Visit 16 Stunning Lompoc Murals with this Itinerary

Lompoc’s iconic Uptown area is home to 30 major murals that sprawl across buildings, wind through alleys, and decorate city streets. If you’re visiting the city, taking a self-guided tour is a must. To help every visitor take in the artistic sights, we’ll give you an itinerary to follow.

First, a quick history lesson

The first mural in Lompoc was created in 1990 and was inspired by two citizens who visited a small Canadian city that used murals as a tourist attraction. The two residents, Gene and Judy Stevens, pitched the idea to the town of Lompoc and the first mural, “Lompoc Flower Industry,” was painted on West Ocean Drive.

Each year, a new mural is added to the town’s collection. Every year artists answer the city’s call for designs. A design is selected and scheduled for completion in one day. That’s right, most of the murals were painted in a day with residents aiding the artist.

A visitor’s mural itinerary

Ready to see some amazing art? This quick tour takes you by 16 of the city’s murals and only spans about three blocks, so it’s easy to walk.

1. Start by printing the mural map

   The Lompoc Mural Society has created a Mural Map that’s a great tool for visitors to print and carry with them. Most Lompoc hotels have a business center in the lobby where you can print a copy.

2. Park, see five murals and grab a drink

   Lompoc has on-street parking, but you can also park at the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce at 111 South I Street. You’ll see your first mural on the side of the Chamber’s building known as Diatomaceous Mining, which honors the local diatomaceous earth business.

   As you walk out of the parking lot, heading towards South H Street, you’ll be on Art Alley, which has the highest concentration of murals in Uptown. On this block, you’ll see a fan-favorite, Feeding Time, which is a massive painting of a T-Rex, followed by the Lompoc Pioneers. You’ll see The Boatman and Lompoc Vintage before hitting South H Street.

   

   Once you hit South H Street, grab a quick cup of coffee or a cool drink at South Side Coffee.

3. Continue down Art Alley

   Keep walking down Art Alley towards South G Street. Check out the Lompoc Fire Department to see Lompoc’s first fire chief painted on the building and then duck down the alley near the fire department.

   Here you’ll see Tragedy at Honda Point, Antique Race Cars, and a series of doors that showcase Flowers of the Valley. Next is An Artist’s Cottage, which transforms the front of a cinderblock building that houses an art gallery.

   

4. Walk up South H Street

   From the alley, you’re steps away from South H Street. You’ll finish your final leg of the tour by walking up this street to see another six murals. The Sleep Shop has two murals on it, Temperance and Rudolph Mansion, which is an image of the city’s first mayor, Harvey Rudolph’s three-story home. Four other murals, including Fields of Gold are also on this street.

5. Head back to your car and grab a bite

   You’re close to some great restaurants like Old Town Kitchen and Bar, Eye on I, Sushi Teri, and more, so if you’ve worked up an appetite for dinner, you can stop in for a bite.

   The murals of Lompoc should be on every visitor’s must-see list and this quick itinerary is a great way to see these impressive pieces of art all while touring the city’s charming Uptown.