Vandenberg AFB FamCamp

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.

Services' personel were very friendly and helpfull. We utilized a back in site and the adjacent facilities. The facilities were kept very clean. Be carefull when walking off the paved surfaces. The small ground dwelling animals there leave holes that you can trip in if not watchfull. The fog in the evening raised havic with our satilite TV reception. Wonderful base golf course. Looking forward to our next visit.

Great base for the facilities available to visitors. You must check out the dining facility. Retirees can eat there at any time and it was superb. Now regarding the campground. My biggest complaint is that the price went up $2 a night since last year with no improvement I could see. Wifi as advertised would have been a great improvement but it was down the entire ten days I was there. When asked I was told a workorder was in to Verizen. Why no sense of urgency if the Air Force is paying for the service? Services personnel staffed the office and maintained the area. Frankly I could not see one thing that the camphosts were responsible for. Finding the camphosts will be no problem. They are full time across from the office. They have a large enclosure around their entrance to their 5th wheel and have FIVE Dogs that can usually be found in that enclosure. Go Figure... Don't expect too much empathy if you happen to have a dog complaint in this park. Next year we will probably continue past this location.

We have stayed here before, and was an OK park. This time they had added WiFi, however it doesn't work. You can connect to the network, but there is no Internet connection. As for DSL in the new lounge, every URL gives a "FORBIDDEN", so that network is locked down too. Fairly poor coverage with ATT Aircard. When we arrived the office was open, we stopped, got out and a truck pulled up with some guy trying to tell out the window to us "Just pull in to where ever you want" and drove off. Seemed kinda strange, then the next day found out he is the Night Host. Would have been nice if he would have maybe gotten out and explained that to us. Then the day we were leaving my wife had used the shower in the new facility and the curtain was covered with mold. She told the Male Camp Host so they could take care of it. A few minutes later the Camp Host Wife, knocks on our rig, had a camera (prepared to take photos I guess) and said there was "Nothing wrong with the shower curtain". My wife told here it was filthy and needed to be cleaned, the host told her "You are just RUDE!". Well my wife went to the shower with her to show her, and just as she said the INSIDE of the curtain was 'Health Dept Bad'. The response from the host was "Well, I don't look on the INSIDE". Where else WOULD you look? No apologies, she just left saying it wasn't their job to clean that as there is a cleaning crew, and of course she DIDN'T USE HER CAMERA. We were Camp Hosts at another FamCamp and you ALWAYS CHECK THE BATHROOMS to make sure they are clean for the guests. If you are 'above' cleaning, at least make sure the 'crew' gets it done.

This FAMCAMP has two VERY different types of sites, both types have W/S/E. The pull thru sites have room for slide outs and are very nice. The back in sites are just a parking lot with hook ups. Getting backed in can be a challenge. The back in sites are horrid.

We were greeted very warmly by friendly substitute camp hosts. You do have to enter through the Lompoc entrance and we have found the City of Lompoc (only 5 miles away) nice and convenient. This FamCamp has very friendly people, love the wildlife (deer, squirrels and yes I hear there are coyotes here). It is so peaceful, clean and the ability to take walks, walk your pets in temperate weather with all support services within a close proximity (give or take 1 1/2 miles). You will need a tow vehicle as we have visited the Danish town of Solvang, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Santa Maria and Santa Barbara. We have not had a problem receiving WiFi service at anytime at the lounge area and we do receive internet service using Verizon in our Motor Home. I wanted to mention that there is a Launderette on this base besides the laundry facilities here at the FamCamp. We love it here.

We love this famcamp. The new camp hostess, Pat,is really trying to get things organized. She has obtained permission to use a house on the famcamp grounds and is scheduling Tuesday coffee mornings, cook-outs, potlucks, etc. She has ambitious plans but it will take a while for people to be aware and participate. Be sure to ask for the information packet when you register so you can see what she has scheduled. The laundry/restrooms behind the office are much nicer than those in the lounge across the road. This is very friendly famcamp. Be sure to take a day trip to Solvang, then go down to Chumash Casino on Tuesdays for their all-you-can-eat lobster buffet. The fitness center up the road is well equipped and the library has quite a few computers for checking email. The wifi at the famcamp only works at night - sometimes. No one seems interested in fixing the problem. We plan to come back here as often as possible.

Not a fancy RV Resort, but a nice, quiet setting. We got a pull-thru site and wouldn't have been as happy in the back-in sites. They do seem close together. We saw plenty of wildlife from our RV. Deer next the rig, young Coyotes strolling by across the grass, Heron, Hawks, and the nearby fields are invested with a TON of ground Squirrels. We enjoyed visiting the nearby tourist attractions and towns. I was surprised that none of the RV sites have 30amp connections. We user 50amp, but others will need an adapter (which they also sell here). The new lounge is clean and modern.