Flower fields and spacecraft launches near the Pacific Coast
Set just off the Pacific Coast and right on Highway 1, the small midcentury town of Lompoc was long known for its flower farms but is now experiencing new growth, thanks to the nearby Vandenberg Space Force Base. This major area employer hosts launches for NASA and SpaceX, with future plans to build its Space Base California in Lompoc as an educational museum and a hub for space tourism. “We’re not on Highway 101, the main freeway, so a lot of people bypass Lompoc and don’t know what we have,” says Phillip Segura, a Lompoc resident and real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Select Realty. “Once the museum comes in and becomes popular, I think home prices will start to climb.”
Aside from the space base, Lompoc’s low housing costs compared to state averages, proximity to sandy beaches and year-round sunny mild weather has attracted some remote workers from larger cities like Los Angeles. Residents find community during the annual Flower Festival, a tradition since 1952, and often gather at local wine-tasting rooms and breweries.
Mission Hills is surrounded by stunning landscape.
Lompoc is accessed by the 1 freeway.
1/2
Low housing costs compared to California averages
As of late 2024, homes in Lompoc sell for a median price of $575,000, lower than the California state median of $890,000 but rising roughly 4% year over year.
Most local homes were built in the latter half of the 20th century, though some around Lompoc’s downtown core date back to the 1920s through ‘40s, and the rare 21st-century property can be found around the west edge of town. Most older homes are one-story ranch-style properties, while newer homes are a little bigger with multiple levels and Spanish Revival-influenced elements like earth-tone exteriors and barrel tile roofs. Many homeowners rent out their properties, and older homes are popular with investors looking to renovate and convert them into duplexes.
Brand-new construction is limited, but there are plans to build more housing over the next decade. In 2024, construction began on the 25-acre, 257-unit River Terrace housing development, while in 2025, the Burton Ranch subdivision is expected to break ground on an additional 476 single-family and multi-family homes.
Single story homes are common in Mission Hills.
Three car garages are an option in Mission Hills.
1/2
Beaches and nature preserves 10 miles west
The Pacific Ocean is about 10 miles west. Surf Beach is the closest spot to swim and stroll on the sand, but it's within the Vandenberg State Marine Reserve, where fishing isn't permitted. Anglers tend to head farther north, to the Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve. Ocean Beach Park and Estuary sits where the Santa Ynez River meets the Pacific, attracting lots of waterfowl and birdwatchers. Riverbend Park and River Park are both on the edge of town, offering many athletic courts and campgrounds. Smaller parks are scattered across the rest of town.
Surf Beach is the closest beach to Lompoc.
Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve offers a multitude of scenic views.
1/2
Wineries, breweries and the Annual Flower Festival
West Ocean Avenue runs through downtown Lompoc, lined with small bars, breweries and Mexican restaurants. Nearby side streets include the Lompoc Museum, government buildings and a few small art galleries. Several wine-tasting rooms are located just off Highway 1 and 12th Street, an area locally referred to as the “Lompoc Wine Ghetto.” Grocery stores and national retailers are set nearby along Highway 1, though locals may drive to Santa Maria for Costco and Trader Joe’s.
For four days every June, the Annual Flower Festival celebrates the town’s history as a hub for flower production. Held since 1952, the festival now includes a carnival, arts and crafts vendor fair and live music, as well as a parade headlined by the newly crowned Flower Festival Queen.
Solvang Brewing Co. is a popular spot for food and beers in West Lompoc.
Old Town Kitchen is a staple in East Lompoc.
1/2
Connected to the rest of the California coast by Highway 1
Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, leads 55 miles south to Santa Barbara and 27 miles north to Santa Maria. Los Angeles is 148 miles south via Highway 1 and U.S. Highway 101. The City of Lompoc Transit Department operates several local bus routes, and the Santa Maria Regional Transit District’s Route 30 bus runs from Lompoc to Santa Maria, stopping at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Lompoc Valley Medical Center is the only hospital in town. The Lompoc City Airport serves small private planes, but for commercial flights, locals head 47 miles to Santa Barbara Airport or 154 miles to Los Angeles International Airport.
Local kids attend Lompoc Unified School District
Lompoc Unified School District earns an overall B from Niche and includes the A-minus rated Cabrillo High. With 16 schools and over 9,000 students, the district offers bilingual education programs and recently expanded after-school athletics for third through sixth grade students in Fall 2024.
Cabrillo High School has a large campus.
Lompoc High School is central to the community.
1/2
Declining crime rates in 2023
According to the Lompoc Police Department, reported incidents of violent and property crime decreased significantly between 2022 and 2023. Vehicle thefts are the most reported offense, but since August 2023, the city's installation of 38 license plate readers has enabled police to recover dozens of stolen vehicles. Violent and property crime rates are generally lower than state and national rates, though they fluctuate from month to month.
Mild temperatures and natural disaster risks
Temperatures in Lompoc are mild year-round, seldom dipping below 30 degrees or rising above 85 degrees. Segura says, “Out of all the homes I’ve sold, only maybe 5% have air conditioning. We hardly ever put the heater on except for the coldest months, like the end of November into December. You can save a lot on utilities when you don’t pay for A/C.”
The Santa Ynez River can experience flooding during heavy rainfall, though according to FEMA's flood maps, most residential areas on and near the river are excluded from high-risk flood zones. That said, the west side of Lompoc has a .2% annual chance of flooding. According to the California State Fire Marshal, the undeveloped land surrounding the town is at moderate to very high risk of wildfires, though residential areas don’t overlap with any Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
River Park in Lompoc is home to many waterfowl.
West Lompoc is a small town full of big character.
A skilled negotiator who operates strategically and with uncompromised discretion to deliver outstanding results for both buyers and sellers. Randy's work ethic is to deliver a high level of service and exceed expectations while securing clients investment grade properties. If you want the highest price possible when selling your home, you need a Realtor® that has a strong marketing strategy using new media techniques, extensive negotiation experience, and global contacts of high net worth clients for the most possible reach.
Randy is a Broker Associate and Realtor® with contacts throughout the globe, over 30 years of impressive experience negotiating complex contracts for Fortune 100 companies as well as numerous real estate transactions. He will help you realize the full value of your home and find and investment grade replacement property - even in this competitive market. His strategy for your home will provide you with unparalleled exposure and access to the world's most qualified buyers which will ensure your home maintains the highest possible selling price. Randy works with both buyers and sellers in the Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Hope Ranch communities.
Throughout his extensive career in the medical device field in both Fortune 100 Companies and successful start up ventures in Regional Director and Vice President of Sales roles, Randy has cultivated his own invaluable network of high net worth luxury home buyers including, CEOs, tech titans, surgeons and angel Investors. This provides his clientele/sellers with extended reach to more qualified buyers. Randy possesses an exceptional talent for delivering a high level of service and top dollar outcomes that this industry’s discerning clients demand. A skilled negotiator who operates strategically and with absolute discretion to deliver outstanding results for both buyers and sellers. Exceeding expectations is his motto!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
