San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Mission Trails - Formerly Camp Elliott
Tierrasanta
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Mission Trails - Formerly Camp Elliott Marker
This area of San Diego known as Mission Trails, once was a part of Camp Elliott. It was a 13,000 acre Marine Corps Training Camp used during World War II by the Second Marine Division for artillery and tank training in addition to other specialist training. In one period, at the height of the war, 50,000 officers and men were dispatched to combat zones from Camp Elliott in a little over a year. As part of their training, weapons ranging in size from 22 caliber rifles to 155 mm field artillery were extensively fired in this area.
Salvage work has been done over the years to remove unexploded shells that might still exist. It is possible that some shells could surface due to natural erosion or other causes.
These shells which vary in size and shapes were fired over 40 years ago and may be rusty. They could still explode if mishandled.
If you should discover any suspicious object, do not touch it. Mark its location and call 911 immediately and wait for arrival of emergency crew.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II.
Location. 32° 49.524′ N, 117° 4.545′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard 2.8 miles east of Interstate 5.
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Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Providing Year-Round Water (approx. 2.1 miles away); Old Mission Dam (approx. 2.1 miles away); Mission Dam and Flume (approx. 2.2 miles away); La Capilla (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Church (approx. 3.3 miles away); Saint Didacus - San Diego (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Five Churches of Mission San Diego de Alcalα (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Garden (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.
More about this marker. Identical signs have been installed throughout the Tierrasanta community and Mission Trails Regional Park.
Also see . . . Unexploded Ordinance in Terrasanta. Even after multiple cleanups, two boys from the Tierrasanta community were killed by accidental detonation of a projectile in 1983.
While the chances of encountering unexploded ordnance are slim, the risk does exist and you should be wary of any type of old metal you might find. (Submitted on February 14, 2026.)
Additional keywords. Tierrasanta
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 17, 2026
2. Mission Trails - Formerly Camp Elliott Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 17, 2026
3. Safety Notice
Click on photos to enlarge.
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 17, 2026
4. Mission Trails Map
You Are Here at lower left.
Photographed by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret), April 8, 2023
5. Similar Marker
Photographed by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret), April 8, 2023
6. Camp Elliott Today
Public Domain
7. Tierrasanta - Formerly Camp Elliott Marker
Identical signs have been installed throughout the Tierrasanta community and Mission Trails Regional Park.
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 17, 2026
8. Terrasanta - Formerly Camp Elliott Marker
On Rueda Drive at Palabra Circle.
Photographed by Craig Baker, March 17, 2026
9. Terrasanta - Formerly Camp Elliott Marker
On Terrasanta Boulevard near Tambor Road.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2023, by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret) of Coronado, California. This page has been viewed 1,613 times since then and 212 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 14, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on March 20, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on February 14, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5, 6. submitted on April 8, 2023, by Col. James F. Jamison, USMC (Ret) of Coronado, California. 7. submitted on February 14, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 8, 9. submitted on March 20, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
