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Fall Mini-Trips

© Pat Pease

It's officially fall. School has started, summer vacations are over, but that doesn't mean the fun has to end. Autumn in California, like the rest of the nation, brings those wonderful fests and faires, arts and craft shows, parades and wine tours.

I love autumn in California. It doesn't march in with the cold fronts of the North, or have the reputation for fall colors like New England. Like most things in California, autumn is softer, easier, a little more laid-back. But don't let that fool you. It's a wonderful time of year, packed with color and energy and, best of all, those special weekend events.

There isn't space to list them all in this column, so I've tried to hit some of the lesser known areas and event starting with my home town, Lompoc.

You've probably never heard of Lompoc. If you look at a map of California, Lompoc is where the elbow bends. It's a small town tucked in a beautiful valley. In fact, it's known as the Valley of Flowers. Along with the flowers, it's equally famous for the missiles launched at the nearby Vandenberg Air Force Base and it's beautiful murals painted on the side of many of the buildings in town.

In fact, September 30th another mural will be painted during the Old Towne Faire. The 15' x 50' mural will be completed in just one day. Rounding out the events will be an ice cream social, bed races and food.

To join the fun, take Hwy 101 north from Santa Barbara to Hwy.1 or Hwy. 246 west from Buellton. The events start at 9:00 A.M. and end at 5:30 P.M. It's a great way to welcome in the these October events.

October 6-7, take a drive to Solvang for the Vaquera Show and Sale. This event celebrates the cowboy, complete with silver bits and spurs, saddles and branded rawhide. It will also feature noted artisan and cowboy artists. While you are there, grab some delicious barbeque. For more information, call 805-688-0881.

On the 7th though, you might want to drive on up to Santa Maria for the celebrated Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains Festival. Here you will find fine arts and crafts, winemaking and more barbeque.

If you can't make it to the central coast that weekend, Solvang will host a Celebration of Harvest with gourmet food and wine on October 14th. While you are there, you will only be a few miles from Vandenberg Air Force Base, so drive over for their Vandenberg Aerospace Show 2000 and see outstanding demonstrations by the USAF Thunderbirds (October 14-15).

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