This is one in a series of stories exploring things to do in communities across Santa Barbara County. It’s a starting point for locals who want to explore, people hosting family and friends, and visitors to the area.
Welcome to the City of Murals in the Valley of Flowers.
Whether you are a Lompoc resident looking for some staycation fun or a Santa Barbara County resident looking to play tourist with family or friends, here are five fun things to do in the city.
La Purísima Mission
Many visits to Santa Barbara County include touring one of its many missions.
Lompoc has its very own: La Purísima Mission.
Visiting La Purísima Mission doesn’t just mean learning about the history; local residents take advantage of the expansive grounds to go on walks and hikes.
La Purísima Mission State Historic Park is located at 2295 Purísima Road.
Linda Steger and Kip Bassett, volunteers at the La Purísima Mission’s visitor center, recommend going on the nearby Vista De La Cruz Trail to reach a large cross at the top.
“We are blessed to have this here, where we know it won’t get developed,” Bassett said.
Know before you go: Paid parking is required to enter the mission’s parking lot.
Watch a Rocket Launch From Vandenberg Space Force Base
Ready. Set. Liftoff.
Watch a launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base at off-base public viewing areas along Harris Grade Road and around Vandenberg Village, such as the intersection of Moonglow and Stardust roads.
To check for upcoming launches, click here.
Mural Walk
Across the city are large murals on the sides of buildings depicting local history.
Grab a coffee from South Side Coffee Co. and embark on a scavenger hunt to find all of the murals using the mural map.
A Day of History
Pop into the Lompoc Museum and the Fabing-McKay Spanne Property.
The Lompoc Museum at 200 South H St. is housed in a 1910 Carnegie Library that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to Executive Director Lisa Renken.
The two-story museum has a handful of exhibitions, from wildlife to local Native American artifacts.
The museum is usually open Wednesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and on the weekends from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission for adults is through donation but free for children and members.
However, it will be temporarily closed for about a month starting in January, Renken said.
Instead, pop into the Fabing-McKay Spanne Property at 207 North L St.
The Fabing-McKay Spanne Property, a two-story residence maintained by the Lompoc Valley Historical Society, houses various historical-themed rooms such as the carriage house, blacksmith shop, museum room and reference library.
Visitors can tour the home on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for free.
Wine Tasting
For some people, exploring the Lompoc Valley would not be complete without indulging in local wine.
The city has conveniently created a map for wine lovers to choose which out of the 20 tasting rooms in the so-called Wine Ghetto and Midtown Lompoc to visit.
Or, visit the Sta. Rita Hills region for a handful of vineyards also available for tastings.
Honorable Mention
Lastly, while this experience may not be for everyone, skydiving with Skydive Santa Barbara is available in Lompoc.
It is the only place in Southern California to jump out of a plane at 18,000 feet, according to Skydive Santa Barbara.
The price tag attached to the experience can also be scream-inducing, at $189 per person.
What are your favorite local attractions or hidden gems? Let us know at news@noozhawk.com.
