5 Spots for a Picture-Perfect Spring Selfie

Pack a bag and your camera. It’s time for a road trip to Lompoc, California. Situated just three hours north of Los Angeles, Lompoc is the perfect spot for a spring getaway. Spend a long weekend in this quaint coastal city, plan to make some great memories, and take some wall-worthy pictures, too.

To help plan your trip, here are five picture-perfect spots to visit in Lompoc:

1. La Purisima Mission State Park

   For a history lesson and photos you can’t take anywhere else, visit La Purisima Mission State Historic Park. As the state’s most extensively restored mission, you can walk through an old church, blacksmith shop, and residential quarters for glimpse of life back in the 1820s when the Chumash and Spanish settlers roamed the grounds.

   Take pictures of the fully-restored church where an ornate alter is the main attraction, or go outside and take a family photo under the walkway that’s surrounded by old brick pillars.

2. Jalama Beach Park

   A short country drive takes you to windswept Jalama Beach Park, which offers stunning ocean views. Plan to walk along the beach during sunset for a few great shots, and top your night off with a stop to Jalama Beach Grill. You can’t leave without trying the Jalama burger. It’s a local favorite.

3. Art Alley

   Lompoc’s historic downtown is sprinkled with eye-catching, building-size murals that provide great backdrops for photos. There are forty murals scattered throughout the town, many of which can be found in Art Alley.

   Consider a stop at the “Feeding Time” mural where a hungry dinosaur roams the land. Take a selfie with the dino and share it on Facebook and Instagram for your friends to see.

4. Artesia School House in Old Town

   An old, one-room schoolhouse dating back to 1876 is a great spot for a historic picture. Once located on Artesia Street, the Artesia school was moved into town and reopened as a museum to show visitors what education was like long ago.

   Now, travelers can visit the restored school and take pictures outside. You can also tour the inside on the fourth Saturday of the month, 2 to 4 pm, and hear about life as student during a guided tour.

5. Lookout Point

   For a panorama of Lompoc, head to Lookout Point at Beattie Park. A mile-long trail just off Bodger Road takes you to the top of a hill that offers a stunning view of the valley and city below.

   The trail is well marked but it’s a little steep. You’ll climb around 500 feet before reaching the top. For most people, it takes 30 minutes or less to hike to the top. Take a few pictures and enjoy the scenery for a bit before heading back to town.

After a relaxing weekend in Lompoc, you’ll have plenty of amazing photos to share with family and friends. If you share any on social media, be sure to use the hashtag #explorelompoc so others can experience the city with you.

MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOMPOC

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