5 Outdoor Activities to Explore in Lompoc

Sitting a few hours northwest of Los Angeles, the quaint valley city of Lompoc offers visitors a great weekend getaway that will do the body good. The rolling hills and ocean breeze make it an ideal spot to experience the great outdoors, no matter what activities you choose. So, pack the car, because it’s time for a road trip!

During your stay in Lompoc, explore the great outdoors by adding these activities to your itinerary:

1. Tour the murals in Old Town

   Lompoc is home to 30+ murals that adorn many of the buildings in the city’s charming Old Town. The collection of large paintings is one of the area’s main attractions and provides great photo opportunities for visitors.

   What are some of the best ones to visit? Check out the massive T-Rex that roams the valley on Ocean Avenue, the funky flower-painted doors along Cypress Avenue, and the antique race cars that line South G Street.

   Before you go, grab a map so you can take a self-guided tour. You can see many of the murals by walking around Old Town, but a few are on the outskirts of town.

2. Step back in time at La Purisima Mission

   La Purisima Mission is the most extensively restored mission in California. You can wander through 10 restored buildings, with furnished rooms and an intricate chapel as the main showpieces. Outside, you’ll find gardens, livestock, and 25 hiking trails that sprawl across the 2,000 acre property.

   The mission offers many living-history events too, like Sheep Shear Day and Harvest Day, where visitors help harvest and stomp on end-of-season grapes.

3. Take a farm and ranch tour

   If you’re usually surrounded by skyscrapers and gridlock, why not experience the country life for a day? Dare 2 Dream Farms hosts a variety of different events throughout the year, including farm-to-table meals, tours, and educational workshops on topics like gardening, canning, and raising chickens.

   Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary is dedicated to preserving wild horses that roam through the area. The sanctuary is home to 500+ horses and about 50 burros in four locations across California. You can arrange a private tour or retreat.

4. Play a round of golf

   Pack your clubs and play a round of golf during your Lompoc visit. Two great courses await: La Purisima Golf Course and The Mission Club. La Purisima is an 18-hole championship course that tests the skill of all golfers while offering lush countryside vistas.

   The Mission Club has 150 acres of greens, a driving range, practice areas, and a fully-stocked pro shop. After a challenging round of golf on the rustic, tree-lined course, have a bite to eat at Sage Restaurant and Bar, the on-site restaurant.

5. Walk the shores of Jalama Beach

   Take a country drive out to Jalama Beach, where the windswept shore offers a tranquil spot to read, walk, or hike. If you time your visit correctly, you can walk into beach caves at low tide or hike out to the Point Conception Lighthouse.

   Be sure to stop by Jalama Beach Grill for its iconic Jalama Burger. The 1/3 pound patty topped with lettuce, red onion, tomatoes, pickles, and a secret sauce won’t disappoint.

After a few days of exploring the valley, you’ll be ready to return home refreshed and relaxed.