La Purísima Mission State Historic Park in Lompoc is one of the most fascinating and immersive…read moredestinations you can visit. It is the most fully restored of all 21 California missions. Established as the 11th mission in the chain, it is by far one of my top favorites, probably second to Santa Barbara, really! It's absolutely beautiful, as you will soon read. It was actually destroyed by an earthquake in 1812 and was rebuilt at its current location. Today, you can explore over 20 reconstructed buildings, including the church, workshops, living quarters, and blacksmith shop, that reflect the daily life of both the people who lived and worked here. The park is open almost every day from 9 AM to 5 PM, and it's perfect for both self-guided and docent-led tours. The Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM and provides helpful information and exhibits to get you started. I highly recommend a docent-led tour, the docents are so incredibly knowledgeable, and there's so much to learn about this historic site. On Demonstration Days, which take place several times a year, the mission hosts hands-on living history events, including blacksmithing, weaving, and candle-making. I look forward to visiting during Demonstration Days. I seriously can't wait to get back here. The grounds are large, rural, and so peaceful. There's a nearly three-mile trail loop. Parking is $6 per vehicle and $5 for seniors. I saw several dogs, but it does get very hot, and they are only allowed on the designated trails, not in the buildings, for obvious reasons. There are tons of animals, too. There were horses, steers, chickens, and more. Do not miss La Tienda, the mission's gift shop, where you can pick up local crafts, mission-themed books, and souvenirs. The local crafts are beautiful. I highly recommend this site for a half- or full-day visit! Make sure to set aside enough time for this beautiful gem. The drive alone is so beautiful and serene.

I came to this park to do some hiking and there are many trails. I would be careful because I am…read morepretty sure I heard rattle snacks in the distance though the trail path is very large you probably won't find any unless you go off the path. I recommend checking out the visitor center before doing the trails because you can get good information as well as all the different trails in the given map. Parking - I paid $6 to park on their private lot. The money goes to help them maintain the state park but if you don't want to pay I saw many people parking right outside on the street across and walking down.

The park has really cleaned up in the past few years. We camped a total of 6 weeks in the past few…read moremonths, and our campsite was AWESOME!! (Site #8 which had trees and grass, plus bunnies and tons of birds) the park is pretty big, and I walked my dog all over-he loved squirrel and bunny watching!! The pond is really nice, and another spot to bird watch. Even on the weekends it was not very crazy. The first campground (which is where we are at both times) was seriously so quiet and peaceful. There were lots of long term campers here for local work-they are so nice and keep their space very clean!! The rangers are also friendly and very helpful. I have to mention that there is construction across the river...you do hear heavy machinery but it's not overwhelming and after a couple days it's not really noticeable. Overall it is an AWESOME deal for full hookups at 200/week plus 10/day for my car

Had my son's third birthday party here, good outdoor area to have a party. Lots of space. Bring…read morepellets to feed ducks.

Spending two days out here has been a breathtaking experience. One thing I noticed was there were…read moremore tents up with people camping versus RVs. The boat rentals were ridiculous for the day. They were booked up by 9:30 AM, but we had such a wonderful relaxing 2 days. We left with a total of five bass. Everyone at the lake was very nice and talkative. I was able to sit back and get some good reading in while my husband went back to fishing. This will be a return trip with more family members. I absolutely loved that the showers and bathroom were clean every time I went in. Bravo to the employees and the campers.

This place has decent camp grounds. The lake is beautiful but is for fishing and boating, not…read moreswimming or water sports. There is at least one hiking trail that leads here, but no trail around the lake or in the camping areas. There is a boat rental place, a restaurant with burgers and sandwiches, a bait shop, and a boat launch ramp. Costs $10 for the day to get in. The workers are friendly. Nice place to get a meal and enjoy the view or go fishing or rent a boat to go on the lake. Boats a bit run down and selection small. Most people seemed to bring their own. Not sure how the camping experience is but it looked just ok.

This park is a place you must stop by if you are ever in the area and looking to relax or take a…read morenice stroll. It is located right across from the historic mission and has a beautiful rose garden with a variety of flowers.

One of my fav places in town. If we have guests, we always suggest grabbing a blanket and packing…read moresome wine and snacks or food to go and enjoy at sunset at the Rose Garden. The kids love rolling down the hill, climbing on the trees, or wandering the little paths on the side. Plus, you learn all the fantastic rose names when you simply take a walk around the pattern of colors.

We stopped by for my bday last year and it was such a charming experience. It's one I recommend…read moreduring these gorgeous spring months for plant lovers and nature seekers. Despite growing up around here, I somehow never stumbled through these grand entrance gates until recently. This gem of a garden isn't just my butt's savior now on long drives up from LA, but it's a sliver of paradise found--and sanity regained. Just walking around here for 15-20 mins. and you'll feel your blood pressure drop a few notches to a pleasant state of calm. You can explore the themed areas, take in the vegetation around you, and get landscaping tips just from strolling around their property. The plant things are grouped in various climate/hemispheres and it's nice to see them taking root and being incorporated in a seamless design (and it's nice shopping experience too). I was impressed with the selection and bought a few small air plants and succulents that are still thriving with offshoots. Prices are reasonable. For pros looking for inspo, I think this place that can offer Interior Designers & Landscapers creativity with plants. Or even the DIY Weekend Warrior looking to revamp their current landscaping or add a little something new to it. They have a wide variety of exotics, California natives to indigenous to Australia, and every other tree, shrub, and greenery in between. Since it's the year of the (hobby) horse, I'll be sure to get my butt up here more often in 2026.

As a store there's all sorts of different plants and gardening items that you'd need. I like to…read morestop by solely for the botanical gardens in back. It's a nice small excursion if traveling to LA. What a wonderful concept to put a botanical garden on the property, it could show what you could do with the plants that they sold. It's tranquil to walk around and explore yet it is right next to the 101 so the freeway was loud. They really packed a lot of diversity into this small area. There were plaques for each different garden. Plaques I noticed (though there might be more) were South African Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Grassland, Cottage Garden, Native Garden, Succulent Garden, Central/South American garden, Australian garden, and Asian garden. My favorite was the Asian garden because it had a pond with koi fish.

I really love camping here. I was getting ready to rebook for a family camp out when I noticed…read moreanother review. Review stated that the water supply is contaminated by an upstream mining operation and that the fish from the reservoir were inedible.. That was very disappointing to hear. I would love to give this place for five stars because it is beautiful and we had an excellent time there, but because of the possibility of contaminated fish, I cannot do so in good conscious

I had 10 wonderful days of camping here with great neighbors who respected quiet hours…read more Unfortunately, a new couple moved in and their dog barked nonstop all night -- from 11 PM until 5 AM. Quiet hours are clearly stated as 10 PM to 7 AM ,and we all signed a contract agreeing to that. I contacted the park office, only to later be told I should have called the sheriff instead. The ranger did absolutely nothing during the night. This morning the ranger spoke to my neighbor and then came to tell me that I could move -- even though I followed all the rules. The noisy neighbors were allowed to stay. If I wanted peace and quiet, apparently I was the one expected to relocate. When I asked the neighbor why he couldn't control his dog, he said, "What do you want me to do, tape its mouth shut?" That says everything about the kind of pet owner he is. It's unbelievable to punish someone who's been here peacefully for 10 days while allowing a dog to bark all night and disturb the entire campground. If you stay here, bring earplugs -- because management won't help. I'm giving two stars only because I enjoyed my stay before the neighbors from hell showed up.

This is a perfect park for families. I like that all the features are close to one another so it is…read moreeasier to keep eyes on multiple kids. Accessible courts for pickle ball including a multi-tiered basketball hoop which I've never seen. The playground looks new and is adjacent to a skatepark that's for kids 12 and under (for skating and skateboard only but there are plenty of littles who ride their bikes). Lots of shade with tables. A walking and bike path. What a cool find! We did come early on a Sunday morning - 945am - because I read that parking can be difficult. There were 2 spots left in the lot and street parking, because it is shared with apartments, was non existent.

This a small very clean park with brand new equipment. They are still building the other parts of…read morethe park. Looks like there are multiple basketball options, ping pong table, skate park, tennis court, handball court, and splash pad area. Restroom nearby

This is the "Fountain of Youth " - I love Avila Hot Springs! I went 3 times while on vacation…read morestaying in Pismo Beach. It warmed my bones and muscles to the core... and then take a dip in the refreshing Olympic-sized pool....the experience was incredible!

Cons: Having been coming for years. Super disappointed this time. We visited in September just…read moreafter the summer crowds...or so we thought. Avila Hot Springs seems run down now. Lots of people, with large extended families, living on site now. Gross. Just gross. The hot springs tub area was really dirty. Lots of full time residents living there using the facilities. Water was nice and hot just murky with hair, skin and who knows what floating around. Couldn't wait to shower off. I looked everywhere for the women's showers after my soak- no luck. The only showers I found were "For Disabled Only" so I kept looking and eventually asked at the front desk. They gave me a key to use the "For Disabled Only" ADA showers cause that's all they had for women. We camped overnight in our van $60. Camp toilets were porta potties. We didn't go back in the hot springs next day because they were soooo gross & dirty. Bummer, cause the place used to be better. Never fancy, but it was clean and a great place to soak in authentic hot sulfur-stinky spring water. Now it's just gross & very dirty. It's a heck no. Hard pass for me!!! Pros: Location of Avila Hot Springs is close to Avila Beach, Shell Beach, Pismo, San Luis Bay etc. Great Central Coast location. Girl at front desk was nice.