Vandenberg AFB FamCamp

T.P. left this review using the Directory software: - We had reservations for space 11 starting on the 19th but because of the issues with Camp Roberts (see my post for details) we decided to try and come in early. Called the camp on Sunday morning (the camp host answered on the 2nd ring) and asked if we could come in early. He said when we said today he said which site we told him he said wait on while I check it then he said its open I put a cone in front of it. When we got their he meet us and led us to our site offering an assistance that we might need. The base is a long way from anywhere but has some very interesting things to see if you are into missiles and the like. Good Exchange & Commissary but the post office is a bit flackey. All in all we enjoyed our stay and would return.

Stayed one night in full hooks up pull through. Full hook up spaces are 50 amp but Michelle, the host, gave me an adapter for my 30 amp at no cost. They have two internet access channels but connection sporadic. Kept losing signal so switched to my own connector. Going through the security at Lompoc Gate made me feel like a criminal. I appreciate the security aspect but when you're use to just showing your ID at Nellis AFB it was a shock especially having to sit in a closed room while they did whatever they did. A tad over the top in my opinion especially for a single older woman with a small dog. Not exactly a terrorist-like person.

This was our first visit and found it to be very nice and friendly. The host, Steve, met us directing us to our site and answering all our questions. We inquired about washing the RV and were told we could use the RV dump site which we did before setting up in site #38. This would be nice if all camps would offer this service. Found the laundry room very clean and efficient. The on across from the office has gas dryers. Did not check out the one in the office building. Commissary and Exchange very convenient off California Ave toward the Main gate. Exchange and gas on Community and Commissary on Utah. Not a problem coming in Lompoc gate. Guards friendly. We will definitely return. Amy and John Stanton

If you're looking for a place to do the touristy thing this isn't it. Other than the beach there isn't much to do here. Getting on base with a motorhome is a pain but bearable, they do go through all the outside bays while you wait in a room with no windows. The commissary and BX are good. The campground is clean and the sites are large enough that I could leave the trailer hooked up. If passing through this part of the country again I would stay here for the peace and quiet.

Still here, WOW, coming through the gate was easy considering what occurs on the base. When we arrived in the camp grounds the camp hosts approached us with drama, drama, drama. The camp hosts and staff need to be replaced sooner than later. Drive through sites are available, but if a site is reserved within a week it is put in a reserved status and overnight patrons stay in a parking lot. I'm not sure if this campground is user or employee friendly, KOA may be a good option. I will be paying a visit to the MWR manager before leaving. Famcamps are a benefit to the military families needing and wanting to use them. I always thought these programs were in place to support the military family. Homesteaders are here and not leaving, this will impact anyone's stay. The 14 day stay limit is BS, people are allowed to stay here as long as they want.

Have been coming here over the years, but it seems to be slowly spiraling down hill. My main concern is the host's site, what a mess. The only thing missing is a car on cement blocks. And the junk is working its way out on to the street. There is also the problem of their SIX dogs. And seems to be a large percentage of campers being here for months, even years. Not that safe feeling we get usually when staying at Famcamps. Sad.

Clean and friendly. Full hookups... * 50 amp only! Although it's the most extensive check I've experienced, the security check at Lompoc gate was no big deal. Took less than five minutes and the guards were friendly. It's not an "Agave Gulch" (Arizona)... but it is pleasant. Lot's of wild life roaming around the camp... we saw deer, coyotes, and an ominous shadow lurking in the dark. With family in Lompoc, we will return.

"Next time do not pull forward in the inspection area until told to do so by a guard." were the first words out of the second guard's mouth. I informed him that the young lady in the guard shack told me to do just what I had done and he should take it up with her if he had a problem. Without checking insurance or registration, I surrendered my ID and we were ordered out of the vehicle, to open all compartments, and to go over to the holding cell and wait to be called out. The holding cell is to prevent you from observing the inspection, but you can observe if you are in line waiting to proceed to the inspection area. I had to open my tow vehicle's hood, but the next day when I arrived at the same gate, without my trailer in the same tow vehicle, I was waved through after showing my ID. I like security, but this was absurd. The pull thrus are nice, the rest is like a mall parking lot, although with hookups. We ate at the base Dining Hall which was very nice. For Breakfast and Lunch, you can only go in the last hour of serving time so the troops can get fed first, but Supper and weekends are open all hours for us. Saw lots of Deer and a Coyote. Steve was helpful and nice and I don't think he is from Texas. Forget emailing for reservations - they don't get to Shelly. Phone calls are not answered regularly and there is no answering machine. Per Shelly, "Just show up and we'll find you a place."

Mediocre Famcamp as compared to those I consider good Famcamps. I did not have the negative experience with Steve another rater apparently had and he was very friendly with me. My biggest problem with the FamCamp is that where we stayed was nothing more than a parking lot. That is OK for an overnighter (just like Walmart is), but not what I look for in a FamCamp. There are more "typical" famcamp sites in another part of the park, but they were not available, and even though we had a reservation, unless you know ahead of time to specifically ask for one of those sites, you are going to be relegated to the "parking lot." On a more positive note, the base and typical facilities were nice and as I am accustomed to for an AF Base.

The inspection to get into the base was unreal...did not like that part at all. We did not understand why none of the cars going thru the gate did not get searched and yet they made it a point to have us open every compartment in our RV including the hoods and trunks of both vehicles. The truck traffic behind us was really piling up. The FAMCAMP was fine in the fact that we had made a reservation so our spot was pre-reserved. The check-in process just involved charging us for the 2nd night as the 1st had already been charged. It's very quiet here and easily accessible to Lompoc.

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.