Take the Ultimate Fall Road Trip to Lompoc

With cooler temperatures on the way, fall is the ideal season for a road trip to Lompoc! Sip award-winning wines from Sta. Rita Valley wineries, warm up with a pumpkin latte in one of our cozy coffeeshops, take a lazy drive on our scenic country roads or relax at Jalama beach, catch a rocket launch from Vandenberg SFB, and stay at one of our comfy hotels!

Whether you visit for a week or a weekend, the comfortable weather conditions clear the way for outdoor activities like these: 

Take a self-guided art tour

Slip on your walking shoes and get ready to see larger-than-life murals. Lompoc’s historic Old Town is home to 30+ murals that cover buildings, dot doorways, and liven up entire city blocks. 

Before you go, download the Mural Map so you can plan a route. Many of the murals are located in Art Alley, just between W. Ocean Avenue and W. Cypress Avenue. Park your car 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 everything from mining and flower fields to pioneer families and the land’s 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 located inside the 2,000 acre park.  

Take a guided tour, offered Wednesday through Saturday, or consider visiting when La Purisima hosts a living history event where costumed docents show you how to shear a sheep, make bread, or weave a basket. 

Sip and tour Lompoc’s popular vineyards

Tour the crisp fall fields of Lompoc’s most renowned vineyards. Located in the rolling Sta. Rita Hills, you’re just a short drive away from sprawling vistas and award-winning wine. You can create 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 into tours offered by Next Adventure Tours and Tasting or Artisian Excursion Wine Tours.

Cozy up in one of our comfy Coffee Shops!

As cooler temps prevail, lose yourself in a good book and sip a pumpkin latte or munch a pumpkin treat (or two)! From the quaint to the eclectic, our coffee shops are a great escape on your trip!

Image: UCLA square

Watch a Rocket Launch!

Vandenberg Space Force Base is the primary spaceport on the West Coast and just minutes from Lompoc! Our valley is the best place to view rocket launches. The launches take place from several Space Launch Complex launch sites (SLC’s). Check out our list of several great launch sites where you’ll be able to view the launch action.

Take a scenic drive on our country roads!

If dramatic coastline views of frothy oceans or winding paths flowing through gentle hillsides are your thing, explore the winding country roads in and around Lompoc to satisfy your travelust! Take a country drive.

Enjoy quiet time in nature

If you’re looking to escape the city and shed some stress, consider spending some quality time in nature. Lompoc has a variety of calm, soothing outdoor activities that can help you refuel. Consider these options: 

• Hike Bodger Trail, a short, 1.5 mile hike just outside the city with stunning views of the Lompoc Valley at the top. 
• Find the hidden Nojoqui Falls that are tucked inside a seemingly simple city park. 
• Wander the soothing shores along Jalama Beach, located just 30 minutes outside the city.

Photo Credit: SkyDive SB

Go skydiving

If you’re looking for something a little more rigorous than art tours and beach walks, you can skydive. Lompoc offers the highest tandem jump on the west coast. Skydive Santa Barbara has an 18,000 foot tandem jump that’s like no other. The 90-second free-fall is an adrenaline-pumping adventure that combines high-flying thrills with scenic frills. 

So, what are you waiting for? Plan a fall road trip to Lompoc today. Visit Explore Lompoc for more fall activities that will make your seasonal trip a memorable one.