As a 23 year old A1C, which duty station is more appealing, Edwards CA, or Eglin Florida?

Either way, you'll get plenty of sand, but only Eglin's is on a beach.

That said, I've never been stationed at Eglin but I spent four years at Edwards. Some say it's in the middle of nowhere, but if you are willing to drive, it's the center of everywhere. You have L.A., Hollywood and Anaheim an hour and a half south, San Diego another hour or so south of that. San Fran four hours north, Vegas three hours east. Lots of beaches within a couple hours drive.

On base, there's a rod and gun club with skeet shooting ranges, hunting (duck mainly) and fishing areas, a dirt bike track and numerous mountain bike trails (Outdoor Rec has decent bike rentals) and ATV trails. If you are into aviation history, Edwards IS aviation history. Just about every aircraft the modern Air Force is flying or has ever flown has been or is currently being flight tested at Edwards and hearing sonic booms from those flight tests are an almost daily occurrence. The Air Force Flight Test Museum is worth a visit or two as well. As for things right off base, the closest town worth going to for dining, shopping and entertainment (Lancaster and Palmdale) are about a 40 minute drive, seeing as it takes you almost 20 minutes to go from the dorms to the west base perimeter alone. Some of my young Airmen there disliked it, but personally, it's all about perspective, much like any assignment. If you are willing to get out of the confines of your dorm room and are willing to drive, there's a lot to do. Just plan on making a day of it wherever you go.

One recommendation...stay clear of California City, north of the base. Don't live there if you don't have to. Rent and property values are cheap there for a reason, as it's a high crime area. Not really a concern right now if you are a single Airman, but be wary if you ever plan to visit.

Hopefully another poster can give you the skinny on Eglin. Best of luck as you make your decision.