Kid-tastic Summer Fun in Lompoc

Looking for somewhere new to explore this summer? A place that’s fun for the whole family, but not somewhere you’ve seen plastered all over your Insta feed? Plan a trip to Lompoc and enjoy family fun on California’s Central Coast. Convenient to multiple California cities, it’s easy to have a road trip adventure!

Away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, the sweltering heat of inland summers, and busy freeways clogged with traffic, a getaway to Lompoc will help you slow down, relax, and reconnect with the people who matter most to you, while still having a great time.

Here are our kid-friendly summer events and activities to explore.

Jalama Beach

9999 Jalama Rd.
Lompoc, CA 93436

A scenic 30-minute drive from Lompoc, you’ll find Jalama Beach. A popular location for surfing, bird watching, hiking, camping, and more, the beach fits on every Lompoc itinerary. Enjoy a dip in the ocean, take a picnic, and explore the wide variety of plants and animals that make Jalama home. Another must: Trying the Jalama Burger at the Jalama Beach Grill.

Lompoc Valley Flower Festival

Thursday, June 20 – Sunday, June 23

Ryon Memorial Park
800 W Ocean Ave
Lompoc, CA 93436

Celebrate the Lompoc Valley’s agricultural heritage at this weekend-long event. Watch the parade, then enjoy carnival rides and games, food booths and much more! This year’s Flower Festival will be held June 20-23, 2024 at Ryon Memorial Park.

La Purisima Mission State Historic Park

2295 Purisima Rd
Lompoc, CA 93436

History comes to life at La Purisima Mission! On multiple Saturdays in summer, you can step back in time with costumed docents and staff to explore what life was like in the early days of the Mission. Try your hand at (or watch the demonstrations of) tortilla making, candle making, soap making, spinning and weaving, carpentry, pottery, blacksmithing, and more!

Mission Life Days

Saturday May 25, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday July 22, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday August 31, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Mountain Men at La Purisima Mission

Friday, August 23 – Saturday, August 24, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Go waaaaay back in time and learn about how people survived life in the West between 1820-40. Buckskin-clad members of the American Mountain Men will demonstrate survival skills and share the history of the period. Experience cooking, hide preparation and tanning, leather working, rope making, and blacksmithing techniques and equipment from the period, and enjoy tall tales shared around the campfire.

40th Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In

Friday, July 12 – Sunday, July 14

Lompoc Airport
1801 North H Street
Lompoc, CA 93436

If your kids love planes, you can’t miss this weekend-long event at the Lompoc Airport! This annual gathering of Piper J-3 Cub planes celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024, with pilot proficiency contests on Saturday, July 13. All weekend, you can see the planes up close, watch the flying events, and meet the pilots. Entry is free!

Space Launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base

Various times and dates all Summer

Experience the thrill of a space launch! Vandenberg Space Force Base is home to all west coast launches, making almost every place in Lompoc ideal to catch the action (we’ve got a guide for you here). Because Vandenberg is an active military base, only military personnel can watch a launch from on-base—but visits to the Space and Missile Heritage Center are offered monthly.

So much more…

Explore Lompoc, California with your family and discover all that the city has to offer. Spoiler alert: there’s a bit of everything, including hiking and even skydiving!

The activities listed above are just a few of the great things happening this summer. Keep an eye on the Lompoc Events Calendar for more exciting events as you plan your trip!