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Camp San Luis Obispo at one time served as an Infantry Division Camp and Cantonment Area for the US Army during the second World War. Today, it’s still maintained and includes a heliport, warehouse complex, workshops, maintenance facilities, administrative buildings, chapels, two service clubs, two theaters, laundry and post exchange. The history of Camp San Luis Obispo is closely tied to Camp Merriam and the Baywood Park Training Area. While most of the training facilities in California have been closed or greatly minimized, Camp San Luis Obispo continues to be a high quality training camp with field and garrison facilities. The camp continues to provide operational, logistical support and training to all kinds of civilian and military agencies at the local, state and federal areas.
History of Camp San Luis Obispo
The California Legislature originally created the California Militia in 1850. The militia became the California National Guard in 1928 and trained at areas that were available such as ranches, state parks and other open fields. After World War I, the need grew for a training site and thus led to the creation of Camp Merriam in San Luis Obispo. The name would change to Camp San Luis Obispo in 1940 when the Army began training at the site.
The original camp spanned across 5,800 acres just east and north of State Highway 1. The camp originally had 400 more acres, but this was transferred to the State Department of Corrections in 1952. The camp was divided into two areas including the artillery camp and a bigger infantry camp. Today only parts of the artillery camp remain.
In 1940, the US government leased Camp San Luis Obispo from the State. The compound would become home to the 40th Infantry Division, which included installations from California, Utah and Arizona. There were also several other infantry divisions that followed increasing the camp’s size to almost 5,000 acres. The cantonment area began construction in 1940 and was completed in 1941. The Army also added 4,170 acres at the Salinas River, which was 20 miles east of Camp San Luis Obispo. This became the Salinas Dam and a supplemental source of water for the camp.
Several combat divisions trained at Camp San Luis Obispo who would head to the Pacific and Europe battlefronts once finished. Marine Corps also moved into Camp San Luis Obispo from Camp Matthews after the limited ranges and training facilities could no longer support the extra 5,000 Marines. They completed marksmanship and other training.
In 1946, Camp San Luis Obispo went back to the State of California even though the cantonment area did not originally belong to the state. It was still provided in lieu of restoration. At such time, the reorganization of the California National Guard also took place. The camp became the headquarters for the US Property and Fiscal Office of California, which provided fiscal and logistical support for all of the California National Guard. The camp also served as a training site for the 40th and 49th Infantry Divisions in addition to the California National Guard and other non-divisional parties.
The Army resumed control after the outbreak of the Korean war in 1940. The 40th Infantry Division and other support units with the California National Guard used the facilities as a Class I installation. By 1965, the camp had again returned to state control. The California Military Academy was established here after a need was recognized for better training facilities. Thus, the academic complex at Camp San Luis Obispo was constructed and created the 6th US Army sponsored unit training schools.
The largest military exercise ever conducted occurred at Camp San Luis Obispo in August 1984 when the US Army launched GALLANT EAGLE. Other exercises have also taken place here such as LASTING RESPONSE, which incorporated other countries and continues to be in operation at the camp for the past 10 years.
The cantonment area at Camp San Luis Obispo offers housing for more than 2,000 people within normal parameters, but this number can jump to 3,500 in times of emergency. There are 11 separate dining facilities currently available at the compound, which can feed 3,000 people.
Today at Camp San Luis Obispo
Operational, training and logistical support are available here for several agencies including the California Army and Air National Guard, the US Coast Guard reserve, California Specialized Training Institute, the US Army Reserve, the California Conservation Corps, Cuesta Community College and the California Department of Transportation.
Units of the Guard, Army Reserve and Active Army all live at facilities on Camp San Luis Obispo for two to three week periods during training in summer months. Training facilities at the camp include obstacle courses, firing maneuvers, ranges, land navigation and leadership reaction courses. There are also field training exercises for battalion size operations that include 1,000 personnel.
Baywood Park Training Area
The Baywood Park Training Area used to be located about 13 miles north of San Luis Obispo. The US Army created the area out of 8,810 acres of land during World War II to use as an off-post training and exercise facility for Camp San Luis Obispo. Most of the area was used for maneuvers for troops, equipment and military vehicles. The US Navy and Marine Corps both utilized portions of the site along Morror Bay and the ocean front. Baywood was declared an excess site after World War II and is now owned by private individuals.
Billeting and Housing at Camp San Luis Obispo
On-base housing is available for those who are training or stationed at Camp San Luis Obispo. Billeting is also available and can be reached at 805-594-6500. Eligibility for billeting access includes all active duty, active guard and reserve personnel, dependents, retired service members, state and DoD government employees. There is also an RV park for those who are visiting Camp San Luis Obispo.
