More about Lompoc and the Lompoc Valley
The Lompoc Valley, nestled in California’s Central Coast, is an underrated gem bursting with charm. Wine lovers flock here for the famous Lompoc Wine Ghetto, a cluster of tasting rooms nestled in an industrial park where you can easily sample styles from boutique producers like Fiddlehead Cellars and Melville. A scenic spin through Sta. Rita Hills reveals rolling vineyards and coastal breezes—perfect spots for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay tastings.
Head over to La Purísima Mission State Historic Park, a fully restored 18th-century Spanish mission, to stroll through centuries-old buildings and peaceful grounds .
Love the outdoors? Jalama Beach offers unbeatable sunsets and camping opportunities for a peaceful escape by the sea. Vandenberg Air Force Base and nearby country drives deliver dramatic coastal cliffs and pastoral backroads—ideal for photographers and nature lovers. Art and history buffs will enjoy the colorful murals of downtown Lompoc and a visit to the Lompoc Museum, where Chumash artifacts, fossils, and horticulture exhibits bring the valley’s past to life.
When it’s time to eat and drink, you’ll find a friendly eclectic vibe. Enjoy casual local favorites like Mama’s Caffe, Sassafrass, and Fatte’s Pizza—perfect for a laid‑back bite. For something heartier, check out Angela’s Restaurant or Jalama Beach Grill for tacos just steps from the sand. Beer lovers can hit up Cold Coast Brewing or Solvang Brewing in town, while the wine-focused crowd can deepen their experience with boutique wineries like Foley Estates, Montemar, and Sanford on the surrounding trails.
Don’t miss the annual Lompoc Valley Flower Festival, held the last weekend in June. It’s a festive five-day celebration of the valley’s rich flower‑growing heritage, with parades, food, crafts—and a burst of color throughout town. Whether you’re chasing lavender fields, sampling estate wines, hiking coastal overlooks, or digging into fish tacos by the surf, Lompoc Valley offers a small-town, big-experience getaway you’ll remember.
A bit about Lompoc’s history
The first settlers in the Lompoc Valley were the Chumash Indians. The Lompoc Land Company was formed and incorporated in August of 1874 for the purpose of purchasing almost 43,000 acres to establish a temperance colony. The City of Lompoc was incorporated on August 13, 1888.
Lompoc (/ˈlɒmpoʊk/, LOM-poke) (Purisimeño: Lompo’, “Stagnant Water”) is a city in Santa Barbara County, California, on the west coast of the United States. The name of the city is derived from a Purisimeño term, “Lum Poc”, which means “stagnant waters” or “lagoon”.
La Purisima Mission
The Spanish priest, Father Presidente Fermin de Lasuen, founded La Purisima Mission on December 8, 1787; the mission was the 11th of 21 Franciscan Missions founded in California.
The La Purisima Mission land holdings once covered nearly 470 square miles. Bordered by the Santa Maria River in the North and the Gaviota coastline in the South, the land was home to the Chumash people and Spanish settlers. The mission was best known for its hides and blankets, and at its peak inhabitants herded as many as 24,000 cattle and sheep.
Attend the West Coast Cub and Antique Aircraft Fly-in and enjoy all the fun things Lompoc has to offer!