the hotels he recommended, the accommodations weren’t as nice as some of the name-known hotel chains.
If price is the overriding factor, you CAN stay in billeting on base VERY inexpensively. It really enhances the experience, to be on the base. Unfortunately, you can’t make that reservation until 1 week before graduation. I recommend you make a reservation at a hotel, VERIFY that you’ll get a full refund if you cancel, and call billeting on the base 1 week beforehand. If you can get in, you can cancel the hotel reservation and you’re all set. A taxi ride from the airport to the base is less than $10.00. (I think I paid $7.50 the last time I was down there for a grad)
Congratulations to you and your soon-to-be Marine! You are really going to enjoy the graduation festivities. It’s probably one of the highlights of my life!!
If you haven’t already, check out It’s the best online resource for anything and everything Marine Corps… and you can hook up on the message boards with parents of other recruits who are in your son’s company and/or platoon! The folks there are great, and will welcome you into the Marine Corps Family with much enthusiasm!!
Have a great trip!
First of all congrats and tell your son that too. I went through San Diego for my Recruit Training so maybe this can help. The best bet is to call SATO first. They usually have some sort of deal with the local hotels. Do not try getting a room on base. When your son graduates that is probably the last place he wants to be (trust me I know from experience). After talking to SATO call some of the local hotels. They may have a room cheaper than SATO.
Also I know you didn’t ask this but this is good information, on Thursday and Friday make sure you get there early (About 7:30 to 8:00 am) on Thursday they have a motovational run, then the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor ceremony (where your son will recieve the Eagle, Globe, And Anchor from his Drill instructors), and then your New Marine (as they will call him) will have “On Base” liberty where he can go to the PX and spend time with you. On Friday of course is the Graduation. After it starts they will not let you park anywhere near the Parade Deck (where the Pass and Review is). They will have the stands seperated by Platoon Numbers. After the Pass and Review you will have until Noon to leave the base.
I hope this helps you and be proud you have a son that can claim a title that less then one percent of the U.S. population can claim.