This place is an Onion disguised as an Orchid. Below is my review, as I had lived there for most of 2011. This review is LONG overdue. I would first like to give thanks to Ms. Liz Morris and Ms. Gaby Kirkland for being the only 2 staff members that I have witnessed put forth the same effort as you, the resident. I have been nothing but kind, respectful, and considerate to the Pacific Beacon during my time there, however none of these values were given back to me. After living at the 'Beacon', I feel similar to food in the digestive process; I went in healthy as ever, free of stress, and I came out the complete opposite. ***!-PARKING-!*** My first point on why I wouldn't recommend living at the pacific beacon is due to their horrible resident parking violators. The beacon offers parking for residents through the use of a parking garage/structure. On a daily basis, literally every day, there are cars parked so horribly that they use up 2 or more parking spots. THIS goes unpunished, again every day and causes one to go up and down the parking structure searching for a spot to park. I have come home between 8pm-1am and I have both witnessed and passed by the most horrid parking I have ever seen. The most cars I've seen at one time was 18 cars parked so crooked that they either eliminated the parking spot next them or took up even THREE parking spots on the most extreme scale. If there are 18 cars parked improperly that means a total of 36 parking spots are taken. So imagine getting home after a long day's work or even after a fun day out, and you try to park in a spot that's open. NOPE! Both cars on each side of your space have parked so much outside the lines that only a motorcycle could fit comfortably in there, forcing you to look elsewhere-----and this occurs on most floors. I have taken pictures of these people's license plates and given them to the front desk/concierge NUMEROUS TIMES to let them know about this issue and not only does the problem continue, but NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE at all to resolve it. It's as if no one cared. Still to this day it is an unresolved issue (10-Oct-2011). ***!-OVERPRICED-!*** A 'single' E4 & below Navy sailor with no dependents receives $1464 BAH in the San Diego area. A room at the Pacific Beacon starts at $1035 MINIMUM, and that's if you get a room on the first floor (Most of the time they are all taken). HERE is what is unfair: Since you cannot choose the availability of a room, you may end up having to stay in a higher floor-----Meaning you'll pay $50-$100-$150-etc. extra for the same room just on a higher floor. Every option in every building at the pacific beacon is a [1-Bedroom, 1-Bathroom] Period. If none of this bothers you, how about living with a random person? MANDATORY. This person, keep in mind, WILL use the same refrigerator, washer/dryer, stove/oven, and living room space. When I lived at the beacon, my roommate was very loud and inconsiderate and despite my best attempts at diplomacy he remained the annoying and uncooperative person until the moment I left. ---In order to solve issues like these, you are either told to speak with a community manager (Tells you what you already know and ways of dealing with said person) OR Move to a different room(Free of charge). Still, if you have your life set-up already why should YOU be re-located when you are not causing any problems? (You'll take a few days/week to get COX Cable/Internet and other resources re-set up to your new room). ***!-EXIT CLEANING FEES, RIDICULOUS CHARGES-!*** Not only did I have to endure the above mentioned major inconveniences and/or unnecessary hardships there is still ONE LAST thing that EVERYONE PAYS FOR: Exit Cleaning Fees. ---These are fees normally charged after a resident moves out and the landlord uses to make the place all new again. Upon moving in, I marked on my inspection sheet all of the discrepancies and major problems I noticed in several areas: They are: BEDROOM, BATHROOM, LIVING ROOM, KITCHEN, and CLOSET I believe. On one particular area I marked 'SC' for Spot Cleaning, and in addition I added that there were many light black spots on the carpet. (I was honest.) but I accepted the apartment, fully aware that it was used and was not new. I rarely used the kitchen, and never used the living room---as my roommate had taken it up with his TV and PS3. Upon moving out I was told that the carpet needed to be shampooed, the kitchen needed to be cleaned, and that my bedroom and bathroom needed to also be cleaned. FIRST Charges: $205 for CLEANING. I then had to remove a light pink stain on the carpet that I had no idea what it was caused by. I removed the pink stain but the price was now $605 to rip up and replace the WHOLE carpet for the reason that "Facilities doesn't think this is acceptable to the next resident." ----A mentality that wasn't there upon my moving in. I moved out and had to pay over $600 so I can provide the next resident a newer, and cleaner carpet than the one I was provided. SUMMARY: Yet another money-grubbing organization in it for the $$. It is a BEACON... for your money. It's too bad it was built in the name of Fallen NAVY Seals, I'd be rolling in my grave if I knew my name was used by an ill-managed 'Fancy' Barracks. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR: Be Smart. Do Not Move Here. Advise Your Shipmates.

I have to strongly disagree with this Orchid nomination. I think this is clearly an Onion. The sheer size of the buildings in relation to the scale of their surroundings is enough to land this development squarely in the Onion category. Since they are located on military property, they are apparently exempt from any of the zoning laws of the surrounding neighborhoods which consist of mainly 2-story industrial buildings and smaller residences. I know the military has certain housing needs but it they also have a great deal of land at their disposal. With a little bit of intelligent planning, these structures could have been limited in height to something more reasonable and respectful of the neighboring communities.

Yuuuu-uuuuck