VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- It is a beautiful November here on California’s Central Coast, and there is always something to do in the local area. If you have time this Veterans Day weekend, take a moment to venture out and enjoy all the area has to offer.
Veterans Day Ceremonies
Nov. 11, Maj. Gen. Stephen Whiting, 14th Air Force commander, will speak during a ceremony planned for the Santa Maria Cemetery located at 730 E. Stowell Road.
Orcutt’s Pine Grove Cemetery, near 1100 Stubblefield Road, will also host a Veterans Day event Nov. 11. Col. Michael Hunsberger, 30th Mission Support Group commander, is scheduled to speak at the service.
The Lompoc ceremony, planned for the Veterans Memorial Building at 100 E Locust Ave., Nov. 11, will include Brig. Gen Matthew Davidson, 14th Air Force vice commander.
Pismo Beach will host a Veterans Day celebration by the pier. The observance will take place at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Pismo Beach Pier.
Nov. 12, in Solvang, Col. Michael Hough, 30th Space Wing commander, will speak during the service at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, located at 1745 Mission Drive.
At the Guadalupe Cemetery’s flagpole on Nov. 12, The American Legion Post 371 will host a ceremony at 4655 W. Main St. with Col. Raymond Clydesdale, 30th Medical Group commander speaking.
Lompoc Valley
On Friday the Lompoc Certified Farmers Market is open. If you’re looking for fresh seasonal produce, flowers to brighten your home or office, or maybe something freshly baked, come to the Old Town Lompoc at the corner of South I Street and West Ocean Avenue from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Wondering about Lompoc’s history? Well, look no further than the Fabing-McKay-Spanne House located at 207 North L St. Operated by the Lompoc Historical Society, this 1885 Victorian House and property was named for the three families who had lived in it, and has been fully renovated and furnished. This was the first two-story, wooden residence constructed in the city of Lompoc. The free tour is offered Mondays and Thursdays from 9 – 11 a.m. and the 4th Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The La Purisma Mission is a beautiful place to hike with your family, and on Nov. 11 kids 7 to 12 can join in on the Junior Ranger program! Kids can explore nature, learn about history, hike, craft and play during the one hour ranger lead program. No sign up or registration required just be 7-12 years old and meet at the visitor center at 10:00 a.m. For more information go to www.lapurisimamission.org.
The Lompoc Museum, located at 200 S. H St. will host a World War I Monument Plaza Dedication Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. Over the last two years work has been done to clean the monument and install a stamped concrete plaza. An open house reception and opening of the exhibit, "Lompoc Goes to War" will follow the dedication.
Santa Maria Valley
Take the kids to the Santa Maria Discovery Museum this weekend. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. With 13,000 square feet of exhibits and programs it’s a place for children of all ages to learn and have fun.
Looking for a nice easy hike for you and your dog? If you keep them on the leash the Nipomo Native Garden Loop Trail offers 0.6 miles of native plants, wildlife and bird watching – a dog’s delight. The trail is located at 908 West Tefft Street in Nipomo and is open sun up to sun down.
Pismo Beach
The Monarch Butterfly Grove is back! A grand opening celebration took place Nov. 3 at 400 S Dolliver St. Thousands of beautiful orange and black Monarch Butterflies can be seen clustering in the Eucalyptus and Cypress trees at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove every winter. From November-February the grove is staffed daily. The best part is, It’s free!
Santa Barbara and Beyond
Every Saturday, rain or shine, Santa Barbara hosts the Saturday Fishermen’s Market, which starts at 6 a.m. on the pier near Maritime Museum at 113 Harbor Way Ste 190, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. Fall catch includes: live rock crab, sea urchin, abalone, ridgeback shrimp, sea cucumber and spiny lobster, and fresh fish such as rock fish, black cod, ling cod, halibut, sole, and sometimes, white sea bass, yellowtail, mackerel, and more! Bring your cooler, and they will load it with ice. Get your fish filleted and pick up recipes and cooking tips. Come by 9am for best selection. Pre-ordering info at http://cfsb.info/sat.
On Saturday, November 10, join the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation for a free, star-spangled event you won’t soon forget! The Santa Barbara Veterans Parade will begin at noon at the intersection of E. Sola and State and end at the Carriage and Western Art Museum of Santa Barbara, 129 Castillo St. The parade will feature WWII vehicles and re-enactors, heroes from all branches of the military, and an historic military aircraft flyover! Show your support for our veterans and watch the parade as it makes its way down State Street. For more information on Veterans Day weekend events presented by Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Foundation, call (805) 259-4394 or visit www.pcvf.org/veterans-day-weekend.
Have a great adventure on the Central Coast and enjoy the weekend.