By Explore Lompoc – Contributing Writer / Photos by Explore Lompoc
California’s Central Coast
Spring is definitely in the air throughout the great state of California, but when you think of welcoming warm weather, wine country, good food, historical sites and a wide array of activities sure to satisfy any outdoor adventurer, including thrill seekers – you can only think of one place – the hidden gem of California’s Central Coast, Lompoc. From Insta-worthy flower fields to scenic hiking trails and breathtaking views of vineyards, travelers of all ages are quick to discover that Lompoc is the place to explore.
Explore a Staple of California History
Are you a California history buff? Experience history firsthand at La Purisima Mission State Historical Park, which spans nearly 2,000 acres and is home to California’s most fully restored mission. Established in 1787, the mission site boasts adobe buildings, a water system, agricultural fields and livestock. Today, visitors can explore historic structures, enjoy free guided tours, visit the Visitor Center and Exhibit Hall, see livestock and traverse 25 miles of trails perfect for hiking and horseback riding.
Travel Tip: During the spring and summer months, volunteers at La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, demonstrate various activities, including Chumash history and culture, tortilla making, candle making, spinning and weaving, carpentry, pottery, and blacksmithing!
Sip & Savor Along the Lompoc Wine Trail and Sta. Rita Hills
The fertile Sta. Rita Hills, renowned for producing exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and other cool-climate wines, established the Lompoc wine scene with over 30 unique wineries and tasting rooms.
The heart of the Lompoc wine scene is the “Wine Ghetto, a collection of gray single-story warehouse-like buildings that contain more than a dozen wineries. Nearby, you can find the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Center, the premier wine-tasting destination, featuring four award-winning tasting rooms, as well as Midtown Lompoc, home to the Lompoc Wine Factory and two highly acclaimed wineries.
Head out to the Sta. Rita Hills along Highway 246 and Santa Rosa Road to experience the traditional wine country. Here, you will find beautiful rolling hills with estate wineries and vineyards, some of which are household names.
Travel Tip: Take your wine-tasting experience to a new level with intimate ATV tours of Sanford Winery and Foley Estates vineyards!
Adventure From New Heights
Do you plan to check skydiving off your bucket list? You’re in luck! Lompoc is home to the highest drop zone in the United States. Choose from tandem jumps ranging from 8,000 to 18,000 feet with Skydive Santa Barbara and take in unforgettable views of the Pacific Ocean, hillsides, and vineyards.
See the Insta-Worthy Murals of Art Alley
Lompoc’s historic Old Town is adorned with eye-catching, building-size murals that depict scenes of Lompoc’s heritage, flower industry, historic landmarks, ethnic diversity, scenic beauty and more. There are over 30 murals scattered throughout the town, transforming Old Town Lompoc into an outdoor art gallery and providing great backdrops for photos.
Travel Tip: Stop by the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau to pick up a map or download the Lompoc Mural Map online for your self-guided tour of the murals!
Tee Off in Wine Country
Did you know Lompoc is home to two of the finest golf courses on the California Central Coast? The Mission Club, designed by Ted Robinson, capitalizes on its spectacular natural setting, making it a premier course for all players. Under new ownership, The Mission Club is now open to the public.
La Purisima Golf Course is a superior 18-hole Championship course designed by world-renowned architect Robert Muir Graves and has long been known as one of America’s best-designed courses. The course attracts professional tournaments, including the PGA, LPGA and Senior PGA circuits, but players of all levels can enjoy its natural beauty and test their skills.
Have a Beach Day and a “World Famous” Burger
Just a short, scenic 30-minute drive from Lompoc, Jalama Beach takes you off the beaten path to enjoy gentle waves, uncrowded beaches and the chance to savor a world-famous hamburger. The quiet, windswept atmosphere of Jalama is perfect for water sports such as surfing, swimming, kite surfing and fishing, as well as building sandcastles and enjoying a picnic. Nature enthusiasts revel in hiking, photography and birdwatching at the onsite bird estuary.
Forget something? Visit the Jalama Beach Store and Grill for groceries, souvenirs, fishing equipment and their proprietary wine. While you are there, enjoy a “World Famous Jalama Burger” straight off the grill. You will not regret it!
Hike Bodger Trail for Panoramic Views
The valley boasts dozens of winding paths to explore, but the local favorite, Bodger Trail – also known as Lookout Point – tops the list. Hiking this trail, you can experience the expansive, panoramic views of the Lompoc Valley. This 1.5-mile trek is a bit steep but lightly traveled and well worth the round trip!
Travel Tip: Plan a hike for sunrise or sunset for an unforgettable panoramic view of colors over the Lompoc Valley.
Wander About Picture-Perfect Flower Fields
Chances are you’re familiar with the beautiful splashes of colorful wildflowers that take over Lompoc each spring. If not, now is the time to find out! Lompoc’s climate and soil are the perfect growing environment for flowers. From the mustard-colored Bupleurum to the pastel purples of Larkspurs and Lavenders, the array of colors sprawled across farm fields is remarkable to see and photograph.
Travel Tip: While commercial growing can be unpredictable, Lompoc’s wildflowers bloom around mid-April each year and are truly a sight to see.
About Lompoc
Located on scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1, just 155 miles northwest of Los Angeles, with proximity to Santa Barbara and Solvang, Lompoc takes on a world of its own. Its valley setting, surrounded by spectacular rolling hills and vineyards, creates an invitation for visitors to detour off the main road and explore what’s around the bend. Lompoc is a destination for wine tasting, golf, cycling, hiking, skydiving, birding and surfing at nearby Jalama Beach.
It is home to La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, the most fully restored and furnished of the 21 California missions. It is also adjacent to Vandenberg Air Force Base, where rockets are launched throughout the year by entities such as NASA, SpaceX and ULA, among others. Lompoc has 12 hotels to welcome visitors. To discover more about the Lompoc Valley and other things to see and do, visit: http://www.explorelompoc.com/.
