Posted 7/27/2005
Lompoc: City of murals and flowers near Santa Barbara
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It may finally be getting there.
Just an hour's drive north of downtown Santa Barbara, Lompoc is building a reputation as a destination for day trips.
It has one of California's premier missions, birdwatching, top-rated golf course, acres of luscious-smelling flowers, a military base with a unique Cold War history and more than 60 outdoor murals.
Previously known mainly as the home of a federal penitentiary and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc is now calling itself the "City of Murals in the Valley of the Flowers." Affordable housing and easy access to the coast have helped it bloom in recent years.
For historical perspective on the Lompoc Valley, the ultimate stop-off is La Purisima Mission State Historic Park. As the 11th of the 21 Franciscan Missions established in California, La Purisima is one of the most completely restored.
IF YOU GO ...
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Getting there: Take Highway 101 to Highway 1 near Santa Barbara,
or follow Highway 101 to Buellton and the junction of Highway 246. Turn west
toward Lompoc.
General information: (800) 240-0999
On the Web:
http://www.lompoc.com/
The original Lompoc mission, founded in 1787, was destroyed in an earthquake in 1812. Restoration began In 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. There are 12 miles of hiking and horseback trails that provide views of wildflowers, native chaparral and wildlife.
Throughout the year, La Purisima offers events such as Mission Life Days, which showcases skills from long ago like candle-making, weaving and blacksmithing, and the popular People Days, when docents wear historical costumes and role-play characters from the mission days.
If you're a history buff, try Lompoc Museum. Built in 1910 as a Carnegie Library, it includes extensive displays involving Chumash artifacts, the pioneer history of Lompoc Valley and other exhibits.
The museum is sheltered under one of the largest groves of Italian Stone Pine trees outside the Mediterranean that has towered over the street since 1940. Nearby is the Cypress Art Gallery, featuring local artists.
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"The Great Floral Flag": The mural recreats the 1942 Bodger Seeds
giant floral U.S. flag planted as a salute to service members in World War
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Aside from its history, Lompoc is known for its flower seed industry. Though vegetables have taken over much of the acreage, the city still celebrates every June with the weeklong Flower Festival.
During the summer, visitors can drive west into fertile fields to smell sweat peas — Lompoc's signature flower — as well as fragrant stock, larkspur, delphiniums and bachelor buttons.
With several flower seed companies still in business, patchwork fields showcase experimental varieties.
The fields are also visually stunning with artichokes, kale, cabbage, spinach, broccoli and asparagus. The best way to see them is to drive west on Central Avenue or Ocean Avenue then head back east on the alternate street, crisscrossing the fields via side roads to enjoy the variety.
Lompoc likes to boast about its murals, which began appearing in the early 1990s to boost tourism by promoting art. Each mural represents some aspect of Lompoc's history, including its Chumash heritage, diatomaceous earth mining industry, temperance founding and salute to aerospace.
Some of the most stunning works include "Ethnic Diversity," depicting 12 facial portraits that show off Lompoc as the county's most ethnically diversity community.
"The Great Floral Flag" re-creates the 1942 Bodger Seeds giant American flag, planted as a salute to men and woman fighting in World War II. "History of the Pacific Coast" shows famous shipwrecks and recalls when Teddy Roosevelt visited Surf beach while running for president.
To finish off the day, take the Old Towne Heritage Walk and wander past two dozen shops, eateries, antique stores and historic sites.