Ocean Beach Park(Vandenberg Air Force Base)

Located in the city of Lompoc, Ocean Beach Park has a half-mile long and wide beach that is a part of Ocean Beach County Park and the Vandenberg State Marine Reserve in the small town of Vandenberg.  Ocean Beach Park is backed by dunes and is situated at the mouth of the Santa Ynez River.  Ocean Beach Park is a perfect birdwatching destination between October and February as there is a wide lagoon behind the beach.

Ocean Beach Park welcomes dogs on leash and offers many amenities including restrooms, picnic tables, barbecues, dunes, and a train trestle. 

There are a couple of fun activities at Ocean Beach Park including birdwatching and beachcombing. Swimming and surfing are not recommended here because the beach has been the setting for two recent shark attacks. Please note that Ocean Beach Park is closed from March to September to protect nesting spots for the Snowy Plover.

Getting to Ocean Beach Park is very easy – after you get off of Highway 1, drive down to 6851 Ocean Park Road to get to the beach’s free parking area. After parking, you will need to walk a few minutes west on a trail below the train trestle that leads directly to the beach.

If you are looking for attractions near Ocean Beach Park, you can drive 55 minutes to Santa Barbara Zoo that has been ranked among the best small zoos in the US many times and features a Zoo Train, pair of old locomotives – and is home to many animals and birds including giraffes, gorillas, African lions, foxes, vultures, and Humboldt penguins. If you like hiking, Lake Los Carneros has many trails and is a great spot to watch birds, coyotes, and bobcats. Rancho La Patera & Stow House displays historic photographs and furniture related to the nearby area. Another great attraction near Ocean Beach Park is Stearns Wharf, a fun tourist attraction site that offers souvenir shops, restaurants, and a small aquarium named the Sea Center.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants within a 30-minute drive of Ocean Beach Park. The Club & Guest House At UC Santa Barbara is an upscale waterfront fine dining restaurant that serves appetizers, salads, entrees, beverages, and desserts. The organic restaurant Room 217 offers chicken sandwiches, cheese bread, wraps, rolls, and fries. Another good restaurant near Ocean Beach Park is Woodstock's Pizza Isla Vista, a pizza restaurant featuring homemade pizza, breadsticks, and chicken wings.

If you are looking for a hotel near Ocean Beach Park, you can drive 40 minutes to many nearby hotels. The 5-Star pet-friendly hotel El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara features an infinity pool, lounge, poolside bar, spa, sauna, restaurant, and fitness center. Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort is a 4-Star pet-friendly hotel that is spread across 24 acres and has many amenities including a pool, bar, spa, café, and three tennis courts. If you are looking for affordable hotels near Ocean Beach Park, the 3-Star Hampton Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta offers a pool and fitness center – and the 2-Star Best Western Plus South Coast Inn has a pool, gym, and ping pong table.