Vandenberg AFB FamCamp

Loved staying here. Close to beaches, small town charm of Lompoc, with LA and San Luis Obispo within a easy drive. The office staff, specifically Shelly, is polite, helpful and a pleasure to interact with. Steve, the cigar chewing camp host, on the other hand is another story. He seems to be the leader of a "good old boys" network that exerts some influence on camp policies that favor his clique. His demeanor is tyrannical, rude, crass and obnoxious. But then he is a stereotypical Texan. The facility itself needs some upgrading. The laundry washing machines, the bathrooms and the WiFi system all need upgrading. But the main road into the camp is getting resurfaced after many years of dodging potholes. The reservation system is inconsistent, with some DoD civilian personnel living here full time. Thoroughly enjoyed being surrounded by viewable wildlife.

When we got to the gate we were told we needed the registration and insurance, open all compartments to include the hot water cover and the cover to the refrigerator and go into the building! As I was looking for the ins card another rent a cop came up and said we didn't need that since we had our ID cards. Not sure what they were looking for in the back of the hot water heater and refrigerator. But we opened them anyway. When we got to the famcamp we did not see the same things as in the pictures. First of all the nice sites they show are of a few pull throughs that are very unlevel and broken up concrete pads. The rest are back in sites that are in 2 parking lots. I ask the host where the water is that is in the photos and he said a few miles away, what parts of it is open! So don't come here to be by the beach, it's not here. The wifi was down and no one can reset it after hours. The host said the office tried to reset it but it was 4:00 which is time for them to go home. The website and the Military camp book said you can not make reservations but sites are marked as reserved and the host said they changed that about 6 months ago. But nothing has been updated. Most everyone looks like they live here. Some not so clean around the campers. And they have a lot of busybodies up in here. They want to know what you are doing and don't mind standing and looking to see what you're doing. This is not a place we will come back to.

Why does Vandenburg AFB discriminate against Rvers. When we arrived at the main gate a rent-a-cop flagged us over to the side and told us we had to go in the Lompac gate and be inspected. The way he acted it was an imposition for him to leave his shack and come tell me. When we got to the gate, we were told to get out of the motorhome, open all the bays and wait in the room. What choice did I have but to go in the little room with only one window. We were not able to see what they were doing. We had a lot of valuable personal (jewelry, Ipod, computers GPS) property in the motor home. One problem I have with the inspection is that they don't trust me, but I have to trust them with my property without me knowing what's going on. What were they looking for? They didn't take enough time look in every toter, drawer, under the bed, under the seats or even in the car. What is the purpose of sending RVers through this. I can accept random searches, but all RV's. I'm putting this on my "do not return to" list.

My mother and I found the FamCamp to be a great place to stay while helping my son and his family unpack during their recent transfer to VAFB. The restrooms & showers were clean and easy to get to. The Host's were very helpful. Steve unhooked our sway bars & hooks up for us, and re-attached them when we were ready to leave, because we were clueless. The pull-thru spaces are a little tight if you have a large RV/Trailer...but we had PLENTY of room. The only thing that would have been nicer, would have been to have had cable/satellite to hook the T.V. in our trailer up to. Other than that, it was GREAT. And we got a kick out of seeing all the wild life. Coyotes, Raccoons, Herons, Skunks, etc...beautiful area. Thanks again--

We have been using the Vandenberg FamCamp for at least the last ten years during hunting season. We have found the park to be quiet, clean and dog friendly. Using Breakers mess hall is certainly a $$ plus and there is lots to do in the area (Solvang, Santa Maria, Buellton). However, with all the open space, we don't understand why there aren't more spaces with hookups. The pull-thrus are great (if you can get one), but the "parking lot" spaces are tight and your view is the RV next to you. You can't open your awning and slide-outs are iffy.

This Famcamp is one of the best in the system. Steve the camp host and the various camp managers are all very friendly and accommodating. The only drawback we had was not at the famcamp but security at the gate. Rvs must stop for inspections. Everyone must leave the rig, open all storage areas then step inside a small building and wait for the rv to be inspected. Some people have been told to turn their backs while the inspection took place. Wasn't comfortable not being able to observe the operation. Rvs are treated the same as commercial trucks, which is odd. Once on base everything is great. Back-in sites are cramped if everyone has slides, but it's still doable.

Stayed at the park 8 & 9 Sept 2010. Has to stay in the "parking lot". Although there was water, electric, and sewer, shortly after setting up, a fifth wheel RV parked not 5 feet from me. My view was the side of the 5th Wheeler on that side and a coach two spaces on the other side. Vandenberg has miles and miles of open property to expand the park. They could fill probable three times the spaces with the proper parking locations.

Have been to over a dozen military campgrounds in the past three years. Have found Air Force facilities to be the best. Have visited Vandenberg Famcamp twice. Came back the second time because of our experiences the first time... and there will be more. Arrived Saturday: office closed, but host available and friendly. On Monday stopped by office to get our Famcamp Logbook stamped: was greeted with a great smile, some enjoyable banter, and helpful info. Have 2 GSDs: they loved playing fetch in the wide open fields around the Famcamp. Base facility personnel (Shoppette/BX/Gas Station) courteous and helpful. Enjoyed Wall Beach and Minuteman Beach. Wildlife (coyotes, deer, birds) a treat for critter lovers. Not having reservations a plus for us because we never know when we'll be somewhere nor for how long we'll stay. Dry camping availability if no hookup sites available a big plus in that case. VAFB is one of the best at which we've stayed.

Stayed in the back-ins the first two days then moved to the pull thurs, much better, everything is first come, if you come in and all pull thrus are full, they offer a waiting list. The Lompoc gate is open and working well, we were the first RVers to use the new gate. We stayed in Class A motorhome.

I spent 15 days there in May 2010. The weather was cool and overcast most of the time. The staff are very friendly and helpful. My Verizon Broadband works but at less than optimum. Was not full this time of the year. The RV/Truck gate is under construction but still must be used to get in. Can leave through the main gate unless your rig is too big. I have a 30 ft fifth wheel and had no problems negotiating the barriers.
Check with the staff for best way out.

First a correction on the Vandenberg Lompoc gate. The coordinates are 34.70555 -120.50232 approximately. Those coordinates will get you to the gate. However, the directions provided in the Military Campgrounds is accurate. Also, the only working phone number is (805) 606-8579. On arrival, the campground personnel were very friendly and helpful. The sites are pull through, or back in, and all have full hook-up. The back-in are all on what appears as a "parking lot." If you look at the aerial view you can see this, and the picnic tables (at all sites) are at the back of the RV in a grassy area. The pull through sites all have trees, but some have less than others. Satellite reception may be hampered as the South is off the back of the RV in the pull through. A portable dish system has no problem being located at the rear and aimed at the satellites. Eating at the Breakers Dining Facility (Mess Hall) was a great experience. The food was excellent and the price was absolutely in the inexpensive area. It was $4.60 total for us to eat. Just amazing. Except for no reservations at the CG, this is a nice place to spend some quiet time. So far it is quiet.

About as described by others. We got the last available pull-through spot. The back-spots are very narrow, but should allow for slide extension. The Lompoc Gate was under construction at the time of our arrival. The contract security folks were very helpful in helping us through. We recorded several GPS coordinates that may prove helpful. They are: 1. Main Gate. N34? 44.971' W 120? 31.353' 2. Lompoc Gate. N34? 42.400' W120? 30.148' 3. Solvang Gate. N34? 40.352' W120? 33.522' 4. Base Exchange. N34? 44.173' W120? 32.253' 5. Commissary. N34? 44.983' W120? 32.294' 6. Wall Beach. N34? 42.377' W120? 36.012' I am using the latest Garmin mapping software for my Street Pilot, but the GPS did have some problems with base roads, particularly enroute to Wall Beach. It worked fine routing us to other base facilities.

This was a park with lots of goods, but also some detractors that made the ratings difficult. Location: Definitely a little out of the way, and the gates allowing RV entry make it even more out there. Also, a bit of distance from base facilities for those wanting to walk (1.3 miles to BX area). The location is also an advantage in that it is nice and quiet. Clean/Hosp: We were there during the first big storm of the year, but they still kept places cleaned up. Park staff was very nice, host a little put-off-ish. Amen/Fac: Park has 2 buildings in center of park, one a little older than the other. The pull through sites have a picnic table and BBQ box with small concrete pad off of asphalt RV pad. The back-in sites a little narrow but on asphalt that is fairly level. 2 lounge areas, 1 with satellite TV, 2 laundry and 2 restroom areas (2 showers each). Full hook-up with some cable TV. Lots of base facilities and a nearby trail system from one of the gyms plus an on base rec area. NOTE: If bringing pets, they require in-hand proof of all shots/vaccinations. We enjoyed our stay even with the bad weather, but the overall experience score is down due to the isolated location and not taking reservations. We called 6 times and got no answer over 2 days, so took a chance that there would be a site open. There is a lot of open area and saw several deer and lots of different birds.

Called ahead to see if a site was available, and found out I should have been more specific. Back in sites can not accommodate a modern coach with slides without encroaching on your neighbor's site. Site hosts were very friendly and accommodating, but I wish they had told me on the phone there were no big rig sites. Beware, when leaving the camp there is a very sharp turn that someone had marked with a low sign. That person has no concept of RVs, the way the sign is placed it probably damages plenty of RVs every year. Easy solution would be to move the sign back about six feet and add gravel to the turning point. Other observations is that the entire base seems to be in arrested decay, we will not be back.

T.B. left this review using the Directory software: Off the beaten path but a wonderful location. Great hospitality, excellent, clean facilities! Well done. Full service AF Base & close to wineries & sightseeing day trips. A great experience. Be prepared for the morning fog.. Wi/Fi did not work but DSL/Dial-up in game room.

Shelly (office lady) and the Camp Host (retired Navy Chief) were both very friendly. We enjoyed the central coast area, so the location was great for us. It is a very quiet and relaxing area far from the glitz that some may want. We were in space 13 (pull through) & could NOT get a wifi connection. We were able to try several sites for the best reception with our roof top dish, basically the same in each one, which was so,so. In the early AM when the dew was heavy we could only get 110 and as the dew dried we could get 119 (DISH network). Like others have said the over the air TV is limited, but we managed to survive! The golf course is off base a few miles down the hill back towards Santa Maria. It is pretty with rolling hills and narrow tree lined fairways. I really enjoyed it! There are 4 washers & 4 dryers, but in 2 separate buildings. The washers are only $.50 a load & the dryers are a $1.00 per cycle, but a cycle is 1 hour. We'll go back again!

Cost very reasonable considering the amenities, which included eating at the base dining facility which averaged costing $4.00 per meal. Food was amazingly better tasting than my previous [metal tray] experiences many years ago. Sites, were full hook up 110vac/w/s & 'wi-fi'. My site was (of my own choosing) almost a Walmart parking lot experience (a painted line - 6ft distance to my neighbor). I could have elected to move to a more spacious site if I have chosen, but neighboring campers made my selection quite enjoyable. The two restrooms, showers and laundry facilities I used were both well maintained clean and pleasant. Shortcoming being the lack of base maps at the (Lompoc)[RV] entry gate, i.e., [the #4 rating on Facilities]. Since comprehensive maps are readily available on the internet via Google world maps, it suggests poor planning for commanders not to provide them in sufficient quantities where needed at base entry points? The absence of maps did encourage me to drive extensively to 'discover' Vandenburgs numerous great beaches. Sea-fog was persistent, moderating the normal 90 degree summer temps close to the sea and a quarter mi. inland. Average was 75f days, - blankets at night. The opportunity exists to view both mil and civ space launches in person (launch dates can be found on the internet) and if your really fortunate you'll meet new and genuinely interesting campers as I did! I had never previously even heard of a Y-03A aircraft in Vietnam!!

We changed our route plans to stay at this famcamp. Since we were not in the host's, Steve, clique we had to follow all the rules as written. Can you imagine with no beverages, not even water allowed in either lounge. For our entire stay both of the bathrooms in the new office/lounge had electrical problems so they we usable only during daylight. One of the men's shower in the older lounge was taped off, so only one shower was available for all users. On the night before we left, the older lounge had a flood in one of the two bathrooms. The reason the WiFi is so weak is because it is mounted on the maintenance building with a short mast. One of the laundry machines in the older lounge was out of service for all four days of our visit. The base MWR is not reinvesting a very big proportion of the funds the famcamp is generating each day back into improvements within the campground. For three months of traveling this was the worst famcamp we visited. The MWR needs to send representatives to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas to observe how they do things.

Vandenberg is one of our favorite famcamps. Steve, the new host, is very friendly and the office staff really tries to make your stay comfortable. Wifi still does not reach the entire park. The base doesn't seem to want to support the famcamp and problems go unaddressed. It is due for expansion in 2010 but I doubt that will happen. Even with the problems it is still a very nice park.

The back-in are not as horrid as some have suggested. Yes, they are a little narrow, especially if you have slides on both sides, but there is a LOT of maneuvering room. The back-ins are all on asphalt, which is a nice change from having gravel. Even the overflow lot is paved. The pull-thrus are all easy to get into and have a lot of room between campers. The wifi was up and running when we visited, but they made some mistakes on design. I believe all back-ins will have a good wifi signal (untested, tho), but the signal pretty much disappears about 3/4 of the way up the pull-thru line, that is, sites 1-10 should be good, 11-14 pretty weak, beyond that you can most likely forget it (all this is just a guess, tho). If you have a permanently mounted sat ant, you might want to consider a back-in since the orientation of the pull-thrus and the location of pine trees will likely interfer with the signal. Check you site before setting up. Otherwise, we liked it here. Very nice place and the base is neat, tidy, clean, and with a lot of nice people. If visiting around 26Feb08, you may have trouble finding a spot, since they are having an Atlas 5 launch on/around that date. The launch is supposed to be late at night, but the exact date/time will not be released until later.