Located on California’s Central Coast, Lompoc takes its name from the Purisimeño phrase meaning “lagoon”. It was inhabited for thousands of years by the Chumash people before the Spanish established a mission in 1787. Nearby Miguelito Canyon is the largest marine diatomite mine in the world.
Things to do in Lompoc
In the heart of the city is the Lompoc Museum, which occupies a former Carnegie library that dates back to 1910. Learn about the Native American Chumash people while browsing the tools, bowls and baskets on display, together with a seven million-year-old dolphin fossil found nearby. Changing art exhibitions and special events are regularly held at the museum.
On the outskirts of Lompoc is the Mission La Purísima Concepcion, which was established in 1787 by the Franciscans. It is California’s only example of a complete Spanish Catholic mission complex and is preserved within La Purisima Mission State Historic Park. Join a guided tour to learn about the site’s storied past and see the mission’s beautifully adorned altar.
Continue driving east and you’ll arrive at La Purisima Golf Course, which was designed with the help of golfing architect Robert Muir Graves. Its 18 holes have been laid out across gently rolling hills dotted with oak trees and centred around a picturesque lake. You can develop your short and long-range game at the on-site practice facility before relaxing with a gourmet burger at The Grille.
Getting around Lompoc
Lompoc is around an hour’s drive from Santa Barbara and 30 minutes from Santa Maria Public Airport, which has regular flights to Las Vegas. The much larger Los Angeles International Airport is just under three hours away. Long-distance buses connect to Lompoc while renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.