Things to Do in Lompoc, California
About Carmen
Hi, I'm Carmen. I'm a travel influencer & blogging coach who shares my experiences with my readers & anyone browsing for trip ideas (hey, that's you!). I visited the city of Lompoc, California on a press trip with a handful of journalists, magazine editors, & writers to experience a piece of what Explore Lompoc has to offer. "What is a press trip/familiarization tour?" you ask. I explain it in this post.How Do You Pronounce Lompoc?
Make sure you pronounce Lompoc properly or you might get corrected by a long-time resident. Say it with me now: LOM-poke. "Poke" as in "Did you just poke me?" Lom-poke. Lom-poke. Lom-poke. Say it 10 times without looking at the word & it helps.Woodfired pizza from Valle Eatery + Bar |
Where is Lompoc, CA?
Several people sent me messages & comments asking where is Lompoc, California? I pondered that too until I drove my butt there. The city of Lompoc is located in Santa Barbara County. It's 60 miles south of San Luis Obispo, 55 miles north of Santa Barbara, & 155 miles north of Los Angeles. Lompoc is fresh & fun but not ridiculously out of the way. There are local events in town as well.Where to Stay in Lompoc, CA?
Here's a map:
Booking.com
What to Do in Lompoc? There are a plethora of things to do in Lompoc, California, especially if you're traveling as a couple, with friends, family, children, or solo.
T-Rex Mural in Lompoc |
Top Attractions and Things to Do in Lompoc
Walking Mural Tour in Downtown Lompoc
La Purisima Mission State Historic Park
Founded in 1787, the beautifully restored La Purisima Mission shares a glimpse into the past. You can choose guided tours of the buildings & grounds or venture off on your own. Walk through the tranquil mission gardens. Hike La Purisima Mission State Historic Park's 25 miles of trails. Grab a souvenir or hand-crafted item from the Gift Shop. I bought a stunning pink & green shell necklace. La Purisima Mission in the city of Lompoc, CA even has living history events such as a grape harvest, tortilla making, candle making, rope making, basket weaving, & other cool things to do with the family.My Skydiving Experience at Skydive Santa Barbara Check out the Skydiver's Handbook |
Go Skydiving at Skydive Santa Barbara
It felt frigid in the tiny airplane on the ride up. I start to shiver. The engine buzzed louder than my thoughts. The first tandem skydivers open the airplane door, scoot to the edge of the plane, lean out, & then vanish like a puff of air. Now it's our turn - my badass female tandem skydiver who has done 8,000+ jumps - we inch our butts to the edge of the airplane & into the abyss. I brace myself, tilt forward, & oh shittttt we’re outtttttttt of the planeeeeeeeee. Magical. Positively magical. As far as exciting things to do in Lompoc, California, I highly recommend skydiving at Skydive Santa Barbara!Where to Eat in Lompoc, CA
Lots of local eats in town! Sissy's Uptown Cafe, a family-owned business, is the hot-spot in town for pie. The coconut cream pie came so highly recommended but alas, it was sold out by the time we arrived. In fact, they were sold out of almost all their pies. Sissy's pie notoriety might literally leave you wanting more. Hangry & need a quick & casual food in Lompoc? Burrito, pizza, sushi, oh my. Plenty of options to order, grab, & go. If you want to sit down to eat, try one of Lompoc's full-service restaurants. I ate pad Thai at Herb Home Thai Restaurant, sampled desserts & woodfired pizza from Valle Eatery + Bar inside the Hilton Garden Inn. Search online ahead of time to find something to suit your taste buds.Blue nail polish: OPI (similar) // Hair tie ribbons: Kenz Laurenz (similar) Wine from Dierberg Vineyard |
Wine Tasting in Lompoc, California
Support local. Choose from 40 wineries and vineyards on Lompoc's wine trail, from Arcadian Winery to Zotovich Vineyards. The rolling hills & sprawling land make for some pretty scrumptious wine & stunning views. Check out the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, a cluster of local wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms in Santa Rita Hills, if you want easy access to multiple wineries. Enjoy an afternoon of Lompoc wine tasting. The media crew first met at Dierberg Vineyard for a press trip wine tasting. Visit Lompoc and try a couple different tasting rooms. Browse their websites to see when they open and what their hours are.Airbnb
There are several cheap hotels in Lompoc, CA & affordable options but you can also search for Airbnbs. You can find something close to or in the center. Sign up for Airbnb with my link & get $40 off your booking. That could be a free night somewhere. I loved my Airbnb in Oslo, Norway, affordable & chic. I made coffee every morning. Ahh, I'm thankful for Airbnb memories. But I loved my Embassy Suites by Hilton Lompoc – Central Coast experience too!The City of Lompoc |
If you haven't paid a visit to the city of Lompoc, integrate it into your upcoming travel plans. This buzzing town won't stay unknown for long. Soon people won't ask "where is Lompoc?" they'll say "I had no clue there were so many things to do in Lompoc, California."
Content and Blog Post Ideas
Sometimes you feel stuck or overwhelmed with how much you need to do. You ask yourself: "How can get there? How can I get unstuck when I feel stuck?"
Take 30 minutes to go through this exercise & by the end of it, you'll identify some creative blog topics you can start writing immediately. As a social media / blog coach, I go over this topic a lot with my clients. Let's get those blogging content inspiration juices flowing. Are you ready? My clients have successful blogs, brands, & social media channels.
Read my yearly freelancing anniversary updates from Years 1, 2, & 3!
Step 1. Ask yourself: What excites & inspires me?
1. Food
2. Travel
3. Nature
4. Craft beer
5. Netflix
6. Friends
7. Hot sauce
8. Blogging
9. Photography
10. Dogs
11. Poetry
12. Journaling
13. Writing
14. Reading magazines
15. Learning
16. Earl Grey tea
17. Thrift shopping
18. Kombucha
19. Farmers markets
20. Meditating
Step 2. Expand!
1. Food ---> Vegetarian food. Persian food. Trying food from different cultures. Dark chocolate. Pickle chips.
2. Travel ---> Seeing new places. Learning about other cultures. Trying new food! Challenging myself (like that time I spent the night on a couch at London Gatwick Airport).
3. Nature ---> Botanical gardens. Nature walks. State parks or nature reserves. Seeing animals like butterflies, birds, rabbits, deer. Finding peace outside.
4. Craft beer ---> San Diego craft beer breweries. Happy hour craft beer. Hazy IPAs. Tijuana tasting rooms
Step 3. Circle the words or phrases that you're especially interested in
Take a look at your list & circle words or phrases you're especially interested in. What calls to you? What are you truly inspired by? As a human being, what are your current interests? This exercise is an excellent way to get to know yourself (again) & find blogging inspiration content ideas.
Step 4. Ask yourself: How can I incorporate these topics on my blog? How can I incorporate these things into my daily life or even my work?
1. Persian food.
How can I incorporate this topic on my creative blog? --->
- Write about my childhood & growing up Persian
- Experiment with classic Persian Iranian recipes
- Storytell about the Persian parts of my life: evening Farsi classes, celebrating Nowruz
- Talk about the joys of rose water
How can I incorporate this topic into my daily life or even my work? --->
- Eat at local Persian restaurants in the San Diego area.
- Buy an Iranian cookbook to try new-to-me recipes.
- Practice Farsi on DuoLingo
- Check out a book on Persian poetry from the library
Complete this exercise in its entirety & you'll find blogging inspiration to give you creative blog topics & blog ideas for months to come. Never forget that success is a series of small wins, sometimes it's almost unnoticeable. Use your time wisely; read time management tips for bloggers for my best tips. As a blog coach, my clients with successful blogs ask for inspiration tips quite often.
Things to Do in Encinitas, California: Don't Miss This North County San Diego Gem
Things to Do in Encinitas CA - North County, San Diego
Whether you like coffee drinks or walks by the beach, there are plenty of things to do in Encinitas, California. Read this guide for Encinitas points of interest whether you're a North County San Diego local or an out-of-town visitor!
Hanging out at the Moonlight Beach overlook with a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean |
Head to Encinitas Beaches
Encinitas is a beachside town with miles of trails, there are a lot of beaches in this part of North County San Diego! Moonlight State Beach is one of my favorite places to relax, it even has a snack bar. Play volleyball with your friends or dip your toes in the water. Moonlight Beach is beautiful & I've seen some of the best sunsets of my life there. Want other beach options? Check out Cardiff State Beach, San Elijo State Beach, or Swami's State Beach. Again, heaps of beaches & best things to do in Encinitas. Moonlight Beach is a personal favorite of mine, snack bar is cool, but bathrooms can get messy. You can surf or just stare at the ocean! You'll find one of the best views in Encinitas!What is Encinitas famous for? How much does it cost to live in Encinitas?
Go Downtown
Grab a cup of coffee
In awe of the view from the Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Temple |
Spend Time in a Garden
The Self-Realization Fellowship Encinitas Temple is one of my favorite spots in North County San Diego because it has some remarkable views. Relax in the peaceful Self Realization Fellowship meditation gardens. Stare at the majestic koi swimming in their ponds. Look out at the vast Pacific Ocean. It's free to enter but donations are welcome. If you want to spend some time in nature with over 4,000 types of plants, visit the San Diego Botanic Garden. The Self Realization Fellowship meditation gardens are certainly worth a visit if you're in Encinitas CA, Southern California!Support Local & Buy Souvenirs
Stroll Downtown Encinitas Main Street for all the cool retail stores & businesses. Caravan West is a bohemian paradise with baskets, blankets, books, & more. Check out Moon Shadow Boutique for bohemian fashion & vintage home accessories. Crystals, hair salons, home decor, kids boutiques, men's clothing, stationery, swimwear, women's clothing, there are local Encinitas, Southern California options for any gift or souvenir need. Downtown Encinitas has a lot of spunky shops!A coffee & giant muffin from Pannikin Coffee & Tea is one of my favorite things to do in Encinitas |
Drive Historic Highway 101
Spend the day along Highway 101 driving along the beach. Go on a drive after spending time at the San Diego Botanic Garden or at the meditation gardens. Drive North County. U.S. Highway 101 runs through the states of California, Oregon, & Washington. Highway 101 is the longest highway in California. Drive down a piece of history in Encinitas. Downtown Encinitas Main Street is conveniently located on Highway 101; park your car then shop some of the local boutiques & stores.Eat Delicious Food at Encinitas Restaurants
Spend a day at the beach savoring the waves then head to a place to eat. Get a burrito or tacos or anything - you're in a beach city after all. Surf by day then visit a taco shop for a great meal. Go to the nature center or Coast Hwy 101 Encinitas.Drink Craft Beer at Encinitas Breweries
San Diego County has over 150+ breweries; it's one of the best place to find beer, so it's no surprise that the city of Encinitas has a few craft beer options. Saint Archer Brewing Co. has happy hour from 4-6 pm Monday through Friday - get $2 off a pint. Enjoy plant-based food & a full food menu (in addition to a full craft beer list, obviously). Sip on Thorn Brewing Co. at Home & Away Encinitas. Modern Times Far West Lounge. Culture Brewing Co. always features artists on their walls, so they're kind of like an art gallery with beer. North County has dozens of beer options.How About Cocktails?
Sip on a sexy cocktail at any number of cool Downtown Encinitas CA spots. In addition to a full food & craft beer menu, Bread & Barley has a number of signature cocktails (like the Leucadia Sunrise made with vodka, lemon, lavender, elderflower, cucumber), brunch cocktails, & classics. The Roxy is another classic go-to on Encinitas Main Street. Home & Away Encinitas has some tasty cocktails. Solterra Winery and Kitchen for wine!Prosource Acupressure Mat and Pillow: Do Acupressure Mats Actually Work?
This magical invention is called an acupressure mat & acupressure pillow. The acupressure mat and pillow set only cost $20. It's spectacular! You can buy it from Amazon & you totally need a mat in your life. Keep reading to find out all about what it does, how to use it, & where to buy one. I bought the ProSource acupressure mat.
What Does an Acupressure Mat Do? Do acupressure mats really work?
Choose a surface to put it on, whether it's the floor or your chair, couch, against the wall. The harder the surface, the more pressure you'll feel. Acupressure mats are basically a bed of nails. At its core, an acupressure mat is a self-applied acupuncture device. You can lay on it, roll on it, sit on it, stand on it, stretch on it. The spiky bits on the mat hit your acupressure points to assist in any back or neck and shoulders pain. You can use it for your feet, legs, arms, & various areas of the body. You use your own weight of your body to heal your body. I've been using the acupressure mat and pillow for over a year, so I developed an understanding of how to use the spike mat & how it benefits me. I use it frequently, especially when my back acts up. Acupressure mats are pretty cool.What are the acupressure mat benefits? Do acupressure mats actually work?
Do acupressure mats do anything? I roll out my spike mat, lie down on it, then roll gently side to side to help release tension in my upper back pain. Essentially, you relax on this “bed of needles” to massage various pressure points on your body. The little spikes can potentially help you self-massage, relieve stress, tension, or pain. It might even help you fall asleep.It helps relieve pain in my right shoulder blade from an injury I got in college. It relaxes my muscles in a way nothing else has (other than the equipment my physical therapist used during my semester of rehabilitation. The acupressure mat & pillow set turned out to be one of my favorite Amazon purchases of all time. So worth it. Use it again & again for only $19.99. Worth it for lower back pain. Don't forget that this also comes with an acupressure neck pillow, not only the mat. Your neck could get some relief also.
How long should you lay on acupressure mat?
You can place them out on the floor, on the chair, against a wall. You can use it every day or you may never use it if you keep it hidden away in your garage or closet. Minutes are up to you. On average, I use my mat once per week but you could easily utilize it more frequently, if not every day. You can do 10 Minutes or lay on it for 30 minutes.Using It For Your Feet: How do you acupressure your feet?
ProSource Acupressure Mat
When my shoulder acts out, I use the acupressure mat because of its benefits relieve some tension. I messed up my shoulder in college & had to do physical therapy for a semester to curb the pain. It truly makes the area feel better, relaxed, relieved. Buy an acupressure mat & pillow set only $19.99, available on Amazon. Grab one for a friend; it makes a great gift!! It may be plastic but it is effective. Your health is important.
What is a Blog Coach & Consultant? What is a Blogging Coach?
Blogging is hard. Whether you're trying to figure out how to make money, how to build an email list, how to create blog topics, or simply take your blog to the next level, it is a difficult road.
My Blogging Journey
I have been blogging since 2011. I've had so many failures along the way, but I also have plenty of successes. I've worked with brands, gone on press trips, written high-ranking blog posts. I started coaching sessions when some of my friends asked about blogging & I needed to dedicate some one-on-one time with them. Since then, I've worked with over 100 bloggers and people looking to start a blog or web presence.
Need blogging help? I'm here to help bloggers make strides & improvements to their blog. I've been a blogger coach since 2017. I also work with clients for social media services. Bloggers don't have to struggle. I spent many years unable to monetize my blog & yet there so many ways to be making money as a blogger. There are many blogging coaches out there & I guarantee you'll find someone who fits exactly what you're looking for. If you made it to my page maybe you're interested in working with me.
Read my yearly freelancing anniversary updates from Years 1, 2, & 3!
A blog consultant & blog coach offers feedback, guidance, & direction.
A blog coach helps you prioritize your business & blog goals.
A blog coach helps you find your blog voice & establish your social media presence.
A blog business coach challenges you.
With time & effort, a blog coach can get you results that matter (page views, event invites, income, etc!)
How much is a blogging coach?
This ultimately depends if you're looking for a one-time coaching session, coaching sessions with regularity, or are looking for a longer-term commitment. All clients should develop a money budget for a 30-day period one month period. Is it $200 dollars? Is it $500? Is it $1,000? This budget determines the amount of time I can dedicate to coaching while staying within your budget. I do accept smaller budgets but it would likely only be a 30-minute session or a 60-minute session as opposed to consistent help for the month. If someone comes to me & is serious about getting help, I try to do what I can no matter the budget. Bloggers deserve help!
Fresh Eucalyptus Leaves: How Long Does Eucalyptus Last in the Shower? Where to Buy?
Eucalyptus in Shower
Hang Eucalyptus in Your Shower
Where to Buy Eucalyptus Plant
You can get Dried Real Eucalyptus Branches 12 Stems, Natural Eucalyptus Plant Leaves for Arrangement Wedding Home Decor on Amazon.
Where Can I Buy Eucalyptus Leaves?
How to keep eucalyptus fresh?
Care Tip: Shake off the leaves after every shower to avoid gnats or rotting. Preserve eucalyptus stems with this tip. The green fresh eucalyptus bunch leaves can be flat & hold a lot of water. Get the most from your leaves. Shake it, shake it, shake it like a Polaroid picture! Hey yaaa! After you turn off the water, shake as much water from the hanging leaves as you can. Get as much off as possible. Then you're ready to go. The eucalyptus leaf keeps the water if you don't shake it off & it takes hours to dry (if it dries at all).How Long Do Eucalyptus Leaves Last in the Shower?
How long does fresh eucalyptus last in the shower? Well, how frequently do you use it? Is your family of 6 using one shower 8 times per day? If that's the case, it's better to count the number of uses the leaves got, rather than the days. It ultimately depends how frequently you shower & how you care for the bundle of leaves. If the eucalyptus shower gets used multiple times a day, it may last two to three weeks or so. We had our hanging eucalyptus branches for two to three weeks, went on a 3-week trip, & came back to the most fragrant, fantastic scent of eucalyptus wafting through the bathroom. We used it for one more week before heading to the farmers market for a new bundle. If you use your shower a lot, the leaves won't last as long in terms of days. Buy fresh dried eucalyptus leaves on Amazon.Can I Use Eucalyptus Oil Instead?
Of course! You may use whatever you have on hand. I dabbled with oil eucalyptus for several years. It all started in 2014 with my very first bottle of eucalyptus essential oil. I prefer the fresh leaves because the scent is much more potent than the essential oils. But the eucalyptus essential oil is convenient & travel-friendly since you may take a small bottle with you wherever you go. Click here for my favorite eucalyptus essential oil (*affiliate link). Eucalyptus oil still has benefits too! You can also buy real eucalyptus leaves on Amazon. The oil of eucalyptus is a good alternative if you can't find the fresh version. It's important to be careful when applying eucalyptus oil to your skin.What Does Eucalyptus Leaves Smell Like?
What Can You Do With Fresh Eucalyptus Leaves?
You might ask yourself, so...what're the eucalyptus bunch benefits? What are the common uses? Can it be used on a daily basis? It smells fantastic. It's a natural room perfume aromatherapy. But in addition to that, it may help clear your sinuses, nasal congestion or a stuffy nose. Just inhale the eucalyptus steam as you shower. You may want to add it to your routine. It might be worth it rather than have to get some similar product from the pharmacy.
So yes, while fresh eucalyptus oil from the leaves and steam is the best option you may use essential oils, hanging dried leaves, or whatever you want to start with. Some people have different preferences.
It's Pretty
Do you use eucalyptus leaves or oils eucalyptus in the shower? If you prefer the oil, how do you like to use it? Leave a comment! Tell me about your experience. Feel free to ask a question! What are some of the eucalyptus benefits you've found? Any other ways it can be used? Add a luxurious touch of natural aromatherapy to your next shower.
About Me
Pin this image on Pinterest. Your guide to hanging eucalyptus stems in the shower. |