Calling all tourists & locals – Find fun Here!
There is so much fun to be had in our little city of Lompoc, California which is located near Point Conception and is the southern most city on the Central Coast. Lompoc is home to the Santa Rita Hills wine country and is also the West Coast HQ for rocket launches facilitated by Space X and NASA.
Things to do in lompoc
The state-of-the-art Lompoc Aquatic Center is located to the back of College Park, a City-owned property, which also houses the City’s Skate Park and the community’s YMCA. This year-round, multi-functional indoor facility features the following: A 25-meter by 25-yard; 7-to 9-feet deep, 10-lane competition/water polo pool; A 1,600-square-foot, 90-degree therapeutic pool, with wet-wheelchair ramp access; A recreation pool with zero depth entry; An interactive water playground; Four-by 25-yard lap lanes; and Two 126-foot-long winding water slides. The Lompoc Recreation Division offers swim lessons, classes and sports here. Open for recreational swim on Saturday & Sunday from 1-3pm.
Located at 207 West College Avenue.
Established in 1969, the Lompoc Museum documents the archeology and history of the Lompoc Valley and Santa Barbara County. The Museum was established in Lompoc’s former Carnegie Library to display the Clarence Ruth Collection of Chumash and other Native American artifacts. Open Tuesday to Friday 1:00pm – 5:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 1:00pm – 4:00pm and closed Mondays and Holidays.
The Lompoc Museum is located at 200 South H Street.
A challenging test of skill and character, La Purisima rewards the bold and leaves the recently-hooked newcomer loving the game even more. It is beautiful in its naturally undulating landscape. Challenging in its hole design. And with tees never far from their preceding greens, a remarkably enjoyable walk. No more or less than it needs to be to make your round completely memorable. Golfers of all abilities come to test their game here. PGA pros, celebrities, amateur hopefuls – all those in-the-know about California’s best courses.
Located just east of Lompoc at 3455 State Hwy 246.
The Mission Club features an 18 Hole Championship golf course, on site restaurant, swimming pool and tennis courts.
Located at 4300 Clubhouse Dr.
Offers day-use, camping and cabins. Vehicle entry is $10 for day-use. Dogs are welcome, but are subject to a $3 fee, per dog. Day-use picnic areas provide tables and raised fire boxes. Additional activities include surfing, whale-watching, birdwatching, nature photography, and fishing the surf or rock outcroppings for perch, cabezon, kelp, bass, or halibut. Many protected California native plants like sand verbena, saltbush, and sea rocket, grow within park boundaries. Be sure to visit the Jalama Beach Store and Grill and have a “World Famous Jalama Burger.”
Jalama Beach is an approximately 45-minute drive from Lompoc. A sign 4.5 miles south of Lompoc off Highway 1 will direct you onto Jalama Road. Follow this scenic 14.5 mile road to the coast. The park entrance will be at the end of the road.
The Lompoc Airport is home to Skydive Santa Barbara, which offers thrill-seekers the chance to jump out of an airplane and catch some amazing views of the Central Coast! To the south, take in the iconic view of Point Conception and the Channel Islands. Vandenberg Air Force Base is to the west, rockets are launched from here on a regular basis. This is a spectacular event just to experience from the ground. Sometimes skydivers are lucky to be in the air at the same time! While skydiving, Pismo Beach is in full view to the northwest, and also Guadalupe Dunes. It is the only Southern California skydiving school to offer 18,000ft tandem jumps 7 days a week.
Located at the Lompoc Airport at 1801 North H St.
Tour the Historic Fabing-McKay-Spanne House
The Fabing-McKay Spanne House was built in 1875 and is home to the Lompoc Valley Historical Society. The home was named after the three families who had lived in it and has been fully renovated and furnished in true Victorian style. Although the home is not the typical “painted lady” style Victorian, it has elements typical of the period. There is no fancy gingerbread, turrets or stained glass. This was a Victorian “farmhouse” built for a working family.
The home is open to the public on the fourth Saturday of the month from 10 am to 1 pm. Also open on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30 am to 11:00 am except major holidays. Special tours are accommodated by prior arrangement by calling (805) 735-4626 and leaving a brief message. There is no charge for admission, but donations are gratefully accepted.
Located at 207 North L Street.
River Bend Bike ParkOpen to the public, free to ride at your own risk. Helmets are required. There are areas designated for 4 classes: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Mt. Bike. There is a small track dedicated to younger riders that is separate from the “Big Kids” area. There is a small modified trail for intermediate riders and there is an area for advanced riders with extreme jumps. The whole complex is surrounded by a trail that can be used by Mt. Bikes as well.
Located at 1 McLaughlin Road and open sunrise to sunset.
Lompoc Valley Walking and Fitness Trails
Hike up to Lookout Point for a spectacular view of the Lompoc Valley – located at the end of South Z St and approximately 3/4 mile up to the top. Ryon Park is located at Ocean Avenue and O Street and its walking trail is 1330 feet, just over 1/4 mile. River Park is located at Highway 246 and Sweeney Road and its walking trail is 5138 feet, which is just short of a mile. Beattie Park is located at Olive Avenue and 5th Street and its walking and fitness trail is 2172 feet, 468 feet shy of a 1/2 mile. The Riverbend Multi-Purpose trail is approximately 2.25 miles.
Additional park information is available from the Lompoc Recreation Division.
Lompoc’s mild weather makes for perfect cycling weather! There are several bike maps located around town, and you can download one here. Whether you’re riding out to Surf Beach on Ocean Avenue or using the Riverbend Multi-Purpose Trail, you’ll be sure to find terrain that meets your needs.
Cycling maps are located at the entrance to the Lompoc Airport at 1801 North H St. and near the Lompoc Valley sign at East Ocean Ave and 12th St.
Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary
Return to Freedom is a 300 acre wild horse sanctuary located in the beautiful Jalama Valley in Lompoc. Home to more than 200 wild horses and burros, the organization is working to protect America’s remaining wild horse herds through sanctuary, education and conservation. You can visit the sanctuary May-October when they host a variety of tours and clinics for the public. The sanctuary also welcomes volunteers and offers a family volunteer work weekend each year in August. Visitors will get to observe wild horses living in their natural family bands and herd groups – just as they do in the wild. They will also meet “Spirit,” the Kiger Mustang stallion that served as inspiration for the DreamWorks animated movie “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron”. Photo credit: LH Studios
Old Town Lompoc Heritage WalkAn approximately one mile walk – allow yourself about an hour. Take a walk through the historic heart of Lompoc on a self-guided tour and learn about the sites that date back to the 1870’s. The heritage walk map was an eagle scout project completed by Ryan Andersen, Troop 66 in April 2000. Click here to download an Old Town Heritage Walk brochure in PDF format.
Cabrillo High School AquariumThe Cabrillo High School Aquarium began in the Fall of 1986 as a partnership between one student, one teacher, and a local physician/amateur aquarist who agreed to sponsor their project. Today, this unique program enjoys original partnerships among students, teachers, district staff, and members of the business community–locally and nationally. Thousands of visitors, including weekly guided tours for elementary students, have toured our cross-curriculum, hands-on learning laboratory. The program has received the President of the United States’ Environmental Youth Award and the California School Boards Assoc. Golden Bell Award. It was recognized on the nationally televised “A Pledge And A Promise Environmental Education Awards” program as the most outstanding Marine Science Education Program. For information about upcoming events and open house dates, please visit the Cabrillo Aquarium Facebook page here.
Located at Cabrillo High School – 4350 Constellation Road.
Beattie Park Disc Golf CourseBeattie Park is a sprawling 50 acre park that is home to an 18 hole disc golf course. The course features a front nine that is wide open and a back nine that is wooded with a varying amount of topography. The course is maintained and upgraded by the Lompoc Disc Golf Committee.
Located at Olive Avenue & Fifth Street
College Park/Lompoc Skate Park
College Park is a 4.6 acre park located in central Lompoc off of West College Avenue adjacent to Lompoc High School. This neighborhood park features a 10,000 sq. ft. skate park facility, which is surrounded by mature shade trees and open grassy areas. The skate park is open to all ages from 8 am to sunset. The use of a helmet and pads are required. This is an unsupervised park and you skate at your own risk. The northern portion of the park is the home of the new Lompoc Aquatic Center.
Located at College Avenue & J Street
Hike in the Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve
The Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve consists of 5,368 acres between Purisima Hills and Santa Ynez Mountains and encompasses one of the last significant stands of maritime chaparral in the state. The Central Maritime Chaparral community is dominated by ceanothus, manzanita, chamise, California coffeeberry, black sage, Coast live oak and coastal scrub species. Badgers, bobcats, deer, mountain lions, packrats, snakes, and a variety of avian species may also be observed. The public is encouraged to visit and explore the reserve. Access for pedestrians and hikers is from sunrise to sunset. Users can walk or hike on designated trails, bring dogs as long as they are retained on a leash of less than 10 feet and view wildlife at a safe distance.
Located on Highway 1 between Vandenberg Air Force Base to the west, Freeport-McMoran Oil & Gas LLC oil fields to the north, and the La Purisima Mission State Park to the south.
Ocean Beach ParkOcean Beach Park is perfect for bird-watchers and nature photographers, as it is located at the mouth of the Santa Ynez River with a wide lagoon that attracts many varieties of birds. Beach access is closed to the public from March 1st through September 30 due to the Snowy Plover nesting season. South of Ocean Beach Park is Surf Beach which is open to the public, but check for seasonal restrictions for nesting birds. This park features BBQ grills, picnic tables, restrooms and a playground.
Located 13 miles west of Lompoc, take Highway 246/Ocean Avenue nearly to the coast, turning right on Ocean Park Road to the park entrance.
Cypress Art GalleryFounded in 1994 by the Lompoc Valley Art Association, Cypress Gallery showcases the art of over 60 well-known local artists. Art lovers will find a variety of fine art in the Gallery: watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels, mixed media, photography, ceramics, jewelry, souvenirs, and great gift ideas.
Cypress Gallery is located at 119 East Cypress Avenue.
Artesia School House MuseumThe Artesia School Museum is a fully restored and furnished one-room country schoolhouse. Built in 1876, Artesia was the first country school in the Lompoc Valley. It remained in constant use until 1961. The historic school building was fully restored and refurbished by the Lompoc Valley Historical Society and the Lompoc Museum with many of its original furnishings and fixtures donated by former students. Through the combined efforts of the Lompoc Museum, the Lompoc Valley Historical Society, and the Lompoc Unified School District, the Artesia School Museum was opened to the public in 1995. A City and County Landmark, Artesia is open to the public the fourth Saturday of every month from 2 – 4 pm.
Located at 115 W Chestnut Avenue.
The Lompoc Valley Motorsports Kids Moto Fun Park is an interim, no charge OHV facility for children up to age 12, operating on weekends at River Park. This volunteer-operated park is geared for motorcycles and ATVs up to 50cc. The park is open by appointment, call 805-757-8047 for information.
The entrance into this park is located just east of Robinson Bridge on Highway 246 and Sweeney Road.
