Wax up those surfboards and grab your sunscreen—you're headed to Cali, brah! San Diego, California, has been dubbed "America's Finest City," and it's easy to see why. A near-perfect climate, 70 miles of pristine Pacific coastline, fantastic scenery, countless family-friendly activities, outdoor adventures aplenty, gnarly surfing, and world-class golfing all make an assignment to San Diego one that military families cherish and help explain why so many choose to retire in the area.

Southern California is known for both mellow weather and mellow people. Inland towns can experience warmer temperatures, but the coastal regions maintain mild 65- to 80-degree temperatures year-round, with breezes coming in from the Pacific. The "May Gray" and "June Gloom" that the coastal regions "suffer" refer to the fog that rolls in during the early summer months. The fog keeps daytime temperatures low until the sun burns off in the late afternoon. Otherwise, the area maintains a glorious, Mediterranean-like climate with continual ocean swells ideal for epic surfing.

Speaking of surfing, we should probably take a second to talk about surf culture. San Diego is known for some of the best beaches for surfing, and a reverence for the sport's history is woven into everything from the food to the local dialect. Flip flops, shaggy hair, and untucked shirts are the norm. You'll often find locals taking lunch breaks on the beach or families catching a sunset after dinner. Whether you're a maverick or new to surfing, take a second to acquaint yourself with local surf etiquette before shredding. Be realistic about your abilities and find a beach that suits your skills. Also, invest in a wetsuit. This is not the Atlantic, and the water is chilly!

San Diego is home to several Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard bases and is a large metropolitan area with a population of almost 1.4 million people. The central areas are densely populated, and a robust tourism industry adds to the congestion. While commuting is an issue, the roads and highways are well-planned, and bottlenecks are infrequent. Most San Diegans live by a "20-minute rule," which means they limit their commutes (or travel time to the beach) to 20 minutes or less. If you can't live near the water, try to situate yourself close to a freeway. Average commute times in San Diego are 25 to 30 minutes. Traffic does pick up considerably during tourist season (May through September), and parking can be troublesome near most destinations and beaches. Touring up and down the coast is made easy by the Coaster Train and the Amtrak Surfliner.

If you're not enjoying the gorgeous beaches and picturesque hiking trails, you can try the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, LEGO-LAND, Balboa Park, the USS Midway Museum, or the Birch Aquarium. And don't forget that San Diego has a dining and beer scene that is the stuff of any respectable epicurean's dreams. Some of the most fantastic tourist spots on the West Coast are within a few hours' drive from San Diego. Temecula's Wine Country, Palm Springs, Borrego Springs, Disneyland in Anaheim, Los Angeles, and Joshua Tree National Park are all just an hour or two away. The Pacific Coast Highway starts at Dana Point in Orange County and can take you as far as your heart desires to up the scenic California coastline. You can head into the nearby mountains for hiking, camping (or glamping), or exploring the desert. Mexico is just across the border to the south, and you can fill your cultural cup—and your stomach— in Tijuana, Ensenada, or Valle de Guadalupe. Pick a destination and go on an adventure! The abundance of "memory-making" excursions is one of California's most incredible perks—and certainly something you won't experience at many other duty stations.