Road trip to Lompoc

With cooler temperatures on the way, fall is the ideal season for a road trip to Lompoc.

Get acquainted with award-winning wines from Sta. Rita Valley wineries, a pumpkin latte in a cozy coffee shop, or take a leisurely drive on scenic country roads.

There’s much more too:  catch the surf or relax at Jalama beach or watch a rocket launch from Vandenberg SFB.

Whether staying a week or a weekend, the ideal weather unlocks a host of rewarding outdoor activities to discover.

Self-guided art tour

Put on walking shoes and view the larger-than-life murals. Lompoc’s historic Old Town is home to 40+ murals that cover buildings, doorways, and liven up entire city blocks. First, download the Mural Map to plan a route. Many of the murals are located in Art Alley, just between W. Ocean Avenue and W. Cypress Avenue. Park up at the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce, where 20+ murals are located within a two-block radius. These picturesque murals showcase Lompoc’s history, with depictions of mining, flower fields, pioneer families and Native American heritage.

Tour La Purisima Mission 

Want to see what life was like in central California back in the 1800s? Visit La Purisima Mission. As the state’s most extensively restored mission, you can explore restored buildings, see livestock roaming in fields, or hike one of the many trails. Take a guided tour, offered Wednesday through Saturday, or consider visiting when La Purisima hosts a living history event with costumed docents.

Lompoc’s vineyards

Tour the fields of Lompoc’s most renowned vineyards. Located in the rolling Sta. Rita Hills, you’re just a short drive away from captivating vistas and award-winning wine. tailor your own wine tour, visiting spots like Foley Estates Vineyard, where a 3500 sq. ft. tasting room awaits, or Babcock Winery & Vineyard, where you’ll sip Pinot in a retro rock-and-roll themed hangar. If you’d rather leave the driving to someone else, check the tours offered by Next Adventure Tours and Tasting or Artisan Excursion Wine Tours.

Coffee Shops

As cooler temps prevail, lose yourself in a good book and sip a pumpkin latte. The quaint yet eclectic coffee shops are a great way to break up the journey.

Watch a Rocket Launch

Vandenberg Space Force Base is the primary spaceport on the West Coast and just minutes from Lompoc. The valley is the best place to view rocket launches. They take place from several Space Launch Complex launch sites (SLC’s). Check out the several great launch sites  to view.

A scenic drive on country roads

If dramatic coastline views of the surf or winding paths flowing through gentle hillsides are your thing, you have come to the perfect place. Take a country drive on winding country roads in and around Lompoc.

Relax in nature

To escape the city and relieve the stress, spend quality time in nature. Lompoc has a variety of leisurely outdoor activities in stunning surroundings:

Hike Bodger Trail, a short, 1.5 mile hike just outside the city with stunning views of the Lompoc Valley.

Find the hidden Nojoqui Falls  tucked inside a seemingly simple city park.

Wander along Jalama Beach, located just 30 minutes from the city.

Skydiving

For something a little more exhilarating, try a skydive. Lompoc offers the highest tandem jump on the west coast. Skydive Santa Barbara has an 18,000 feet tandem jump that’s like no other. The 90-second free-fall is an adrenaline-pumping adventure.

Visit Explore Lompoc for more autumn activity ideas.