Ocean Beach Park offers lots of picnic spots, trails along the beach and the wetlands, and a lot of information about the local flora and fauna. Thankfully, part of the beach access is closed during Snowy Plover nesting season, so plan ahead. Free admission and parking. read more

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It is a good place to see SpaceX Falcon 9 lanuches during the morning or night! I only seen them from my house in San Diego CA but when I move out in a few years I will go their to see it read more

Local Serendipitous Take: Surprise, there is yet another attraction that kind of complements the trip to Surf Beach, which is Ocean Beach Park. For some reason, the little road that goes there called my name & I turned onto it. Low & behold, at the end of that road is this rather interesting Park, which even has a path under the railroad tracks. While you can have a nice walk on the beach at Surf Beach, during Snowy Plower nesting time you do not have beach access at Ocean Beach during Spring & Summer months....but all the more reason to savor what we have & come again. I am not sure where all the angst is coming from...or the vague pseudo-historical references, which I did try to confirm on Lompoc's Historical website. All they had, was a reference to a failed attempt at a development at a so-called "Aloha Beach", which predated anyone alive, & was more of a get rich scam in the pre-great-depression era, which was more centered at Surf Beach which used to have a grocery & even a post-office at one time. In any case, you have a nice estuary, a decent little playground, restrooms, little boardwalk with a bird observation area & even several BBQ's matched to solid picnic tables. It is more for locals, than for tourists. In fact, if you go out under the train tracks, you will then emerge on the oceanside & have a nice view. While the path to the ocean will be blocked certain months, you can always hike the sand toward Surf Beach parallel to the tracks & then get to the ocean...or simply drive there. Of course, since almost everywhere you look is owned or supervised by the military...it is after all our military & let them keep everyone safe, including the birds. I think according to the Lompoc's historical records, the military gradually accumulated close to 100K acres of land in the area. Most of it is still pristine & off limits to most. Between Ocean Park & Surf Beach, we felt we had a nice visit on the drive here, which is also quite nice for seeing all the wonderful farms. On the way back, I did turn down one of the many farm roads nearby to see if there were any random Farm Stands. Funny enough, we were then flagged down by another visiting car going the other way, who wanted directions to "The Flower Fields". They were a nice couple visiting their family up here for Mother's Day, but all I saw was some Lavender. Later, I looked it up, & indeed, Lompoc recommends that you cruise most of these farm roads in one's search for flower beds...which is kind of amusing. read more

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The ocean is my temple, my church, my catharsis, and my therapy... but I gotta say, I was a little let down by this park. After a relatively long drive out from Lompoc proper, we arrived in a very natural-looking wetlands area. A series of turns places you on a one-lane paved road out to the park. The park itself is little more than a big parking lot with an adjacent playground, and a short boardwalk half covered with a wooden gazebo. The adjacent wetlands are utterly off limits to swimming, kayaking, and probably fishing, although I didn't see NO FISHING signs. The whole mess is in the shadow of an active train trestle, which is funky-rusty and covered in grafitti. Because nothing says "I love nature" like big gang-lettered murals. Willing to look past it, we walked under the trestle to head out to the beach and found... a locked gate with military-level threats about walking onto the beach as being a felony trespassing violation. It seems that at least from March through September, this beach is closed to Snowy Plovers can tend their nests and raise their young. I'm all for that... despite the fact that it looked like the wooden fence there was seriously damaged by people who ignored the sign or were illiterate and couldn't read it. Anyway, this one is a skip for me. Proximity to Vandenburg AFB means a lot of beach access in this area is iffy anyway. If you can find shore access, chances are it is limited and probably desolate. Which are good things... at least half of it. read more

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Located in Lompoc along the Santa Ynez river, Ocean Beach is a county park that's partially closed from March thru September due to the breeding season for the Snowy Plover. It's only the path that's closed at that time; the playground, bathrooms, and picnic areas are open all year. Tip: This is an outstanding place for bird watching! In the months when the path is open, it's approximately a 10-minute walk to the beach and the path is level. The beach is usually deserted, and it's also quite long. Because the surf off the beach is very rough and there have been a number of shark attacks here, swimming is ill-advised. Despite the danger to swimmers, this is great example of a truly beautiful, undeveloped Coast California beach on the Central Coast; it's perfect if you want to enjoy the natural beauty, salt air and solitude. read more

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Foggy and desolate. I was expecting Jason or Mike Meyers to emerge from the bog and fog out here. Quiet and peaceful surroundings but no access to the beach beyond the locked gates. read more

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Cute toodler playground with two slides and the soft rubber mat is a bonus! Bathrooms are close by and clean. The playground is surrounded with a few bench tables to enjoy a snack. We enjoy watching the rabbits and birds (a large variety!). However, if you're coming to enjoy the beach, you might be a bit disappointed. Ocean Beach Park is completely closed to entry from March 1st to September 30th for Snowy Plover nesting season. read more

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I wish this park was open all year around. So pretty. The little play ground and restrooms were really nice and new. The park leads right to the beach. Definitely a nice spot if the weather is nice. Will be back for sure. read more

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first (and foremost): ocean beach park -- "obp" -- is a "wildlife sanctuary", for migratory birds and sea-life, among others... and should be treated, with the proper respect, of "going into someone else's home" -- because, that is exactly what you're doing! (think about it, for a minute: would anyone come into your house, and take your belongings and/or trash your place??? that is exactly what you're doing, every time you take something, from the "marshlands" -- oh, it may "look cool, as a necklace/paperweight", but you are destroying their homes, by doing so! the posted signs speak for themselves: "leave them, where you've found them!") also: people have a tendency to ignore the posted warning signs, here: there's "no swimming, in the river -- as well as no kayaking -- at all ! (recently, a kid took his "inflatable" board, into the water -- intentionally ignoring the warning! i'd find out, afterward, that the water is [currently] contaminated!); and, every single day, people will climb up, onto the train tracks, which run through the area -- intentionally ignoring the "no trespassing" sign! let me make one thing painfully clear: the train tracks belong to union pacific railroad, and are federal property -- climbing onto them is a crime!!! being on them is a crime!!! let's imagine (for one minute), that you're on the tracks -- more than halfway across their "trellis" -- and a train is barreling down, upon you, fast... and, you don't have enough time, to get off of the tracks... so, the train kills you, and an investigation is conducted... and the owners, of the train tracks (u.p.r.r.) decide that the "best way, to prevent this disaster, from ever occurring, again", would be to install a "20-foot fence", that would run the entire length, of the train track, at the park! (there's, also, the "possibility", of all of obp being "closed -- permanently", because of the perceived "incident" -- all because you (the offender) decided to disrespect the place! so, keep this in mind, the next time, that you go out, to ocean beach park: "this is a home -- for wildlife... pay attention, to all warning signs... and, stay off of the train tracks!!! (ocean beach park is sandwiched, between vandenberg air force base -- and is, acutely, aware of everything, that happens, there! they, too, can "shut the park down" -- by simply annexing it!) have a nice day! read more

I found this county park while exploring on my motorcycle. If you ever get the chance to head west out of Lompoc on Hwy 246, make sure you stop here. From the County of Santa Barbara website: Midway along the coast between Point Arguello and Point Sal, the Santa Ynez River reaches its end by emptying its freshwater into the Pacific Ocean. Wind-capped waves crash against the river's current; driftwood scatters along the sandy beach. This wild and remote environment is a county park, Ocean Beach Park. Located 13 miles from the City of Lompoc, Ocean Beach Park's 36 acres is made up of several habitats: salt marsh, freshwater marsh, dunes, coastal strand, and riparian habitat. Plant species indigenous to this saltwater freshwater marsh environment include salicornia, suaeda, distichlis, and frankenia. The endangered Western Snowy Plover and California Least Tern nest at this popular park. During summer weekend days, the park is busy with surf fishers at the ocean shores, birders hiking along the sandy riverbank, and families at the park's picnic and playground facilities. Although remote and wild, Ocean Beach Park has many recreational opportunities for the residents of Lompoc. read more

First thing to know is that from the beginning of March to the end September the beach is cordoned to protect snowy plover. If you venture into the protected area you run the risk of being ticketed by the Air Force. That being said, the park itself has areas for grilling and a nice little playground for kids. I agree with the other reviewers, bring extra layering because the climate could be windy and chilly even in summer. read more

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A rich history basically ruined! Ocean Park had a rich history of camping and recreation for the people of Lompoc for a long time. Records of camping, fishing, hunting, bb'qing, beach combing, swimming (in the lagoon), water skiing. There was a weekly column in the Lompoc Record newspaper about going ons out there at the park. The land was purchased by the County of Santa Barbara from private ownership in 1913. This park and it's recreational uses were enjoyed by visitors as far away as Los Angeles. Then Camp Cook Army Base basically kicked everyone out in 1940, and took over the park as part of the war effort. Cabins were torn down. Recreation was denied. When Vandenberg AFB took it over, recreation was further denied. For the last 10 years the beach/surf has been closed to the public from March to October, to protect the Snowy Plover (bird). There is no trespassing in the lagoon. No fishing, hunting, boating, kayaking, swimming allowed. (But you can go down the coast 5 miles to Jalama to walk among the Snowy Plovers) Now the park contains a parking lot, a restroom, some dilapidated bbq areas in the shadow of the railway tracks, and an estuary viewing platform. It's beautiful out there. Lots of birds. Cold a lot. There's a hiking trail from Beach to Surf. The park opens at 8:30 am closes at about 8:00pm. Sorry, no beach bonfire parties and beer allowed! You get in serious trouble with the military if caught on the beach when it is closed to the public. I read that the Military spends $500,000 a year on keeping tresspassers off the beach. They pay people to watch! Sad that no one really cares about the loss of recreation at that park. It's a shadow of it's former self! (Sources: Lompoc Valley Historical Society) read more

Ocean Beach Park - Ocean Park, Lompoc CA. - Parks Near Me - Lompoc, California

I'm not a geologist but I think "Ocean Beach" is probably a misleading name. Sure, it's near the beach but the park it self isn't on, or facing a beach as you would normally understand the word beach to mean. There was some birds around. The telescopes were free so that was cool. The place seemed pretty deserted. If you drive further to shore and get to "Surf Beach" it is a closed off beach and there is a train station. What's cool is if you look carefully, you can see sharks swimming around in the ocean. That was the highlight of my day in Lompoc. Very interesting to read Keith H.'s review on 6/9/2014 below about the history on this place. read more

Surprising find this ocean park while we were on. Road trip. Simple park that any nature photographer will love . They have birds like egrets and ducks flying there. They offer clean restrooms and amble parking too. There is a gazebo with a telescope so you can see any birds up close. Upon walking you will see a landing posts, old railroad track and sand dunes. Really a hidden find. It is peaceful, simple and serene even. Check it out if you want to get away from noise. read more

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This park recently got a facelift with a new playground for the kids that includes the soft rubbery floors (don't know what it's called), updated restrooms, and some new landscaping. I live on the west side of Lompoc and this is very convenient for us, still about a 10 min drive but worth it. It's peaceful and quiet. Our kids love the playground and seeing the Amtrak occasionally pass by. Access to the beach is typically restricted between March 1st and September 30th (minus the 1 star). You still have a nice view of the Santa Ynez river estuary year round. There are picnic tables and bbq grills but not much shade (we use hats and sunscreen most of the time so that's not an issue for us). Cell phone reception is poor, even with Verizon which is probably the best in the area. When access to the beach is open you are in for a treat, miles of unspoiled beach with few people around. It can get warm but it's usually on the cool and windy side so wear layers so you can adjust according to the temperature. read more