{"id":22954,"date":"2018-01-19T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-01-19T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/01\/19\/top-5-naval-bases\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:14:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:14:27","slug":"top-5-naval-bases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/off-duty\/military-culture\/2018\/01\/19\/top-5-naval-bases\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 naval bases"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019ve thrown down on the Marine Corps, the Army<\/a>, and now it\u2019s time for the Navy. The top 5 naval bases are sure to have some people groan, some disagree and some nod their head in joyful nostalgia. The sun, the surf, food, and activities available help us round out this list.
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1. Naval Station Rota<\/b>
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What more, in life is there than beautiful beaches, great food, and great drink? Not much. At Naval Station Rota you\u2019ll find all of the above and then some along with vibrant nightlife for the younger single sailors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Naval Air Station Sigonella<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Capt. Brent Trickel, commanding officer of Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, salutes the flag during the national anthem during a 9\/11 remembrance ceremony at NAS Sigonella, Sicily, on Sept. 11, 2017. (MC2 Christopher Gordon\/Navy)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Much like the Army, if you\u2019re in Italy, you\u2019re extremely close to a lot of really great European travel destinations and the local cuisine is hard to beat. Couple that with the rich history of Italy and the Mediterranean Sea, there are tons of places to eat drink and be merry or enjoy a day on the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Naval Air Station Pensacola<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Personnel and participants from Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., attend a 10th anniversary observance ceremony at the Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in 2011. (Scott Hallford\/Navy)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Home of the United States Navy\u2019s Blue Angel flight demonstration team, Pensacola, Florida offers some great weather (minus the hurricanes) and great beaches along the Gulf Coast. There is an Air Museum if you want to get off the beach and out of the heat as well as great seafood dining opportunities as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Naval Base Pearl Harbor<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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U.S. Navy sailors render honors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) on Nov. 21, 2017, as the ship passes the USS Arizona Memorial at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. (MC3 Cole Schroeder\/Navy)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What more can be said about this base? The rich history, Arizona Memorial, the tropic paradise. Yes, we know the locals aren\u2019t the biggest fans and cost of living is pretty high, but the truth is you make the most of where you\u2019re at and you\u2019re in a sunny tropical paradise with tons of stuff to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Naval Base Coronado<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The USS Ronald Reagan heads out to sea with the San Diego skyline in the background Jan. 4, 2006, at Naval Air Station Coronado, California. (Sandy Huffaker\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Located just a short drive away is San Diego (it means, a whales\u2026) a beautiful city with a huge military presence and there is again, a plethora of things to do from surfing to golf, to Sea World, harbor tours and so much more. San Diego is a town where you can always find something to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally published by American Grit<\/a>. Read more from their site here:<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n