Delve Into Year Round Family Fun in Lompoc

OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE – June 13, 2018

Susan Bejeckian, Explore Lompoc PR Rep, 626-570-1051, sbejeckian@gmail.com

Maris Somerville, Explore Lompoc PR Rep, 301-701-6872, Maris@Somervillepr.com

Top Attractions for a Family Getaway to the California Central Coast

Imagine scenic parks and beaches, miles of hiking trails, vibrant flower fields, vivid outdoor art, and historic attractions all within a three-hour scenic sojourn from Los Angeles. These Central Coast “must-do” adventures and more await in Lompoc, “The City of Arts and Flowers.” This diverse destination is steeped in history, rich in agriculture, and poised for family fun.

Here is a snapshot of what is in store for the entire family in Lompoc:

A Step Back In Time

A focal point of Lompoc is awe-inspiring La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, providing an in-depth encounter of what life was like for the first Spanish settlers to Lompoc Valley. The Park is the site of the stunning, extensively restored La Purisima Mission, founded in 1787. This fully restored and furnished California Mission is set in a beautifully maintained environment that hosts seasonal living history events reflecting Mission life back in 1820s. The nearly 2,000-acre Park boasts 10 buildings, 25 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding, a Visitor Center, Exhibit Hall, and livestock, including horses, Spanish bulls, pigs and sheep. The Park is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self-guided tours; guided tours are offered at 1 pm, Wednesdays through Sundays, and holiday Mondays.

Water Park Fun

Get in the swim of things at the state-of-the-art Lompoc Aquatic Center, one of the largest indoor water parks in California, operated by the City of Lompoc. Families enjoy a host of aquatic features, including two 126’ winding water slides; AquaPlay, an interactive water playground; a 10-lane competition/water polo pool; a recreation pool; and a therapeutic pool with wet-wheelchair ramp access. The Center is open daily in the summer from 1 to 3 p.m. through August 14, 2018, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m., and on Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission ranges from $1 to $4.50/per person, based on age.

Jalama Beach Memories

Revel in the great outdoors with a jaunt to Jalama Beach County Park. This scenic sojourn, about 15 miles from Lompoc, allows visitors to drive by pastoral working ranches, vineyards, and hillside vistas en route to the coast. Once at the beach, families can let loose and frolic on the sand, surf, fly kites, bird watch, fish, hike, picnic, and select their favorite vistas to take stunning photographs. Open year round, the day use fee is $10 per vehicle; Dogs can enjoy the beach for $3 per dog. The on-site Jalama Beach Grill – known for its legendary Jalama Burger is open daily for breakfast, lunch and early dinner.

Disc Golf Outing

Bring your Frisbees, and head to Beattie Park for an 18-hole Disc Golf Course that challenges players of all skill levels. Situated on a sprawling 50-acre site against the foothills, Beattie Park offers sweeping views of the Lompoc Valley. On a clear day, visitors may see the Pacific Ocean from the Lookout Point Gazebo, the highest point in the park. In addition to the disc golf course, amenities include horseshoe pits, a children’s playground, two lighted basketball courts, sports fields, picnic areas, and an urban forest preserve with a winding fitness trail.

Off-Road Cycling

River Bend Bike Park, built by community volunteers for BMX and dirt bike enthusiasts, is the place for families to hit the jumps and surrounding dirt trails for some cycling thrills. The bike park caters to all skill levels, and is open daily, weather and conditions permitting. This favorite off-road attraction accommodates families with on-site picnic tables and restrooms, and is open from sunrise to sunset. Admission is free. Helmets are required.

Al fresco Art Hunt

One of the City’s great attractions is the nearly 40 larger-than-life commissioned and community outdoor murals, colored with artistic splendor on prominent buildings and walls throughout Old Town Lompoc, making them fun to explore by foot or bicycle. Families may opt to kick it up a notch and turn the self-guided mural tour into a treasure hunt where kids can uncover works of art depicting scenes of Lompoc’s heritage, flower industry, historic sights, ethnic diversity and more. The murals also make a colorful backdrop for family photos and selfies, especially the “Feeding Time” mural located in Art Alley.

Fish and Frolick

Set against a sylvan setting of the Santa Ynez River and agricultural fields, picturesque River Park in Lompoc is an ideal spot for family fun with fishing, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball courts, a walking/jogging trail, grassy open space areas, and Kiwanis Lake – a small man-made fishing pond that attracts a variety of rich, abundant wildlife. Picnic areas and group barbecue areas (all of which may be reserved) are also available for large gatherings.

Birding At Its Best

The wind-swept Ocean Beach Park & Estuary, where the Santa Ynez River meets the Pacific blue, allows families to discover Lompoc’s engaging and beautiful shoreline, where birdwatchers and photographers flock to see this dynamic stretch of the California coast. Open year-round, this remote park, about 10 miles west of Old Town Lompoc, offers families a chance to reconnect with nature and see a myriad of migratory sea birds.

Summertime Family-Friendly Festivals and Events:

Lompoc Flower Festival

The city’s flower industry heritage is celebrated annually at the Lompoc Flower Festival, slated for June 20 to 24, 2018 at Ryon Park. Families come for carnival rides and games, arts and crafts exhibitors, food booths, commercial vendors, musical entertainment, flower displays, and the Saturday morning parade. Many bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to relax on the lawn to enjoy the live entertainment and festivities. The carnival, food booths and commercial vendors are open all five days. Entertainment is free with a $5 festival admission. Children under 12 are FREE. Paid parking is available for a nominal fee.

Old Town Market

A fun way to kick off a weekend getaway to Lompoc is at the Old Town Market, a colorful street fair held seven Friday nights, from June 29 to August 10, 2018, 5 to 8 p.m. on the 100 block of South H Street. Here families stroll the free outdoor event to enjoy live entertainment, local vendors, farmers’ market offerings, and a kids activities. Sponsored by Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, each week features a different theme with activities ranging from hay rides and a public safety night with free bike helmet giveaways, to interactive arts activities and an open streets celebration.

Wild Horse Sanctuary Tours

One of the most exciting family experiences on the Central Coast is a day spent at Return to Freedom’s Wild Horse Sanctuary Tours. The once a month, summer events provide docent-guided walking tours, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see the sanctuary and observe and learn about the wild herds. Tours are available on June 30, July 28 and August 25, 2018 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Horse-lovers get a chance to meet some of the mustangs that live at the sanctuary and represent a vital link to the history of the horse in North America. Light refreshments are provided. Tickets are $50 per adult; $15 for children under 12.

West Coast Cub Fly-In

The acclaimed annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at Lompoc Airport, set for July 13 to 15, 2018, allows visitors to see more than 100 historic planes, observe flying events, and interact with the pilots. Among the popular events are pilot proficiency contests held on Saturday afternoon. Visitors can purchase tickets and dine with the pilots at the Friday spaghetti dinner, Saturday and Sunday pancake breakfasts, and/or Tri-tip dinner on Saturday night. Food, t-shirts and souvenirs are available for purchase on-site. Event goers are asked to bring their own lawn chairs. Free parking is limited on site, but additional parking is nearby.

Childrens Mission Life Day

Celebrate California mission history the old-fashioned way at the festive Childrens Mission Life Day at La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, set for July 21, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual event brings together both park rangers and docents – some of them dressed in period costumes – who give visitors a living history overview with demonstrations about mission life during the early 1800s. Interactive stations may include tortilla making, candle making, along with kid friendly activities, dress up, and the chance to see the animals.

About Lompoc

Located on scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1, just 155 miles northwest from Los Angeles with close proximity to Santa Barbara and Solvang, Lompoc takes on a world of its own.  Its valley setting, surrounded by spectacular rolling hills and vineyards, creates an invitation for visitors to detour off the main road, and discover what’s around the bend.

Lompoc is a destination for golf, biking (road, trails, BMX Bike Park), hiking, skydiving and nearby surfing at Jalama Beach.  Lompoc is the also gateway to the Sta. Rita Hills wine AVA, and home to the incredible Lompoc Wine Ghetto and Lompoc Valley Wine Trail, featuring a collection of more than 30 wineries and tasting rooms throughout the city.

In addition to a multitude of attractions, Lompoc offers a variety of affordable family-friendly hotels and motels and a wide selection of kid-friendly restaurants such as Alfie’s Fish & Chips, The Beach, Floriano’s Mexican Food to name a few. To discover more about the Lompoc Valley, and other things to see and do, visit: www.explorelompoc.com

# # #