Paintball is a lot like chess in that both require complex strategizing and both are almost impossible to win against autonomous robots. Triumph over non-cyborg opponents with today's Groupon: for $24, you get paintball admission, equipment rental, and 500 rounds at The Paintball Park (a $50 value). This Groupon can be used at the Camp Pendleton or Miramar Marine base locations. Non-military personnel are welcome on the bases with a proper driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. Security at Miramar may require you to retrieve a visitor's pass. Walk-on public games are held on weekends and some Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; see each location's website for more information.
Paintball is the ultimate way to bond with friends, settle scores, and redecorate your wardrobe. An individual walk-on package ($45) includes everything needed for a day of paintball: a semiautomatic paint gun with loader, full face mask and goggles, a handy belt and pouch with ammo tubes, and a bag of 500 paintballs filled with the symbolic blood of the rainbows that have dared to stand in your way. Guests will also be covered on their admission fees and unlimited air refills for the day. Stay hidden on the vast, rough Camp Pendleton terrain by wearing a hefty military-style camouflage jacket ($5), or use the same jacket to pretend you're a time-traveling soldier of fortune in Miramar's Old West-themed Deadwood course.
There is a variety of beginner and advanced games that can be played on either base, including the classic "Capture the Flag" and its slightly less popular offshoot, "Let's Share the Flag." All games are refereed. Games last around 15–25 minutes, with dedicated players able to average 12–16 games in a full day. If your 500 paintballs run out, you can opt to purchase more at extra cost at the facilities. Immerse yourself in colorful crossfire with a day of paintball at The Paintball Park.
There is no age limit to play paintball, though The Paintball Park recommends that players be 10 years of age or older.
Call ahead for reservations with a group of 15 or more. They are open seven days a week for those groups.
Reviews
A number of Pbreview.com users provide positive reviews for The Paintball Park Miramar and The Paintball Park Camp Pendleton:
- I can't wait to go back and play again, it was an awesome time. If you haven't been up to the Camp Pendleton paintball park in a while, you owe it to yourself to give it a shot. – wolflord1, Camp Pendleton location
- The park itself is very compact and the layout is ideal, everything is basically right there and you never to walk to and from a field. – AccessTime, Miramar location
The Paintball Park at Alpine
Barricades, bunkers, trenches, and heavy brush provide ample cover for firing off shots at opponents, ducking from overhead fire, or meeting to discuss how to get the pizza-delivery man into the fortress unharmed at The Paintball Park.