Hey - they can always take the sleeping bags home with them.

But they'd STILL have to spend the $$$

Janis, your point is valid and I think they need to borrow the equipment from friends. If they are driving they are likely from out West. The odds of them knowing someone with a tent they can borrow and sleeping bags is reasonably likely.

I also think that a lot of people appreciate the efforts of our service personnel and would want to help them. We're all strangers and we're putting some time into it.

BTW the only things they really need are a cheap $8 tarp to go underneath a tent, the tent itself and 5 air mattresses and 5 sleeping bags. Extra blankets if the sleeping bags are not real heavy duty. They can eat at fast food or Subway just the same as if they were in a cheap hotel.

Spending the $$$ on sleeping bags/tent would be better spent put towards a hotel, IMO.

They should also talk to their son. He may have received a list of recommended places to stay for families coming for the event, and possibly special rates for it.

If the Navy Lodge does not pan out, and if the son doesn't have any info, I would start looking at Priceline options, even if means having to book two rooms. With it being Thanksgiving and short notice, I think realistically their budget is going to have to be upped a tad. First thing though, is for their son to call the Navy Lodge asap if they want any hope for that.

Best wishes to them

I just spoke to my husband about the Navy Lodge. It is in Coronado (a 25 minute drive from MCRD) and probably not that convenient. The Navy Lodge in Coronado is fairly small and I'm sure booked for that weekend.

My husband said he was able to check out cheap hotels and found a very nice one (Days Inn) in Loma Portal (about 5-10 or less minutes from MCRD). Their rates are between $62-89/night and the web site is very nice. He gave them their number so hopefully this will work out. And it appears that they would be allowed to have 2 adults and 3 teens in the room.

Thanks so much to everyone!!

Nanabee--There are a couple Navy Lodges in the area. There is one at North Island as well as at San Diego. The Days Inn rate is comparable to the NL though, so looks like your DH found something that might work.

So glad the OP found something that worked out!

Amen - glad you helped them find something. As for Boot graduations - nobody does it better than the Marines.

You are right Tomsd!

mms, The Navy Lodge at North Island NAS (I often just say Coronado as it is abuts Coronado) is really nice. My brother in law and sister have stayed there a few times. I've often thought it'd be fun to stay there myself. It's right on the sandy beach overlooking the ocean.

nanabee--I've stayed there too We try to use those when we can. DH was a geo bachelor at Point Loma for a while and his room in the BOQ was right smack on the water. Rough life, huh? LOL! Guess it partially made up for over 20 years worth of deployments. Maybe, lol

That Days Inn is not in a bad location at all and it works. I have driven past it many times. Glad it worked out for them.