I mentioned the Lompoc Old Towne Market. If you can't make this event, you are invited to visit the October Fest night on October 6, the Renaissance night on October 13, or Holiday Crafts and Gift night on October 20th. Lompoc holds a weekly event in its Old Towne section.
Make a day of it. Come early so you take a walking tour of the murals. Stop by the Lompoc Museum. There you will find the most complete collection of Chumash Indian artifacts in the state. While you are in Lompoc, stop and have a steaming cup of coffee or an iced mocha at the Southside Coffee Shop.
You won't want to miss La Purisima Mission, the most authentically restored mission in the chain of early California missions. Follow dusty paths through the garden and see the vegetation that provided food and medicine for ancient cultures. Stroll beneath Oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. I'll be doing a separate article on this beautiful mission and other like it during the coming months.
My husband and I use the month of October to take long drives and just regroup before the hectic holiday season begins. Sometimes we stay overnight, but often, they are just day drives. We enjoy the subtle change of color, the softness of the air, the blue-grey of the Pacific. It's a great time to collect fall leaves and pods, and there is no better place to drive through the country than the central coast. Try it. The fall colors of the local vineyards are beautiful.
While you are on the central coast, there are several small towns that are worth a visit. Los Olivos, with it's Day in the Country old fashioned celebration offers arts and crafts. For more information on this October event and the artist community of Los Olivos call 800-688-1222. Have lunch at Mattei's Tavern, an old stage coach stop.
This area is rich with history. If you love old things, there is antiquing in nearby Los Alamos. You could spend an entire day in this little town. Take a picnic lunch to enjoy at the lovely Los Alamos park.
If the central coast is a little too far for you to drive, maybe you could visit the Old Town Antique Malls in Temecula and take in the Great Temecula Tractor Race October 7-8. While you are there, visit the local wineries.
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