Things To Do in Lompoc
The local guide to the Valley of Flowers, kept current by Lompoc Locals
Lompoc sits on California's Central Coast between ranch land and the Pacific — home to a fully restored Spanish mission, tasting rooms pouring some of the state's best cool-climate wine, and rockets that light up the sky over Vandenberg. This guide covers what's genuinely worth your time, and every stop is inside the Lompoc Valley.
Jump to a section below, or browse the full activities directory for even more places.
01
La Purisima Mission State Historic Park
Founded in 1787 and rebuilt after the earthquake of 1812, La Purisima is among the most completely restored of California's 21 missions. Today the state historic park pairs its adobe church, workshops, and gardens with about 25 miles of trails through the Burton Mesa chaparral — an easy half day of history and hiking in one stop.
02
The Lompoc Wine Ghetto & Sta. Rita Hills wine
In a plain industrial park on the east side of town, a cluster of working wineries and tasting rooms pours the cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that made the Sta. Rita Hills appellation famous. There's no estate polish here — you're often tasting a few steps from the barrels, with the winemaker behind the counter.
03
Old Town murals, the Lompoc Museum & Cypress Gallery
Old Town doubles as an outdoor gallery: dozens of murals painted since the late 1980s tell the valley's story across building walls, and all of them are walkable in an afternoon. Pair the walk with the Lompoc Museum, housed in a former Carnegie library, and the artist-run Cypress Gallery a few blocks away.
04
Jalama Beach & Surf Beach
Jalama Beach County Park sits at the end of Jalama Road — about 14 miles of winding ranch country off Highway 1, with no services along the way — and rewards the drive with a raw, uncrowded shoreline, camping, and the park store's famous grill. Closer to town, Surf Beach at the end of Ocean Avenue brings wide sand and serious waves; parts of it close seasonally to protect nesting snowy plovers, so check conditions before you go.
05
Watch a rocket launch from Vandenberg
Lompoc is one of the few towns in the country where rocket launches are part of daily life. Vandenberg Space Force Base sends rockets over the Pacific year-round, and locals step outside or gather at viewpoints around the valley to watch — a night launch can light up the whole sky. Our news desk and events calendar track what's coming up.
06
Flower fields & the Flower Festival legacy
Lompoc earned its 'Valley of Flowers' nickname from the flower-seed industry that has farmed here since the early 1900s. In late spring and early summer, blocks of color still stripe the valley floor, and the Lompoc Flower Festival — a tradition since the 1950s — fills Ryon Park every June.
07
Eat & drink local
The valley's food scene runs from taquerias and panaderías to saloons, seafood, and small-batch bakeries. Here's a handful of local spots from our directory to get you started — and the deals feed shows who's running a special right now.
Make it this weekend
Our events calendar tracks what's happening across the Lompoc Valley — markets, live music, launches, and community events — and This Week rounds up the highlights. Staying over? We keep a local guide to every hotel in town.
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