Learning Experiences Abound for Travelers as They Discover a 'Space to Explore' Getaway

LOMPOC, Calif., July 17, 2019 (Newswire.com) - A visit to the sweeping Lompoc Valley evokes many diverse visitor experiences, from a step back in time to the early California Mission days to photo safaris at the wild horse sanctuary to traversing some of the most coveted estate vineyards in an ATV with a winemaker. These and more "Space to Explore" adventures are attracting visitors of all ages to Lompoc, where a variety of new skills can be acquired.

Situated on iconic Pacific Coast Highway 1, just 155 miles northwest from Los Angeles, this appealing Central Coast destination, with an enrichment component, boasts scenic parks and beaches, miles of hiking trails, vibrant flower fields, vivid outdoor art and historic attractions all within a three-hour scenic sojourn from Los Angeles.

Below is a list of Lompoc experiences that allow travelers to pack meaning and purpose into a travel getaway:

ON THE FARM CLASSES

Gardening Brunch & Seminar
Date: Aug. 17, 2019
​Time: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
​Location: Dare 2 Dream Farms, 890 La Salle Canyon Road, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: $44.95 per person
​Register online: www.dare2dreamfarms.com/experience

This fun, outdoor event will allow gardening enthusiasts to delve into the world of decorative and edible landscaping. Aspiring gardeners learn from experts about the farm community, spend time getting their hands dirty and enjoy a delicious farm-sourced brunch. The event begins with a morning on the farm with a guided tour of the garden and a farm-fresh brunch. Afterward, visitors learn sage gardening lessons and tips about edible and decorative landscaping from guest speakers Warren Keller of Warrens Garden and Rachel Meeker of Wanderlust Wildcraft. At the end of the class, participants enjoy a hands-on learning project.

Fresh Cheese Making for Beginners
Date: Aug. 24, 2019
​Time: 1 - 5 p.m.
​Location: Dare 2 Dream Farms, 890 La Salle Canyon Road, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: $44.95 per person
​Register online: www.dare2dreamfarms.com/experience

Visitors can learn cheese-making skills with a class taught by Dare 2 Dream Farms Livestock Manager Rachel Meeker who covers the basics of acid-based cheeses: ricotta, paneer, mozzarella and burrata. Meeker provides cheese lovers with a four-hour, step-by-step process of cheese making and provides take home recipes, tools and ingredients, along with a sample of the Farm's soft cheese. As part of the class, participants learn how to make four cheese recipes at home, how milks are turned into cheese, basic cheese making ingredients and tools, and safe practices for cheese making.

Cultured Cheeses & Yogurt Class
Date: Sept. 7, 2019
​Time: 1-5 p.m.
​Location: Dare 2 Dream Farms, 890 La Salle Canyon Road, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: $44.95 per person
​Register online: www.dare2dreamfarms.com/experience

Participants enjoy a hands-on-class led by Livestock Manager Rachel Meeker who shares the basics of chevre, feta and yogurt products, demonstrates step-by-step processes, and provides recipes, ingredients and a sample of the farm's soft cheeses.

Dairy Goat Class for Beginners
Date: Spring 2020
​Time: TBA
​Location: Dare 2 Dream Farms, 890 La Salle Canyon Road, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: $34.95 per person

Participants learn the basics of small dairy goat herd management as Dare 2 Dreams Farms Livestock Manager Rachel Meeker teaches a class that highlights a variety of topics, including daily goat care, maintenance, nutrition and psychology.

Backyard Chicken Class for Beginners
Date: Spring 2020
​Time: TBA
​Location: Dare 2 Dream Farms, 890 La Salle Canyon Road, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: $34.95 per person

Attendees can learn to raise chickens like a farmer with a course tailored specifically to those who want to start their own backyard production. The course allows class goers to discover different breeds, color, friendliness and hardiness, in addition to safety components of a chicken coop and safe egg handling.

More about Dare 2 Dream Farms at: explorelompoc.com/directory/dare-2-dream-farms/

ART CLASSES

Drawing Class for Kids
Date: Saturday, July 20, 2019
​Time: 11 am to noon
​Location: Cypress Gallery, 119 E Cypress Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: $.50 cents donation
​Reservations: (805) 737-1129; space is limited to 15 people

Vacationing youngsters can express themselves with Art Class for Kids, presented by Lompoc Valley Art Association at the Cypress Gallery. Guest Artist John Lettau, known for his "Barn Quilts" art form, shows kids nine years + how to make a basic design and create a spectacular picture using crayons and pencils under his guidance. Some supplies included.

Arts and Crafts Class for Little Ones
Date: Saturday, July 20, 2019
​Time: 1 - 2 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
​Location: Cypress Gallery, 119 E Cypress Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: $.50 cents donation
​Reservations: (805) 737-1129; space is limited to 15 people

Children's imaginations will soar with the Lompoc Valley Art Association's Art Class for Little Ones ages 3 years and older. As part of the afternoon of fun, kids work with a variety of media that include paint, crayons, and colored pencils to make zoo animals from paper plates. Some supplies included.

Silk Scarf Dyeing Class
Date: Saturday, July 27, 2019
​Time: 10 a.m. - noon and 2 - 4 p.m.
​Location: Cypress Gallery, 119 E Cypress Ave, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: $25 per person; space is limited to 15 people
​Reservations: (805) 737-1129

Visitors can tap their creative sensibilities with one of Lompoc Valley Art Association's Art Class for Adults. Celebrating 25 years at the Lompoc art gallery, the Association encourages art enthusiasts (ages 16 years+) to create their own colorful 15 x 60-inch dyed silk scarf under the instruction of resident Artist Tonya Schultz. All supplies included.

More about Cypress Gallery at explorelompoc.com/directory/cypress-gallery

LIVING HISTORY EVENTS

Children's Mission Life Day
Date: Saturday, July 20, 2019
​Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
​Location: La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: Parking is $6 per vehicle

This event is a step back in time that explores the past with hands-on activities and crafts and offers a glimpse of what Mission life was like back in the 1820s. Costumed docents and staff provide demonstrations and hands-on activities where kids of all ages experience tortilla making, pottery making, adobe brick making, bread baking and candle making. The Mission is open daily year-round.

Mountain Men Encampment
Date: Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23-24, 2019
​Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
​Location: La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: Parking is $6 per vehicle

The Mission salutes America's rugged mountain men during this annual event. Buckskin clad members of the American Mountain Men set up camp, share mountain men history and skills, such as cooking, hide preparation and tanning, leatherworking, rope making, blacksmithing, hunting and engage visitors with activities from the hunting and trapping days of the 1830s. Equipment will be on display, and tall tales will be told around the campfire.

Village Days
Date: Saturdays, Aug. 24 and Nov. 2, 2019
​Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
​Location: La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: Parking is $6 per vehicle

A Tule Village comes to life as visitors witness the blending of traditional Chumash Indian and Colonial Spanish culture. Participants engage in activities that include acorn grinding, basket weaving, making soapstone beads and tule dolls, and playing Chumash games. Set on 2,000 acres, the park personnel shares what life was like for the first Spanish settlers in Lompoc Valley.

Harvest Mission Life Day
Date: Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019
​Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
​Location: La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: Parking is $6 per vehicle

Celebrate the fall harvest with a visit to stomp grapes at the end-of-the-season grape harvest and enjoy other traditional Mission activities.

Archaeology Day
Date: Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019
​Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
​Location: La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: Parking is $6 per vehicle

Participants can sift through sand for hidden clues to the past at the Park's dig site and also carve soapstone beads and witness flint knapping demonstrations.

More about La Purisima Mission at explorelompoc.com/la-purisima-mission/

PHOTO SAFARIS

Wild Horse Photo Safari
Date: Saturdays, July 20 and Aug. 17, 2019
​Time: 3:00 p.m. - dusk
​Location: Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary, 4115 Jalama Rd, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: $200 per person
​Reservations: https://returntofreedom.org/visit/

Photographers of all skill levels can sharpen their technique with Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary's Photo Safaris. A national nonprofit advocacy organization that also operates the American Wild Horse Sanctuary, Return to Freedom cares for about 540 wild horses and burros at four California locations, including 150 wild horses and 27 burros at its 300-acre headquarters south of Lompoc. It is here that amateur and experienced photographers are able to experience diverse herds of the American mustang, including descendants of Padres Kino's Spanish Mission horses, the Iberian Sorraia-type Sulphur Springs herd and the rarely found Cerbat Spanish Mustang. The sanctuary is also home to wild burros that live in a hillside oak forest.

More about RTF at explorelompoc.com/directory/return-freedom-wild-horse-sanctuary/

VINEYARD ADVENTURES and WINEMAKING CLASSES

ATV Vineyard Tour
Date: Seasonal
​Duration: 1.5+ hours (Private Tours; Advanced Reservations Required)
​Location: Sanford Winery, 5010 Santa Rosa Road, Lompoc, CA 93436
​Cost: $115 per person for tour and $140 per person with picnic lunch.
​Reservations: http://www.sanfordwinery.com/wineryreservations

Sanford Winery's All-Terrain Vineyard (ATV) Experience through the lush vineyards of the Sta. Rita Hills is the ultimate wine tasting adventure where up to four guests can enjoy an afternoon tour narrated by a wine educator. As part of the tour, passengers see coveted estate vineyard blocks and sample delicious Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the vineyards in which the grapes are grown. Adventure, education and high-quality wines await as part of this seasonal tour that can be paired with an optional picnic lunch with Sanford wines. The wine country experience is based on vineyard conditions.

More about Sanford at explorelompoc.com/directory/sanford-winery-vineyards

Winemaking Class
Date: Seasonal
​Duration: 2 - 2.5 hour (Private Classes; Advanced Reservations Required)
Location: Turiya Winery
Cost: $75 per person; 4 person minimum
​Reservations: 805-478-7016

Turiya Winery's extraordinary hands-on winemaking class is the ultimate wine blending experience. Taught by Winemaker Angela Soleno, wine lovers access some of the rarest wines in the world and also have a chance to take the wine straight from the barrel. Although Turiya Winery produces an ultra-small production, wine goers can still achieve a variety of outcomes depending on several factors such as: barrel type, length of age, vintage, and varietal. Classes teach participants about how to create a customized blend and how to bottle (500 ml) to take home to share with friends.

More about Turiya at explorelompoc.com/directory/turiya-wines/

ABOUT LOMPOC

Located on scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1 with close proximity to Santa Barbara and Solvang, Lompoc takes on a world of its own. Its valley setting, surrounded by spectacular rolling hills and vineyards, creates an invitation for visitors to detour off the main road. Lompoc is a destination for wine tasting, golf, biking (road, trails, BMX Bike Park), hiking, skydiving and nearby surfing at Jalama Beach. The Central Coast destination is the also gateway to the Sta. Rita Hills wine AVA and home to the incredible Lompoc Wine Ghetto and Lompoc Valley Wine Trail, featuring a collection of more than 30 wineries and tasting rooms throughout the city.

The closest city to Vandenberg Air Force Base, just 10 miles from the main gate, Lompoc has become a popular destination to witness the many thrilling west coast rocket launches by NASA and SpaceX from VAFB. Lompoc is also home to La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, the most fully restored and furnished of the 21 California missions.

The city has 12 hotels to welcome visitors and a variety of locally owned restaurants.

To discover more about the Lompoc Valley, visit: www.explorelompoc.com

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Media Contacts:

Susan Bejeckian, Explore Lompoc PR Rep, 626-570-1051; [email protected]
Maris Somerville, Explore Lompoc PR Rep, 310-701-6872; [email protected]

Source: Explore Lompoc