Often a blustery oblivion, Ocean Park in Lompoc has been
a paradise of isolated beach and sunshine lately. The record high-degree
weather is bringing out families, couples and their dogs for fun in the sun.
Ocean Park is approximately 30 miles from Buellton and is
worth the drive for anyone seeking miles of wild beach and a secluded
ocean-side experience. With only a handful of visitors visible at a time, it
seems a well-kept secret that fall is the best season at Ocean Park, when
coastal fog is not as prevalent because of cooler inland temperatures.
Known historically as the Graveyard of the Pacific, with
50 known shipwrecks, the area’s riptides make Ocean Park unsafe for swimming,
but there almost is no end to its expanse of sand, shells, rocks and interesting
items that wash ashore, awaiting discovery.
Driftwood strewn from the high dunes to the water’s edge
provide an interesting assortment of materials to bring out the builder in
everyone. Bird watchers enjoy the fall-hued estuary filled with waterfowl such
as snowy egrets, great blue herons, osprey and brown pelicans. On the shore are
sandpipers, marbled godwits, Western grebes, and of course, snowy plovers.
People with keen eyesight may find sand dollars, still whole, if spotted when
first washed ashore.
In addition to the strange variety of things that are
manmade and wash ashore, the recent warm weather coaxed a crop of mushrooms
from out of the driftwood buried in the sand, likely washed down from an
upstream forest at some unknown point in time. Tucked in low-lying mist, the
buildings of South Vandenberg Air Force Base are barely visible from the shore.
Soft as fine-spun cloth, the well-beaten sand is swept
into rippled furrows of small dunes. “This is my favorite beach,” said Raelynn
Persons, who, with Monique Persons, was happily romping with their German
shepherd puppy, Chief. “This is the best beach in the world,” agreed Monique. “The
sand is so soft.”
Visitors to Ocean Park should tread lightly to protect
wildlife and themselves. The wind-driven sand can cover hidden objects.
The park is free, and the ban on walking dogs on leashes
established to protect the snowy plover, was lifted in September and will not
go back into effect until March.
For those seeking an ocean side “day-cation,” the southern
Amtrak route takes travelers around scenic Honda Point. Travelers also can ride
north to the depot in San Luis Obispo. Although there is no train station at
the park, there is a kiosk where one can purchase a train ticket before
boarding. Tickets also may be purchased from Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL
(1-800-872-7245) or online from Amtrak’s home page, http://amtrak.com.
Reach Wendy Thompson at wendy@syvjournal.com.