The southern California city of Lompoc is located near the coast, 50 miles west of Santa Barbara. Several parks ring the area, including Los Padres National Forest, 18 miles from the city, Gavotia State Park to the south and Lake Cachuma Recreation Area to the east. Travelers visiting Lompoc have access to tours and activities encompassing the latest in wine production, historical artifacts, surfing the Pacific and the thrill of space flight.
Follow the Lompoc wine trail and tour the city’s Wine Ghetto, a district packed with wine cellars, for a day of wine tasting. Along the trail, visitors have the opportunity to visit the wineries to sample and purchase locally-made wines. The wines range from local to Italian.
Fabing-McKay-Spanne Historical House was built in the Lompoc Valley in 1875. The renovated and restored Victorian farmhouse is open to the public during limited hours Monday through Thursday and one Saturday per month. Visitors can call to arrange a tour. The facility includes a museum, doctor’s office, carriage house and blacksmith shop.
The one-room Artesia School was built in 1876, and operated for decades before being closed in 1961. The historic school building eventually was restored and refurbished by the Lompoc Valley Historical Society and the Lompoc Museum, and was opened as a museum in 1995.
The Lompoc Museum houses Native American Chumash artifacts and the nearby historical society gallery. The museum is open during limited afternoon hours Tuesday through Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary serves as home to almost 200 wild horses and burros and features the mustang used as inspiration for the movie "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron." The sanctuary works to preserve habitat for wild horses and offers educational programs for the public ranging from living history tours to clinics, retreats and volunteer programs. The facility holds many special events to benefit the sanctuary.
Vandenberg Air Force Base, seven miles west of town, operates as headquarters for the 30th Space Wing. Several types of tours of the base are available. Tours are conducted Monday through Thursday for groups and additional memorial and museum site stops may be arranged. Advance reservations are required for tours, and visitors must provide personal information such as their date of birth and social security number and present a photo ID. Public viewing areas for rocket and missile launches are located near the base.
Jalama Beach is 20 miles south of Lompoc. The first-come, first-served scenic campsites offer a limited number of RV hook-ups. Hot showers, restroom facilities and water are provided. An on-site store has a restaurant and sells camping essentials, alcohol and groceries. Visitors to the beach can participate in activities such as surfing, bird watching, whale watching and rock collecting.
