San Diego is known for its idyllic climate, pristine beaches, and fan-favorite tourist attractions, making it one of the United States’ most vibrant cities. But what you might not know about this Pacific Coast city is that it has a long-established connection to the U.S. military. San Diego is currently one of the largest active-duty and Veteran military centers in the country and is home to the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, located just across the bay.

So, just where can you spot Navy SEAL training in San Diego? On Coronado Island, across the bay from downtown San Diego.

Since the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado serves as the home for Navy SEALs stationed on the West Coast, if you head out for a relaxing day on Coronado Beach, you might just spot the Navy SEALs completing drills and training. Sound exciting? We’re going to give you all the tricks and tips that we know about Navy SEAL team training so that you’ll be able to see them on your next trip.

Training at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado

The Naval Amphibious Base (NAB) Coronado, located just across San Diego Bay from downtown, is the centerpiece of U.S. Navy SEAL training on the West Coast. Coronado serves as:

• Home base for West Coast SEAL Teams, including SEAL Team 1, 3, 5, 7, and Naval Reserve teams such as SEAL Team 17 & 18.

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• Headquarters for Special Boat Team 12, which supports special operations forces with specialized craft and training environments.
• The location for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, one of the most physically demanding military training programs in the world.

These units fall under Commander, Naval Special Warfare Group and Commander, Naval Special Forces Pacific, which oversee recruitment, training, and readiness for operational duties.

BUD/S Training Elements

The multi-stage training pipeline includes several escalating phases designed to test candidates physically and mentally:

1. Initial Conditioning: Time spent improving swimming technique, tackling obstacle courses, and demonstrating teamwork under fatigue.
2. Hell Week: A notoriously brutal five-to-seven-day period where candidates train around the clock, often with only a few hours of sleep. Very few candidates pass this stage.
3. Advanced Tactical Training: Focuses on combat skills, leadership, maritime operations, and advanced warfare techniques.

This pipeline is designed to break down recruits and build elite operators — only a small percentage complete all phases and earn the SEAL Trident.

The Challenges of Navy SEAL Training

Becoming a Navy SEAL requires grit, an ironclad will, and a ton of determination.

There are six stages of SEAL training where recruits are pushed to the absolute limits. In the first three stages, recruits push themselves to see if they have the mental and physical readiness to succeed in the overall program. During these short few weeks, individuals tackle obstacle courses, improve their swimming skills, and come to understand the value of teamwork.

Next, the infamous “Hell Week” begins. Trainees are expected to perform operational tasks for over 20 hours a day and maintain peak mental and physical performance. Pushed to perform in physically uncomfortable environments, they must show a strong commitment and dedication to their teammates and the program.

The last stage of training for SEAL candidates is the longest, and they spend time focusing on advanced tactical training. If candidates can pass this final stage and show that they have what it takes to join the military’s most elite team, they’re rewarded with the prestigious title of Navy SEAL.

U.S. Navy SEALs Activities on Coronado Beach

While the U.S. Navy Special Warfare Command values secrecy, most SEAL team training is conducted in public. The San Diego County Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, San Clemente Island, and, of course, Coronado Beach are just a few of the popular training destinations of the SEALs.

Have we piqued your interest in seeing the Navy SEALs hard at work training? Well, you're in luck because we have all the details and information you'll need the next time you head out to Coronado Beach.

The beach, just south of the Hotel Del Coronado and located just a hop, skip, and a jump away from NAB Coronado, is an exceedingly popular Navy SEAL training location. If you’re lucky, you might get to see SEAL candidates attempt to surf the rubber boats onto the rocks and haul them ashore.

Don’t worry if you don’t get to see the entire exercise because the losing team’s punishment is to exercise (run up and down the beach) while carrying that heavy rubber boat above their heads.

Be sure to also take a look out into the ocean, as you’ll get to see the first-place team relaxing in their boat, taking in all the glory. All the instructors are Navy SEALs themselves and are usually seen donning blue shorts, a t-shirt, and a blue hat. If you see an individual with a microphone shouting at a group of students, it's a pretty safe bet that you’ve found a Navy SEAL instructor.

During Hell Week, students and instructors can be seen running up and down the beach in combat boots. If you head over to Silver Strand State Beach, not too far from Coronado, it’s highly likely that you’ll see U.S. Navy SEAL students and their instructors. Here, you'll witness similar training exercises as the instructors are testing the students’ physical endurance and leadership skills.

JD Vance Trains With Navy SEALs in California

In late December 2025, Vice President J.D. Vance participated in a high-intensity workout with Navy SEAL personnel at NAB Coronado. Vance, a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, completed a 90-minute physical training session that included traditional SEAL conditioning exercises such as:

• Running on the beach
• Rope and net climbing
• Log carries

According to Vance, the SEALs “took it easy on me and I still feel like I got hit by a freight train.” He posted this reflection on his social media account following the workout.

While participating alongside active SEALs, Vance used the opportunity to laud the high standards maintained by U.S. special operations forces and the importance of physical readiness.

He stated that he was “grateful to all of our warriors who keep us safe and keep the highest standards anywhere in the world.”

Where to Watch SEAL Activities

Coronado Beach & Silver Strand State Beach

The beaches south of the Hotel del Coronado and along the Silver Strand are the most common public vantage points for witnessing SEAL conditioning and team exercises. From these locations, you may see:

• SEAL candidates hauling inflatable boats ashore and sprinting drills across sand.
• Ruck runs and teamwork exercises with heavy gear.
• Running in combat boots, log carries, and timed conditioning circuits.
• Instruction led by active SEAL instructors, often distinguishable by their relaxed-fit shorts and training gear.

While security protocols prevent close-up viewing of classified training, many portions of conditioning and surf drills can be seen from public areas during daylight hours.

Public Access Tips:

• Go early in the morning when SEAL training units typically conduct conditioning exercises.
• Bring binoculars for distant viewing rather than attempting to approach active ranges or secured portions of the base.
• Training varies daily and is weather- and operationally dependent.

Off-Duty Spots Where You Might Spot U.S. Navy SEALs

Due to training taking place on Coronado Beach, many of the SEALs reside in San Diego. For some Navy SEALs, San Diego is just not close enough, so Coronado and Imperial Beach have become known as the top places to live while completing training.

After a day of grueling Navy SEAL training, food is likely the first thing on everyone’s mind. So, if you're looking for a bite to eat or a drink and hoping to see some SEALs while enjoying your meal, you’ll definitely want to stop by McP’s Irish Pub.

This pub is a famous SEAL team bar and was founded by SEAL Team 1 member Greg McPartlin. A favorite amongst tourists and locals for its atmosphere and food, it’s a must-stop for Navy SEAL enthusiasts.

After Navy SEAL training, San Diego’s Danny’s Palm Bar, located on Coronado, is always filled with hungry SEALs. It's conveniently located only a few blocks away from McP’s and is famous for having one of the best burgers in San Diego.

So, the next time you’re visiting San Diego, make sure to spend a day at Coronado Beach and check out the USS Midway Museum. If you're longing to see Navy SEAL training and catch a glimpse of the U.S. Naval Special Forces, Coronado Beach is the place to be.

Read next:

• Why Don’t Sailors Ever Wash Their Navy Coffee Mugs?
• Navy Basic Training: Everything You Need to Know
• Trump Unveils Major Navy Fleet Shift: What It Means For Sailors, Bases, and Sea Duty in 2026

Image: AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File; Coronado Historical Association