Discover the Lure of Lompoc, California

OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE

Visitors from Near and Far Discover the Lure of Lompoc in an Off-Season Getaway to California’s Central Coast

LOMPOC, CA – With its near perfect, year-round Mediterranean-like climate and gentle ocean breezes, paired with a bevy of attractions, from the 2,000-acre La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, to world-class golf, award-winning wines, and larger-the-life murals, Lompoc is a magnet for those with a passion for travel and new adventures. Situated on iconic Highway 1, this Central Coast gem offers year-round activities such as skydiving, hiking, cycling and walking tours.

What better time than now to take a seasonal sojourn just around the bend?  Here’s a glimpse of the many activities and attractions to enjoy during an off-season visit to Lompoc:

Spectacular Golf Courses

Two of Santa Barbara County’s top courses, La Purisima Golf Course and The Mission Club, both located in Lompoc, are a sure bet for golf enthusiasts. La Purisima’s superior 18-hole championship course, designed by world-renowned architect Robert Muir Graves, is a Central Coast gem. Players of all skill levels can enjoy its natural beauty and challenging holes. The Mission Club is a Ted Robinson-designed golf course that takes full advantage of its spectacular natural setting with stately oaks and mature pine trees framing the fairways.

Both courses are offering “Stay & Play” special rates for guests staying at participating hotels located in of Lompoc. When a round of golf is booked through the hotel, the cost is $60/person with cart (weekday) and $65/per person with cart (weekends). Participating Lompoc hotels include Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and SureStay Plus; more information at: https://explorelompoc.com/hotels-in-lompoc/

For stays of one month or longer, the cost-effective Snowbird Golf Program, from November 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019 offers a great deal for longer stays: Monthly Single Rate: One course $375/per person; Dual course $425/per person; Monthly Couples Rate: One course $500 per couple; Dual course $600 per couple.

La Purisima Mission: Tours, Hiking & Living History Events

At the awe-inspiring La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, visitors can experience what life was like for the first Spanish settlers to Lompoc Valley. The 2,000 acre Park is the site of the stunning, extensively restored and furnished La Purisima Mission, founded in 1787.

Visitors will discover 25 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding, a Visitor Center, Exhibit Hall, and a collection of livestock that includes horses, Spanish bulls, pigs and sheep. The Park is open seven days a week, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, from 9 am to 5 pm for self-guided tours; guided tours are offered Wednesdays through Sundays, and holiday Mondays, at 1 pm. At La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, ten reconstructed buildings with furnished rooms, mission gardens, and livestock, complete the remarkable portrait of this historic mission. Park entry fees per car are $6, general admission; $5, seniors; and $3 for physically-challenged visitors.

Here’s a list of events at the Mission, now through the end of the year.

Village Days at La Purisima Mission: November 3, 2018

The Tule Village comes to life November 3, from 11 am to 2 pm as visitors experience the blending of traditional Chumash and Colonial Spanish life ways. Demonstrators help visitors learn a variety of skills such as grinding acorns, basket weaving, building a tule house, making soapstone beads or tule dolls, and playing Chumash games.

Walk Off That Turkey Hike: November 24, 2018

A special Walk Off That Turkey Hike will be held Saturday, November 24, 2018, from 9 to 10:30 am, starting at the Visitor Center. The ranger-led hike will be moderately strenuous, family-friendly, and will last about 1.5 hours. Dogs are welcome, with clean-up required.

Founding Day Remembrance at La Purisima Mission: December 8, 2018

Brightly lit lanterns lead the way to an evening of candlelight and music observing the anniversary of the founding of La Purisima Mission in 1787.  Founding Day recognizes the day La Purisima Mission was established on December 8, 1787 on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Highlights of this annual observation include a Founding Day Mass at noon and a festive Founding Day evening concert at 7 pm in the setting of the historic church by candlelight, followed by fellowship and refreshments at La Sala. The public is invited to attend both events. No reservations are required.

Las Posadas at La Purisima Mission: December 15, 2018

Costumed docents lead the Las Posadas procession though the Mission grounds with songs in Spanish and English on December 15, from 2 to 4 pm.  The tradition dates back over 400 years to Mexico and reenacts the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Bethlehem.

Last Day of the Year Hike: December 31, 2018

A Last Day of the Year Hike is slated New Year’s Eve morning, December 31, from 9 to 10:30 am, starting at the Visitor Center. As with the Thanksgiving-time event, this hike is moderately strenuous, family friendly, free with park entry fee and last about 1.5 hours. Dogs are welcome, with clean up required.

Old Town Lompoc: Murals & Heritage Walk

Big art is everywhere and visitors from all over the world come to see over 30 murals on street corners, in alley ways, and on sides of prominent buildings that have turned Old Town Lompoc into an outdoor art gallery. Most of the murals are curated by the Lompoc Mural Society, a local non-profit dedicated to revitalizing historic old town and the valley’s economy through cultural tourism, and using art as a tool to help build bridges across barriers between ethnic and cultural groups.

The city’s latest “Mural in a Weekend” project was held earlier this month; volunteer artists along with visitors joined with Master Artist Art Mortimer to paint a new mural titled “Chautauqua,” which depicts the traveling shows that flourished in the U.S. at the turn of the 19th century and came to Lompoc.

The Old Town Heritage Walk is a one-mile self-guided walking tour of Lompoc that showcases the city’s history and architectural gems dating back to 1876.  History enthusiasts will especially enjoy the Andrew L. Huyck House (1890), Artesia School House (1876), Lompoc Museum (1911), and the Italian Stone Pines (planted 1940). As part of the experience, be sure to enjoy lunch and antiquing in Old Town along the route.

Visitors can download the Mural Tour Map and Heritage Walk Guide at ExploreLompoc.com or stop by the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau for a printed copy.

Lompoc Wine Trail

Wine tasting is “must do” when visiting Lompoc for the sheer variety of top-rate wines, tasting rooms, vineyards and estate wineries located in town on the outskirts in the Sta. Rita Hills wine appellation.

There are three main groupings of wineries along the Lompoc Wine Trail:

Sta. Rita Hills AVA

Visitors will find spectacular vineyard vistas and estate wineries just minutes from Lompoc in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA praised known for its award-winning exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other cool climate varietals.  Wine lovers can expect the best here as many of the winemakers have won prestigious awards and 91+ or higher ratings from Wine Spectator Magazine. Most are open seven days a week for tastings and tours. Undoubtedly, it is the perfect getaway for wine enthusiasts.

Lompoc Wine Ghetto

Boasting 20 boutique tasting rooms, the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, located just off Pacific Coast Highway 1 and 12th Street, is an attraction not to be missed. This unique collection of boutique wineries, clustered in an industrial setting, offer some great varietals of small batch wines in casual and intimate tasting rooms. Most tasting rooms are open Fridays through Sundays, but some are open on select weekdays as well.

Midtown Lompoc Wineries

A few blocks from the Wine Ghetto in Midtown Lompoc, wine enthusiasts can visit the Lompoc Wine Factory, a community-based winery for local makers including Turiya Winery, Jalama Wines, Core Family Winery and others. Also, in Midtown is the acclaimed Longoria Winery, a small family owned winery established in 1982, producing acclaimed artisanal wines – Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Red Wine Blends.

Tandem Skydiving

The sky is the limit at Skydive Santa Barbara in Lompoc where thrill seekers can take the highest tandem jump on the West Coast and witness unforgettable views of the Pacific Ocean, hillsides, and vineyards.  Visitors looking for real adventure and an adrenaline rush will not want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Options include the 8,000-foot tandem jump, the 13,000-foot tandem jump, or the thrilling 18,000-foot tandem jump. Fully recognized by the FAA, the popular attraction has operated daily for the last 15 years with an untarnished safety record.

Nearby Towns to Explore

With Lompoc a “home base” for a multi-day Central Coast getaway, visitors can easily explore nearby towns and attractions, all within an easy-and scenic 30 minute drive from Lompoc.

Solvang

In the Danish-themed village of Solvang just 22 miles from Lompoc, visitors can stroll the picturesque village, sample fresh-baked Danish pastries, dine on delicious Scandinavian food, shop for souvenirs, and snap photographs of quaint windmills that dot the small, quaint town. History buffs, vintage motorcycle enthusiasts, and museum goers will enjoy exploring a multitude of Solvang museums and historic sites.

Los Olivos

This charming historic town, an easy drive from Lompoc on Route 246, is located in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. Visitors can shop and stroll in town, where an abundance of art galleries and tasting rooms await or visit the vineyards and horse ranches in the countryside.

Los Alamos

Known for its one-horse town charm and historic roots, Los Alamos reflects as much Old West heritage as any small town on California’s Central Coast. Founded in 1876, Los Alamos (Spanish for “the cottonwoods” that still grace the area) looks and feels vintage, yet vaunts a burgeoning food, wine, arts and antiques scene.

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 wine tasting, golf, biking (road, trails, BMX Bike Park), hiking, skydiving and nearby surfing at Jalama Beach. The city has 12 hotels and a host of restaurants to welcome visitors.

Media Contacts:

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

Maris Somerville, Explore Lompoc PR Rep, 310-701-6872, maris@somervillepr.com