The horror stories are abundant when you hear about trips to the DMV. But this one is different. I…read moremade an online appointment and was able to check in by phone 10 minutes before my scheduled time. I was given a number that doesn't appear on the countdown board and the next window open at my appointment time. It was so smooth, and the lady helping me was great. She was confused at the document I brought in from the California DMV but figured it out and I was able to walk out with new Registration tags in hand. If you're really lucky, you'll get assistance from Val when you walk in. Extremely helpful with a positive attitude and a smile. Super knowledgeable!

Out of all the DMVs I have been to, this is my favorite one so far. Appointments are easy to make,…read moresometime you can get appointment the day before. Even if you don't have an appointment, the line doesn't take a lifetime unlike some big locations. I have been here more than I wanted to, but it's mostly on me. This is just for applying for CA driver license for the first time and registering out of state car. Let's go with the easier one first, registering out of state cars. The biggest surprise and difference I have encountered here compares to TX is there's no paid vehicle inspection required prior to come here. You just bring your car, get in line (under the cover in front of the entrance door), wait for a DMV inspector to come out and inspect your car. If you're nice and have everything ready to go, it can take just 5-10mins. Once the inspection is done, you take the form that's signed by the inspector, along with your application inside (if you have an appointment) or get in line outside if you don't have an appointment. Make sure you have your current car registration from whichever state you're from. Then just paid the fee and on your way with your new license plate. However, compares to TX, I believe it's hundreds of dollars more depends on how old your car is, versus just about $70. So if that's really true, we'll probably just take a road trip back to TX border and renew our registration this year lol. Moving on to driver license. If you just need a CA driver license as a first timer from out of state, without anything extra like changing your name, then it's pretty painless. You need to go on the CA DMV official website, create an account, sign up for the written test, choose to take the test either in person or proctor. Once you've passed the test, make sure your current driver license is still valid, have 2 forms of proof of residency, take the vision test at the DMV, have your picture taken, and that should be it. I kept reading "horror" stories about how difficult CA driver license written test is, but it took me less than 15mins to complete and pass the 1st try. Just make sure you scan over the driving book to know some of the material first. Now, if you need to change your name like me, don't show up with expired driver license and expired passport, cuz none of that would fly. In order to change your name on the driver license, you need to have a valid passport with your new name first, THEN, your social security ALSO has to have your new name on it before the CA DMV would approve your new CA driver license. Well, live and learn right? Overall, going from having to wait weeks or months for an appointment in TX, to being able to be seen the same day with barely any wait, I really can't complain much!

I came to this DMV to renew my driver's license. The staff were incredibly warm and friendly, and…read morethe whole process went very smoothly. I'm extremely satisfied with the service I received

I made an appointment and went to the LOMPOC DMV this morning. I was approx. 15 minutes early. The…read morewoman who greeted me and checked me in was very friendly. As soon as she checked me in my number was called. I never even sat down. I went to window 7 and met with Fatima. She took my information/packet of documents and took hardly anytime at all to process the application. She checked my vision, had me sign, handed me all my paperwork back and my new temporary Real ID/license. She sent me across to the photo machine. A very nice man greeted me and took my photo. He then finished my paperwork and I was done. This was the most pleasant trip to the DMV ever!.

My son is there right now. He just recently, a week ago, went to the hospital because he passed…read moreout. At the hospital, they discovered he had blood clots in both lungs and both feet. He stayed there for a week for treatment of his blood clots. They sent him home with 3 months of blood clot medication. Five days later he had to surrender himself to jail time he owed at SLO County Jail. He came with the meds they prescribed him from the hospital, but on his 3rd day there, they finally only gave him his blood clod prescription! He said his feet are very swollen! He's also on anti depression and anxiety medication. So much for Mental Health at SLO County Jail!!! I'm worried because I lost my Mom to blood clots 5 years ago! Scary Almost a week there and they haven't given him his prescribed anti depressant pills. But they finally gave him the blood clot pills only because I called them and warned them!!!..so they gave it to him because they don't want to be in trouble if he dies. Nice of them

After a rocky start, the staff went over and above with the medical care my husband is receiving…read more The head nurse was awesome, taking the time to get things done correctly and explaining everything. The Dentist there is really great. Going out of her way to be sure he was not in any pain. Having all his teeth pulled and fitted with dentures. Can't wait. Overall i give the Medical staff 5 stars! Doesn't seem possible to get such great care in a facility like this. Kudos to them!

This DMV is beyond slow even with an appointment ( get ready for a one hour minimum to wait)! They…read morehave the rudest people working ( if you can call it that) there. I watched the counter person being so rude to an elderly lady who didn't have a computer to do a pre check and she was rudely told to use the kiosk! No one even helped her to understand what to do! The same woman at the counter was extremely rude to two Spanish speaker ( she herself was Hispanic), she just kept repeating what she was saying in English. It seems to me if the state of California gives these licenses to Spanish speakers they need to provide a translator to help with this issue. They have signs posted about harassing the people who work there and what criminal offense it is... I can see why it's posted! It's really worth the drive to go to SLO's DMV. They are much quicker and don't have an attitude that you shouldn't be there!

Very quick service compared to DMV's in the Bay Area. Friendly folks, certainly will use them again…read morefor my DMV needs.

Well, my husband has been dead for nearly 3 years. As money became tight, I decided to call the…read moresocial security office in SLO and check to see if I was eligible for any benefits. I had the good fortune of speaking w Deb. She said I should have been receiving money since his death. She told me to bring marriage certificate in (she already had other data). She took care of it. She was kind and considerate. Finding her was life-altering.

Security Guard is non approachable and rude!!! Needs to learn customer service skills! This is the…read morefirst time for some people and people have different levels of education of understanding. Slow down and appreciate your job! Be more helpful!!!

I have to admit that i began the process of renewing my Driver's License in Glendale which is/was a…read moretrial by fire and mortar. I mean i went in w/o an appointment and wham bang was accosted by a huge group of people seeking succor from the cali DMV! HA! I went through almost the entire process including taking a photo which made me look like Rock Hudson when it was published that he had AIDS! ( i swear. i look gaunt and ready to meet my maker!) Unfortunately i failed the test and decided to hightail out of the place. I spent over a week in SB for holidays and family illness issues and so i came here on the 27th to take my test over. First of all everyone working here were still on the high of Christmas and treated us all few applicants like long lost family members. It scared me initially and then i got into it. I did ask if i could take my photo over and the nice lady replied: $35 to redo. Ok for that. I mean for 35 bucks i could have a few drinks sitting at the Tee Off bar, right? In any event i passed the test easily, missed 2 and received graciously, my 2024 renewal. The peeps that work here are the best: full of smiles and helpful and caring. Why can't all of the DMZ offices follow that trend? And why can't it be Christmas the whole year 'round? Cheers!

Very poor customer service. They treat people like they're stupid. It wouldn't hurt them to be a…read morelittle more patient and do a better job of helping the community, that's what they're paid to do. Unfortunately, most of the staff are rude and unprofessional.

Spectacular view of the Space-X Falcon 9 Launch on 16 June 2025, from Vandenburg Space Force Base…read morein California. On of the wonders of our world!!

Founded in 1941 as an Army training center, it became Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1949,…read moretransitioning to its current name in 2021. Space launches and missile testing is its current assignment. The Pacific Coast Highway passes right through the land belonging the base, passing right by its entrance. We had seen parts of it while taking Amtrak up to Seattle from Los Angeles, and this time wanted to see what the drive would be like. It's mostly 4 lane divided highway north of the base, with it changing to a 2 lane hilly road south of Lompoc. There is hardly any traffic on the road and couldn't imagine there would be cops catching speeders. But later read that the highway's safety is indeed the responsibility of the CHP.