Lompoc, CA Road Trips

1 Vandenberg Space Force Base (VBG IATA). You might be able to view a rocket launch from off base, sending a new satellite into space, if you're lucky. Tours of the base are by appointment only and require at least two months of notice plus a minimum group size of 20. 2 La Purisima Mission State Historic Park (La Purisima Concepcion de Maria Santisima, California's Lost Mission), 2295 Purisima Rd (turn right from Highway 246 when coming from Buellton), ☏ +1 805-733-3713, [email protected]. Daily 9AM-5PM. Commissed by Father Fermin Lasuen in 1787 as the eleventh California mission. The most complete restored mission, which was built from 1813 onwards after the original buildings south of Lompoc were destroyed in earthquakes in 1812. A large cross constructed in 1912 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the founding of La Purisima Mission & 100th anniversary of its destruction can be observed on the top of the hill behind the Veterans Memorial Building. Is unusual in several respects, including the fact that is one of two missions managed as a State Park rather than an ecclesiastical institution (after its restoration by the Civilian Conservation Corps, completed the day Pearl Harbor was bombed), and that it is painted pink instead of the more common white. $6. 3 Lompoc Museum, 100 South "H" St, ☏ +1 805-736-3888. The museum was built in 1911, as a Carnegie Library and served the community as a library until 1968.

1 Lompoc Valley Flower Festival. This five-day festival (Wednesday-Sunday) is held at the end of June and features a carnival, live entertainment, food booths, arts and crafts. The festival began in 1952 as a rodeo, but became a flower festival in order to highlight the area's unique role as a flower growing region. (updated Oct 2015) Old Town Lompoc Heritage Walk. Approximately 1 mile walk. Allow at least an hour. This walk takes you on a scenic tour of Old Town Lompoc with 18 different stops. Birding. Lompoc Valley is on the Pacific Flyway and provides habitat to a wide variety of migratory and resident species. Bird watch at sanctuaries. Lompoc has one of the highest annual counts in the nation. For more information contact: La Purisima Audubon Society. P.O. Box 2045, Lompoc, CA 93438. Bicycling. The Lompoc Valley is considered a premier bike riding area in the state with rides ranging from difficult to pleasant. Visit the Lompoc Bicycle Club website. Famous Lompoc BBQ. On most Saturdays you can find along "H" Street you can find a Famous Lompoc BBQ happening. Skydive! Santa Barbara, toll-free: +1-888-800-JUMP (5867). The Drop Zone with an Ocean View! Feel the rush of flying through the air at 120 mph. Check out the fantastic ocean view of Point Concepcion. Certificate of Achievement presented on your first jump. They offer 2 ways of completing your first jump, Tandem or Static Line.

1 Sushi Teri, 213 W Ocean Ave, ☏ +1 805-740-0123. 2 Suvans Kitchen, 129 W Central Ave. Tom's, East College Avenue. A local hamburger joint, with an "A to Z" menu of 26 different burgers (some great, some standard, and a few of them unlikely to appeal to anyone except kids trying to dare one another.) 3 South Side Coffee Co (South Side), 105 S H St, ☏ +1 805-737-3730. M-F 5:30AM - 2:30PM, Sa Su 6AM - 2:30PM. Fun locally owned coffee shop next to a music store. (updated Dec 2022) 4 One Room Escapes & Coffee (One Room), 113 North "A" Street in Lompoc, ☏ +1 805-430-8306, [email protected]. Local coffee shop and escape room with games for kids. (updated Dec 2022)

Jasper's. The Wicked Shamrock. 1 Foley Estates Vineyard & Winery, 6121 E Highway 246, ☏ +1 805-737-6222. 10AM-5PM daily. This winery offers modestly priced wines that are often bargains among Santa Barbara wineries. (updated Nov 2015)

O'Cairns Inn, 940 E Ocean Dr, ☏ +1 805-398-0399, fax: +1 805-737-0012. Embassy Suites Lompoc, 1117 N H St. All-suite hotel. Suites include separate living rooms with pull-out sofas, free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers and kitchenettes. Parking and made-to-order breakfast are free, as are evening receptions with light appetizers and drinks. There’s also an outdoor pool, a 24/7 fitness center and a business center. (updated Feb 2021) Inn of Lompoc, 1122 North H St, ☏ +1 805-735-7744. Holiday Inn Express, 1417 N.H. St, ☏ +1 805-736-2391. Motel 6, 1521 North H St, ☏ +1 805-735-7631, fax: +1 805-736-0537.

Lompoc is located on scenic Pacific Coast Highway (California Hwy 1) and Highway 246, 55 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, 155 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 270 miles southeast of San Francisco. There is bus service as well from San Luis Obispo.

Lompoc has a taxi service called Lompoc Taxi. There are bus routes provided by City of Lompoc Transit (COLT) service with routes from Vandenberg Village to Mission Hills to Lompoc. There are various car rental businesses.