Lompoc, a few more questions please. (Santa Barbara, Vandenberg AFB: hoa, job, motorhome)

[Merrione 1]

Hello!

I am looking into moving to Lompoc. May have a job but will be flying out for an interview next week. I looked at the past posts and got some good info. I love the ocean, miss it and cannot wait to be able to listen to the surf and walk on the beach. My main question is, I have dogs and would love to hear the very best places to go to let them run. Remote is better!

I looked at the info on dog parks, beaches and off leash info. But those of you who love to hike or walk with your dogs know what I mean. So if anyone has any personal info to add I would really love to hear it. Also any other great local info.

Thanks!!

Merri

[CA central coast]

Jalama Beach County Park, Santa Barbara County, California

[wendyjo]

If you like to hike mountains try Gaviota Peak. Hwy 1 at the exit for Vandenberg AFB. Dogs will love it but you will need tick protection.
Many beaches are closed to dogs including Surf Beach. There is a dog beach in Avila but it's not that nice. If you are driving the 101 to Santa Barbara and park where the surfers park on the road you can let your pups run in there. Most people don't mind and there are no rangers.
If you have base access they have miles and miles of trails. I used to take my dog on 1 -2 hour walks in there all the time and could let her off leash unless I saw someone - and that was rare.

[Get out of my way]

Originally Posted by Merrione 1

Hello!

I am looking into moving to Lompoc. May have a job but will be flying out for an interview next week. I looked at the past posts and got some good info. I love the ocean, miss it and cannot wait to be able to listen to the surf and walk on the beach. My main question is, I have dogs and would love to hear the very best places to go to let them run. Remote is better!

I looked at the info on dog parks, beaches and off leash info. But those of you who love to hike or walk with your dogs know what I mean. So if anyone has any personal info to add I would really love to hear it. Also any other great local info.

Thanks!!

Merri

Make sure you actually visit Lompoc while you're out here. It has its good points, but it definitely looks better on the map than it does in real life. No dogs allowd on the local beaches and they're closed half the year anyway to protect an endangered bird species. They, and Vandenberg AFB, are federal property, and where there's federal property, there are security guards with M-16s watching you. There're lots of pit bulls here, too. Born and bred to kill. Gives me the creeps.

[GregJ]

Good luck on your interview. You'll find California's Central Coast to be an amazing place. The coastlines of SB/SLO Counties, the undeveloped rural inland valleys and the cities like SLO, SB, and Solvang/Santa Ynez are places you won't find duplicated anywhere else. There is a running controversy on city-data about gangs on the Central Coast. They are concentrated for the most part in a few places and neighborhoods you probably wouldn't want to live any anyway and are hardly reflective of the entire area.

As for Lompoc, it's a city with an older (and unfortunately very neglected core and newer, growing suburbs to the north and west sides. Friendliest people you'll find anyplace. Lots going on there in terms of future development because of VAFB and it's future looks pretty good. As far as housing, take a good look at the north end, up in Vandenberg Village, Mesa Oaks and you'll find someplace that will suit you.

[Edaducha]

I think Lompoc is just awful. The cops there are a joke. They tell you it will take them three days to come out when you call them for anything. The clerks in City Hall are rude and they lie. There are front yards full of junk cars, trucks and boats. There are motorhomes that have been sitting in one spot on the street for fifteen or more years without moving and they don't run and the cops do nothing. There are hundreds of vehicles with no front license plate and the law requires them but the cops do nothing. There are basketball hoops out in the street and adults and kids playing basketball in the street obstructing traffic. They ride their bikes and skateboards and scooters all over the sidewalks and almost run into you and you can't even walk down the sidewalk and they are in front of every store and restaurant, too, and also smokers are everywhere, in front of all the stores and restaurants and you can't even breathe, and you can't enjoy your property cuz they smoke next door and you can't even go outside, you are forced back inside from the stink of the cigarette smoke. So why pay taxes on property you can't even enjoy? They are rude in Social Services, too. And the firemen are mean and only pick on certain people and tell them they can't have a device for burning in their yard and yet they let thousands of others in town use theirs. There are vehicles that park on the wrong side of the road and in red fire zones and nothing gets done about it. There is definitely gangstalking going on there. If I could move, I would.

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by wendyjo

Many beaches are closed to dogs including Surf Beach.

I was going to point out this exact point. Snowy Plover recovery efforts mean "no dogs" on many beaches as the dogs dig up and destroy the nests.

[Greenchili]

Ive lived here 7 yrs. Its an ok place. I love that we dont need AC or
lots of heat in the "winter". Sure its got problems and its not perfect,
I think some have just made up their minds to dislike it and you
will never change their minds. I find most are friendly here,and true,
there are alot of section 8 places around. We just bought a new home
in a neighborhood with HOA, so we wont have to have cars on yards,
bright blue houses,etc etc. There is a way to make it work here in
Lompoc! That said, I feel we wont permanently retire here, we
are thinking New Mexico. But for now, Lompoc is ok with us.


Greenchili