The Central Coast Offers a Variety of Attractions. An often-overlooked asset of the Central Coast is Vandenberg Air Force Base. Uniquely situated on the furthermost western coast of the United States, Vandenberg AFB is the only 48-state contiguous installation allowing a rocket to launch in a southerly direction and not pass over a populated area. Satellites requiring a polar orbit are launched on a regular basis from Vandenberg.
Vandenberg AFB launches military and NASA satellites, but a growing number of commercial ventures are also keeping the launch crews busy at this bustling spaceport.
Interested visitors may take a guided tour of Vandenberg on a reservation-only basis. Tours are conducted every Wednesday at 10 AM. Contact the base Public Affairs office at 805-606-3595.
A very informative web page is operated by the 30th Space Wing of Vandenberg AFB. Visit their web site to learn more..including upcoming scheduled launch dates.

The Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce maintains another informative web site worthy of perusing. Offering information on upcoming special events, places to stay and various attractions around the Santa Maria Valley, a visit to the Chamber's website can be very helpful.

The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve is a great way to spend an afternoon or morning of exploration. Oso-Flaco lake is a beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by sand dunes ripe with native plant species and fauna. Over 200 species of birds are native to or migrate through the dunes preserve. (See our Day Trip Blog page for news about our recent visit to Oso Flaco.) To the south, Guadalupe beach offers another gateway to the expansive dunes complex. This area of our coastline is one of the very last undeveloped pieces of our public coastal lands. There are miles and miles of beautiful trails waiting to be explored. Currently managed by the Nature Conservancy for the State Parks System, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve is the product of several hard-working, ambitious, and generous individuals. A perfect stop prior to visiting the dunes complex is at the Dunes Center Visitor Center in Guadalupe. Open Friday thru Sunday afternoons, the Dunes Center is a non-profit institution offering exhibits and information on the flora, fauna, cultural history, geography and geology of the dunes and surrounding areas. Take a look at the Dunes Center website for more info.