10/08/23- Monday (Holiday) It's been awhile since I went to this base. The mini-mart is closed :-( I miss coming here buying some Navy stuff to give for presents or collections. We also did our PFA Test/ Physical Fitness Test when I was a recruiter in Southern Zone (Carson, Long Beach, Lakewood, Torrance and San Pedro) read more

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Pass n ID is horrible. No other option so got to suck it up. You wait outside and hope they see you

"Alright, ya bastards!" I yelled while chambering a round into the big 50cal mounted amidships. "Line it up and look sharp...NOW!" We were going to have some fun one way or the other. The US military is often shrouded in secrecy in what they do and how they do it. Rightfully so. Ergo, when an opportunity knocks to present some part of it to civilian eyes, well, you should answer the knock and see what your tax dollars are buying these days. An "open house" opportunity afforded itself for us to tour the USS Gridley, a modern guided-missile destroyer spanning 511', displacing 9000 tons and hosting a crew of 300 men and women. Yes, women. Over 40% of the crew is of the fairer sex. And soon, women will be part of future submarine crews. And so it goes. While America may be slow at transitioning to an equal representation of the populace, the military is coming on strong in allowing women to compete in historically male-dominated services. Why, there's even lots of female fighter pilots out there (ahem). Hurray for them! Whoo-hoo! But I digress. Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station has been serving the USN for decades providing supplies to send our ships into harm's way prepared for anything. This particular ship (USS Gridley) is assisting in the free movement of ships plying international waters as well as containing a pirate infestation (I think "infestation" is an apt term for pirates...like rats, they need to be exterminated). The NWSSB also provides a very large safe haven for the preservation and conservation of native plants and animals, sea-life and birds at the National Wildlife Refuge. Endangered species, such as the light-footed clapper rail and Belding's savannah sparrow have a refuge here. The Weapons Station is also home to the West Coast site of the World War II Submarine Memorial. The Memorial is dedicated to the over 3000 submariners who lost their lives in US submarines in the 52 submarines lost during WWII (http://www.yelp.com/biz/world-war-ii-submarine-memorial---west-seal-beach#hrid:_M-tLw5Bz8gnTTkXk4SUhA). Two plaques are dedicated to the men who lost their lives in submarine accidents during the Cold War. The Memorial is located outside the main entrance to the Weapons Station on Seal Beach Boulevard and is open to the public. It's not difficult to get in to witness some of the key functions of this Navy-operated station and as a taxpayer, you owe it to yourself to see how our government spends your hard-earned dollars. You should take every opportunity to participate in an "open house" to observe, question, listen and learn. After all, in a way, you own it. read more

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As many times as I've passed by this facility I'll never truly know what's going on here.It's physically daunting to drive by especially at night time and equally daunting seeing its sheer size on a map. Developed during World War II for loading, unloading, and storing of ammunition for the Pacific Fleet. Now it's the research and development facility of missiles, torpedoes and conventional ammo. Rumor has it that it's also a store for nuclear armaments, but the Navy is keeping mum about it. During my night time drives back from the beach I'll peer deep into the inky blackness of the fields and fluctuate between the wonder of what maze of things exist there and the fear of what would happen to me if I stopped to be a bit too curious. I've been told that if your car were to break down anywhere in the OC, this would be the place to be because the M.P. would intercept you, fix up your shit, and get you out of there as fast as possible. So I can only imagine the number of eyes and cameras that must be trained on me as I pass the outskirts of the barbed wire fences. This place will always be a true mystery, which I guess, adds to its sketchy charm. read more

Really like this place. Been here a few times with my family to check out the docked navy ships that attract thousands of people every year or so. We last went in August 2009 for USS Benfold and it was very nice. It's great how they managed parking quite well, otherwise it would have been chaos. Can't forget the high security either. It was very interesting checking out the different areas of the ship and learning the history of various things amongst it. It was pretty darn cool also to be up close to a helicopter! read more

Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach - Boat Repair Near Me - Seal Beach, California

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Great comm shop atmosphere sometimes asked me to clean and organize but the other custodians around me made it not that bad. They put me in a hotel but made me set the thermostat at 45 degrees and had a higher up take all the blankets but at least I had a bed. They also ordered in and out and chick fil a for lunch, so decent food. Overall experience was great, highly recommend. read more

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Thanks for putting on a great open house this weekend! The USS Benfold (DDG 65) was in port and available for public tours. They also brought in a US Army Blackhawk, USMC Humvee and 5-ton truck, and some firetrucks from Seal Beach and the USN. Also some souvenir tents, a snack truck, and some port-a-potties. Good times for young and old.... well worth the 2-hour wait in line before getting on board. For the most part, it was organized well. Entry and parking was through the Liberty Gate, and they thought to put signs at the Main Gate with signs pointing to "Open House." The ship's crew, SPs, cadets, and volunteers were all friendly and helpful, but firm (e.g., no bags allowed, and they made sure people knew while still in line but still far from the metal detectors). My only complaint was that I wished they had kicked out all the cars who stopped to drop off passengers, which then blocked traffic. Throw them into the drink! read more

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Popped my dumpster diving cherry here yesterday (I DEFINITELY don't remember that being part of my job description) Oh well. GO NAVY! :P read more

The best naval weapons station in SoCal. Often times I get into a dispute with my neighbor and need a little something to resolve the problem. I am always able to find that something at NWSSB. The service is great, and they have a great selection of weapons to choose from. Whether you just need some small arms, heavy assault weapons, mines, or, for really difficult neighbors, megaton nuclear weapons. You can't go wrong with the Family Pack, which includes four machine guns, four grenades, two Tomahawks, and bonus flamethrower. If you ask politely they might throw in the 'Mr. Pacifier' nuclear landmine. If good fences make good neighbors, imagine how good your neighbor will be with a nuclear minefield between your properties! You could take over an African country with that stash! I have never been disappointed at NWSSB. Hopefully they stay open for a very long time. read more

Nice base but nothing special. I lived here with my husband for about a year after we got married. There were always a ton of cool animals because of refuge. A lot of cool old building like places to take pictures. The NEX was kinda small, but they did move to a different building after we left. They just redid all the barracks and they look like hotel rooms! Baseball field was nice, have bleachers for watching. The 'beach house' they have is located on a nice private beach on base. We liked to take our dogs down there to run around and play in the water. They really enjoyed it, and it was nice cause there was usually no one there! Overall a nice, small base. read more

Endless berms of who knows what. Apparently you can go in and visit the wildlife center, but you need an escort who works there. read more

I give the base one star because of the unpleasant civilian and guard at check in. They are the type of people that ruin your day because of the unnecessary rudeness. Learn to smile ladies , something little like that can make all the difference. read more

Oct. 2012 Open House. Pros: Great Tour. Cons: 4 1/2~5 hour WAIT! Standing in the sun for 5 hrs. was ridiculous and INHUMANE! It could have been avoided. (A number system, assigned appointments, etc.) NEVER AGAIN!!! read more

Former Employee, Great bosses, Excellent place to work for if you are enlisted or contract. Look for opportunities on Craigslist, Sometimes they post. Friends are treated like family. Perfect life experience. Enjoy visiting and taking tour of base. We have an entertainment center at the Gym. read more

Nice Rv setup great for a vacation spot