The Visitor's Center is not open to the general public and does not have information on upcoming launch times. The visitor center also does not carry merchandise for sale, and base tours are currently not available. The Base Museum is closed until further notice.
Location: 6 California Blvd, right outside the Santa Maria Gate
Phone: (805) 606-7662
NEW Hours of Operation*
Mon-Fri: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed
* Closed on all Federal Holidays
After Hour Passes: Visitors needing a visitor pass after hours can receive a 24 hour pass at the Santa Maria gate, (located on California Blvd. at the intersection with HWY 1)
Get Virtual Passes for up to 30 Days!
- Sponsors! Save time by obtaining visitor’s passes via email
- Request must be submitted NLT 3 business days prior to the day of visit
- Virtual passes are only authorized for visitors who have been input into the DBIDS system and previously received a pass from the visitor center. Visitors without a DBIDS account must create one at the visitors center before being eligible for virtual passes.
Please complete following steps:
- Visitor(s) must complete pre-enrollment (click here)
- Visitor(s) provides confirmation page of pre-enrollment to sponsor (six character alpha numeric code they received after completing)
- Sponsor fills out Pass request form (click here for form)
- Sponsor emails information package to Visitors Center at 30SFSVisitorsCenter@us.af.mil including the following:
- Pass request form (must include signature and six-character alpha numeric code visitor received from confirmation of pre-enrollment)
- Picture of visitors valid ID (front & back)
- Request will be processed, and passes must be emailed to sponsor for distribution
- Visitor may either print their passes or present on their mobile device for installation access
Eligible sponsors may sponsor up to 10 guests at a time for up to 30 days*
*Note: Visitor(s) must have a valid Visitor Pass, QR code alone will not grant entry to the installation*
Trusted Traveler:
Trusted Traveler will be effect from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. during FPCON NORMAL, ALPHA and BRAVO.
During the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. members without base access will be required to obtain a base paper pass.
Trusted Traveler will be suspended during the following conditions:
- FPCON CHARLIE and DELTA
- Scheduled Launch Days
If a guest (who does not have authorized access) stays overnight, they must submit for and be issued a base pass.
Authorized individuals: Government employees and Active-Duty personnel that possess a Common Access Card will be allowed to vouch for all passengers in their vehicle (not to exceed 10 passengers). Individuals will be responsible and accountable for the conduct of those co-travelers and will be required to accompany their guests at all times while on base jurisdiction.
Contractors, retirees, dependents and foreign nationals are not allowed Trusted Traveler privileges.
Authorized individual must have sufficient knowledge of their co-travelers to legitimately vouch for their identity, fitness, and purpose. Individuals will be personally accountable for the conduct of those co-travelers in accordance with installation security policies and the potential for adverse action to security clearances. DoD component and installation-level policy requires the authorized individual to accompany the co-traveler until he or she departs the installation.
Members with the following credentials may sponsor up to 10 individuals for 30 days.
- Active Duty/Retired Military ID Card Holders
- Dependent ID card
- Contractor CAC
- DOD Civilian ID CAC
- Retired DOD Civilian ID Card
In order to receive a pass individuals will need the following information:
- Driver’s License/State Identification
- Valid vehicle registration or rental agreement
- Proof of insurance
A pass for installation access is required for all individuals 16 and over. Please contact the Visitor Control Center with any questions.
Commercial Vehicles:
The sponsor will meet the commercial vehicle at the Lompoc gate to get a 24 hour pass and have the vehicle searched.
Foreign Visitor Request:
Must be completed NLT 30 days prior to the visit. Contact the VCC for further information.
Long Term Visitor Credential:
This is for hardship purposes and the sponsor needs to contact the VCC for proper paper work.
Retiree IDs
DOD Civilian Retiree IDs have been DISCONTINUED DOD wide, as of Sep 01, 2023. In addition, Vandenberg Space Force Base Visitors Center will issue new DBIDS cards to any DOD civilian retirees. Please bring SF-50 form to Visitors Center to attain new retiree DBID card.
Disabled Veterans Access (VHIC)
Disabled Veterans with a Service-Connected VA card can obtain up to a 3-year DBIDs card depending upon expiration date of VA card.
Must come into the VCC and show Service-Connected VA card, as well as a valid state issued driver’s license to be issued DBIDs card for Installation Access.
Current as of April 2024