Lompoc

Lompoc (pronounced "Lom-poke") is in Santa Barbara County, California, USA. It is called the "City of Arts and Flowers". More than half the world's flower seeds are grown in the fields around Lompoc. In 2021, it was home to 44,000 people.

Understand

Climate

Get in

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.

Get around

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.

See

Vandenberg Air Force Base (IATA: VBG), 34.750833°, -120.497778°. 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 10AM-noon on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, security conditions and mission permitting. Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance and the minimum age is 10 years. Contact the Public Affairs office at +1 805-606-3595.
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), 34.672315°, -120.42117°, +1 805-733-3713, LaPurisimaMission.StateHistoricPark@parks.ca.gov. 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
Lompoc Museum, 100 South "H" St, 34.637119°, -120.457555°, +1 805-736-3888. The museum was built in 1911, as a Carnegie Library and served the community as a library until 1968. The Museum focuses on the archeology and history of the Lompoc Valley and Santa Barbara County, by maintaining exhibits, a research library, and sponsoring public programs.
Cypress Art Gallery, 119 East Cypress Ave. Featuring works of local artists. The Gallery is dedicated to the Art Association and its members for selling their masterpieces since 1966.
Lompoc flower fields. As you drive through "Valley of Flower" during the summer months, you will see many patches of colors which will be varieties of cut flowers and those grown for seed. They include Sweet Peas, Larkspur, Stock, Marigolds, Sunflowers, Queen Anne's Lace, Bachelor Buttons, Delphinium and others. Also notice the vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, artichokes, cabbage, celery, spinach and the famous Central Coast Pinquito Bean.
The Murals of Lompoc. "City of Murals in the Valley of Flowers". Like beautiful flowers blossoming along a vine, Lompoc's mural surprise and delight residents and visitors alike as they stroll the peaceful and friendly downtown area. Lompoc has over 32 major commissioned murals painted by noted artists, as well as an additional 40 murals, all located in Lompoc's historic old town area.
Fabing-McKay-Spanne Historical House, 207 North "L" St, +1 805-735-4626. M and Th 9AM-11AM (except holidays) and the fourth Su of each month 2-4PM. 1875 Victorian home fully renovated and furnished by the Lompoc Valley Historical Society. Grounds also include a Blacksmith Shop, Carriage House, Museum Room, Sales Area and a Research/Reference Room.
Artesia School House. Fourth Su of each month 2-4PM with Museum docents as the hosts. The Lompoc Museum and the Lompoc Valley Historical Society joined forces to furnish the Artesia School House. Built in 1876, Artesia School was Lompoc's first country school, named after nearby artesian wells. It was in use as a school until 1960. It was originally built 4 miles west of Lompoc on Central Avenue facing west. Brisk west winds kept blowing the doors open, so it was turned around to face east. Later it was moved to the corner of Central and Artesia Avenue. In 1972 it was moved to its present location in the 100 block of West Chestnut Avenue and restored by the Lompoc Unified School District.
Italian Stone Pines. Classified as the largest grove of Italian Stone Pines outside of the Mediterranean. These trees were planted in 1940 by mistake, and now are valued at over 3 million dollars! They create a lovely canopy over South "H" Street. The trees have been featured in a European book on famous trees of the world because of their health and beauty.

Do

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. 2015-10-29
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 strategically located 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. 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.

Buy

Farmers Market. Every Friday on corner of Ocean Avenue & I Street, 1:30PM Dusk. During the summer months, it joins the Olde Towne Market in the 100 block of South H Street in downtown Lompoc.
Olde Towne Market. From July through the first of September, this Friday night event features local entertainment, arts and crafts, commercial vendors and wonderful food. This event is the perfect Friday night activity for the entire family.

Eat

Sushi Teri, 213 W Ocean Ave, 34.639135°, -120.459825°, +1 805-740-0123.
Suvans Kitchen, 129 W Central Ave, 34.661199°, -120.458817°.
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.)
South Side Coffee Co (South Side), 105 S H St, 34.64049°, -120.45806°, +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. 2022-12-10
One Room Escapes & Coffee (One Room), 113 North "A" Street in Lompoc, 34.64093°, -120.44917°, +1 805-430-8306, oneroomcoffee@gmail.com. Local coffee shop and escape room with games for kids. 2022-12-10

Drink

Bars

Jasper's.
The Wicked Shamrock.

Wineries

Foley Estates Vineyard & Winery, 6121 E Highway 246, 34.6505°, -120.3039°, +1 805-737-6222. 10AM-5PM daily. This winery offers modestly priced wines that are often bargains among Santa Barbara wineries. 2015-11-04

Sleep

O'Cairns Inn, 940 E Ocean Dr, +1 805-398-0399.
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. 2021-02-18
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.

Go next

Go north to Santa Maria, the largest city in Santa Barbara County.
Guadalupe - This small town is located 30 miles north of Lompoc and is primarily focused on agriculture and oil production. Travelers will enjoy visiting the neighboring Guadaulpe-Nipomo Dunes, an 18-mile stretch of beach that is one of the largest remaining natural dune areas in California. The Ten Commandments was filmed in the dunes and the sets were buried after production, but today blowing winds repeatedly reveal and then re-cover these reproductions of ancient Egypt.
Buellton - Located 18 miles to the east, Buellton is home to several Santa Ynez Valley wineries. Visitors will also find the ostrich & emu farm interesting, with the opportunity to get up close and personal with the giant birds.

Lompoc - city in southern California, U.S.