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I don't know the Lompoc/Vandenberg area. I would love to go up and hike a nearby peak to view a rocket launch. Which peak is best?

If it's high, but far away, that might not be good. Are there any decent peaks near Vandenberg to view rocket launches?

TIA.

No peaks that I know of, but you could try Jalama Beach County Park & Campground. Its south of Lompoc, north along the coast from Point Conception, and at the very southern end of Vandenburg AFB. You won't be able to see the launch pad, but you should get great views from just after lift-off and as the rocket go out over the Pacific Ocean. Since its a campground you can make it an overnight trip if you expect a night launch (which is always awesome!). You get to it from a road off of Hwy 1 south of Lompoc. Check the Santa Barbara County website to see if its open (maybe COVID-19 restrictions? ). There's also a coastal park on the southern area of the Vandenburg property (Ocean Beach Park, IIRC), but I'm not sure if that's even open to the public any more (it used to be a 'day-use-only' park/beach for the public).

I'm not aware of anything north of Vandenburg, maybe someone else will chime in on that area.

Here's a "wild card" thought:

Call Vandenburg's PIO/Public Information Office and see if they have any public viewing areas for launches (all but the smallest military bases have a PIO). Most of VAFB's launches are military, so they may just say "no" but its worth a phone call. Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space center has them for most launches, maybe VAFB does too.

Mt. Lospe is a P1K on the north edge of the base with a view. Check out the Point Sal Trail.

Thanks, all. I had seen this listing of viewing spots:
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/van ... h-viewing/

But I thought SPers might know some better spots that require a hike to a hilltop or nearby peak... since the general public usually wants a drive-up viewing spot.

This topo map has been helpful for determining high points and what areas are restricted:
https://peakery.com/tranquillon-mountai ... ornia/map/

Launch Pad 6 (among others) is near Point Arguello at:
34.58134744533821, -120.62611617278125

Mount Lospe (1647' but restricted access from what I understand) is about 22mi north of the launch pads... but as Bob Bird mentions, the ridgeline (~1200') near Point Sal Beach would seem to have good views... but 22mi away.

Point Conception Lighthouse 12.7 mile south would seem like an amazing viewpoint, but it is on private property and restricted access.

On the topography map, it looks like less than 7mi from the launch pads are Wild Horse Peak (1621'), Tranquillon Mtn (2060'), Sudden Peak (2110'), and Oak Mtn (2008')... unfortunately all are restricted access on Vandenberg property.

Now I'm wondering if there is a good viewpoint somewhere in the area to the south between Jalama Beach, Palo Alto Hill, and Point Concepcion Lighthouse... it would be about 10-12 miles from the launch pads... seems like one of those hills or highpoints near the ocean should have a good line of sight.
EDIT: Now, I'm reading that Vandenberg closes Jalama Beach and forces all visitors and campers out during launches. I don't know how far up the road they enforce those restrictions.
EDIT: I called Jamala Beach, the park person said Vandenberg closes the road to Jamala Beach all the back at CA Hwy 1, so the hills near there are inaccessible.

Thanks again, all. I welcome further input. I don't live near there and haven't had a chance to explore before going up to see a launch.

Btw, the launch schedule is at:
https://www.spacelaunchschedule.com/van ... -schedule/

That would be neat to see the Firefly rocket on its maiden flight. That's always a time when catastrophic problems (which are visually spectacular) have a good chance of occuring. Since most launches from Vandenberg are for polar orbits (heading south) I can see why they'd want to clear out the area south of Vandenberg - any failure could cause an explosion at altitude that could reign down quite a bit of hot or contaminated debris over quite a wide area.