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Lompoc, CA

Frequently asked questions

Lompoc, CA

Lompoc is a city in Santa Barbara County, California. Located on the Central Coast, Lompoc has a population of 43,834 as of July 2021.

Lompoc has been inhabited for thousands of years by the Chumash people, who called the area lumpo'o̥, meaning 'in the cheeks' in the local Purisimeño language. The Spanish called the area Lompoco after Fermín de Lasuén had established Misión La Purísima in 1787. In 1837, the Mexican government sold the area as the Rancho Lompoc land grant. Following the U.S. conquest of California, multiple settlers acquired the Lompoc Valley, including William Welles Hollister, who sold the land around the mission to the Lompoc Valley Land Company, which established a temperance colony incorporated in 1888 as Lompoc. Lompoc is often considered a military town because it is near Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Before the Spanish conquest, the area around Lompoc was inhabited by the Chumash people. The Original Mission La Purísima was established in 1787 near what is now the southern edge of the city. Purisimeño, a Chumashan language, was spoken in the region during the mission period. After an earthquake destroyed the mission in 1812, it was moved to its present location 1 mile (1.6 km) northeast of the present city. After independence from the Spanish Empire, the First Mexican Empire was established in 1821. The Mexicans secularized the Spanish missions in 1833, and the La Purisima Mission fell into ruins.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.7 square miles (30 km2), 99.34% of it land and 0.66% of it water.

Most of the city is in the valley of the Santa Ynez River, at an elevation of about 80–100 feet (25–30 meters). Expansion has been to the north, on higher ground known as Vandenberg Village, with elevations of 150–300 feet (50–100 meters). Like most rivers in Southern California, the Santa Ynez River does not have a surface flow for most of the year. Underground flow in the sandy river bed recharges the aquifer beneath the city, from which nine wells (with a tenth one planned) supply the city with water. Unlike many other cities in Southern California, Lompoc is not connected to the State Water Project.

Lompoc focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Lompoc Recreation and Community Services Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness, Pier Fitness, and CrossFit Ohana. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Lompoc, such as the Bodger Trail and the River Bend Bike Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Lompoc, CA are Longoria Winery & Tasting Room, La Purísima Mission State Historic Park, and Lompoc Flower Fields. 

Population: 43,045 (2023). ZIP codes: 93436–93438. Area code: 805. Elevation: 105 ft. Area: 11.7 square miles (30 km2).

FAQs

Why is Lompoc, CA famous?

Lompoc is famous for its many fields of commercially grown flowers, its wineries, and its beautiful street murals. As the local visitors bureau puts it, "Nearly 40 murals – on street corners, in alleyways, and on sides of prominent buildings – have turned Old Town Lompoc into an outdoor art gallery. Lompoc Murals is one of the city’s top attractions, depicting scenes of Lompoc’s heritage, flower industry, historic sights, ethnic diversity, scenic beauty, and more. 

Is Lompoc, CA a good place to live?

Living in Lompoc offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Lompoc, there are a lot of parks. Many families live in Lompoc and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Lompoc are above average.

What is the Lompoc, CA crime rate?

The crime rate in Lompoc is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 25 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Lompoc is 1 in 40. Based on FBI crime data, Lompoc is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to California, Lompoc has a crime rate that is higher than 73% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Lompoc

Santa Barbara County

Lompoc’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Planet Fitness

Pier Fitness

CrossFit Ohana

Bodger Traill 

River Bend Bike Park

Longoria Winery & Tasting Room

La Purísima Mission State Historic Park

Lompoc Flower Fields

Celestis

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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