This Charming City In California Is Known For Its Expansive Flower Fields And Underrated Wine Scene

Santa Barbara is the face of California's Central Coast, and this iconic beach town known as the "American Riviera" knows a thing or two about wine. But elsewhere in Santa Barbara County, you'll find a bunch of smaller regions with wine scenes of their own, without the big-city price tags. An hour away from Santa Barbara is Lompoc, a place where you can walk to a wine tasting with a gorgeous bouquet in your hand. This Central Coast destination is all about the visual delight of flowers that provide us with a sense of joy on a daily basis. If scent can make you fall in love, Lompoc is where romance blooms — literally.

The Chumash tribe, a Native American group historically located in California, called Lompoc their home for thousands of years. The city's name has many translations, including "Where the Water Breaks Through" or "Land of Many Lakes." Europeans settled in the region in 1787, and in the early 1900s, the Lompoc Valley community grew exponentially thanks to the railroad connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco. The city of Lompoc has since developed its tourism sector and has earned a reputation as "The City of Arts and Flowers."

The closest airport to Lompoc is the Santa Maria Public Airport located 30 minutes from the city. However, Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is the largest in the area and offers more domestic flight options. Lompoc is a great spot for a coastal getaway as the best beaches in Santa Barbara are only an hour away. The drive from Los Angeles can take up to three hours, but it's incredibly scenic.

Flowers are a universal gesture of love, and as soon as you see the expansive flower fields of Lompoc, you'll graciously accept nature's gift. Make your way to the Lompoc Flower Fields for a kaleidoscopic explosion of seasonal florals. From April to September, you'll come across purple and indigo Larkspur, apple-green Bells of Ireland, bright white Queen Anne's Lace, and many other blossoms. Unfortunately, you cannot frolic to your heart's content — the fields are private property, but you can still admire the flowers from a distance. In the spring, the region comes alive with wildflowers visible from the roadside. 

Those who yearn for the aroma of lavender can head to Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm. The family-owned establishment infuses the plant's calming properties into candles, essential oils, lotions, soaps, and more — you can even buy lavender salt, sugar, honey, and coffee. If you're visiting in the summer, don't miss the Lavender Festival in July, where you can make a wreath with the flowers, sip lavender lemonade, indulge in baked goods, and dance to live music.

Lompoc's festival season blooms in the summer. Every June, the community comes together to celebrate the city's flowers with a show-stopping parade. The Lompoc Valley Flower Festival and Parade is a multi-day affair of carnival rides, marching bands, floral floats, and enchanting fragrances filling the air. Make sure to try some of the offerings from food stalls, buy a couple of souvenirs from vendors, and enjoy the live music. For a more low-key experience in nature, find peace and serenity at the 24,000-acre Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve where you'll be surrounded by towering oak trees, pine forests, and coastal scrub.

In vino veritas, and if there's one thing true about Lompoc, it's that the wine scene is world-class. You can visit a new winery or tasting room every day of your vacation and barely even scratch the surface. Many people will recommend starting with Longoria Winery and Tasting Room. Who wouldn't want to sip a glass of Matinee Rosé with a peach and burrata salad? Pair that with a round of cornhole on a sunny afternoon and you'll be feeling happier than ever. Longoria's Lovely Rita Pinot Noir is a rich and zesty choice, but the best bottle just might be the Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard. Fiddlehead Cellars is another great spot to enjoy a glass. Try the "Hunnysuckle" Sauvignon Blanc, "Bebble" Reserve Grüner Veltliner, or "Pink Fiddle" Rosé of Pinot Noir for a different kind of flavor.

Red wine lovers can pick their favorite at Turiya Wines. What makes this winery so special is that the owner, Angela Soleno, is committed to producing high-quality wine in small batches. As a result, you get an exclusive and elegant bottle with Soleno's special touch, best savored on a special occasion. Another top-rated winery in Lompoc is Zotovich Vineyards Tasting Room, known for its Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Grenache grape varieties. Sample handcrafted Italian sips like Zinfandel and Merlot at Dark Water Winery, and indulge in an all-Syrah tasting experience at Montemar Winery.

Between the velvety aftertastes of wine and the ever-present pleasure of flowers, Lompoc can effortlessly charm visitors and get them to stay longer than intended. While there are plenty of cities to sip wine and see iconic wildflowers in California, Lompoc does it best.