If you want to visit a European-style city in America, plan to visit Solvang in California. Located in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County, Solvang resembles a Danish village, complete with Danish architecture, culture, and cuisine. With pleasant weather, family-friendly activities, wine tasting for adults, and more, Solvang is truly a magical place to visit. Learn why Solvang is known as the Danish Capital of America and California’s Little Denmark. Once there, you’ll soon find out that there is no other place like it in the United States.
The Best of Solvang
Where is Solvang?
Solvang is in the Santa Ynez Valley, in the renowned Santa Barbara Wine Country. Less than a three-hour drive from Los Angeles, Solvang can be reached by car via U.S. Highway 101. At the Buellton exit from U.S. Highway 101, you would head east about 3.5 miles along California State Route 246. Within a short drive, you’ll start seeing Solvang’s impressive Danish architecture. While Solvang does not have a train station, it has an Amtrak train stop from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, or even Ventura.
Alisal Ranch
1054 Alisal Road
Solvang, CA 93463
(800) 425-4725
www.alisalranch.com
Just a few miles from downtown, Alisal Ranch is your finest lodging option in the immediate area of Solvang. A member of Historic Hotels of America, Alisal Ranch dates back to 1946 as a dude ranch with 30 accommodations. Today, the property encompasses over 10,000 acres, with 73 rooms, two golf courses and a swimming pool. While dining onsite is open only to guests, visitors can dine at both golf course restaurants. In addition to golf, including one public course, you can enjoy many family-friendly activities. This includes horseback riding, arts and crafts, tennis, pickleball, and bike rentals. Alisal Ranch is among the top luxury hotels in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Additional Lodging
Many other hotels, inns, and bed and breakfast establishments are within the city. You may like Mirabelle Inn, Svendgaard’s Danish Lodge, the Landsby, and Wine Valley Inn & Cottages. There are about two dozen hotels in Solvang, along with many more options in nearby Buellton. This includes the budget Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn, named after Buellton’s famous Andersen’s split pea soup company.
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Elverhøj Museum of History & Art
1624 Elverjoy Way
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 686-1211
www.elverhoj.org
Set in a residential section of Solvang, the Elverhøj is a museum of Danish culture and local history. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the museum occupies the former Danish farmhouse-style home of artists Viggo and Martha-Brandt-Erichsen. You will find many exhibits representing Danish culture, including collectible porcelain and Viking artifacts. Also on display are reenactment exhibits of a 19th-century Danish kitchen, artwork, and more. While admission is free, a donation box is available, with a suggested donation of $5. A small parking lot is onsite, with plenty of street parking nearby.
Hans Christian Andersen Museum
1680 Mission Dr.
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 688-2052
www.bookloftsolvang.com
It shouldn’t be surprising for you to find a museum dedicated to Denmark’s most famous writer. After all, you’re in the Danish Capital of America, and there’s even a local park named after him. Moreover, an excellent replica of Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid sculpture is just across the street. Located on the second floor of the Book Loft, you’ll see many artifacts related to H.C. Andersen, including rare books and artwork. This includes a lovely bust sculpture of the author, a vintage copy of Andersen’s Fairy Tales, and a photograph signed by Hans Christian Andersen.
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Old Mission Santa Ines
1760 Mission Dr.
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 688-4815
www.missionsantaines.org
Founded in 1804, Mission Santa Ines is the 19th of the 21 Spanish missions built in California. It’s also known as one of California’s best-preserved mission complexes and a National Historic Landmark. Today, Old Mission Santa Ines is still an active parish, with several events held year-round. Also onsite is a gift shop, and self-guided and docent-led tours are available for a small fee. She is sometimes known as the “Hidden Gem of the Mission,” Old Mission Santa Ines is named after Saint Agnus of Rome, a patron saint of girls, gardeners, and others. The entire Santa Ynez Valley comes from this early 19th-century Spanish mission.
Ostrichland USA
610 E Highway 46
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 686-9696
www.ostrichlandusa.com
If you’re traveling with children, OstrichLand USA is well worth visiting. Many visitors say this family-friendly attraction is a highlight of Santa Ynez Valley. Located on 33 acres along Highway 46 between Buellton and Solvang, OstrichLand features over 100 ostriches and emus. During your visit, you can take selfies with these beautiful birds and feed them at $1 per bowl. However, on busy days, the sale of these bowls may be suspended to prevent the overfeeding of the ostriches and emus. General admission is just $7, while the fee for the military is $5 and $12 for those 12 and under. In addition, there is a lovely gift shop and plenty of free parking onsite.
Shopping
Along with restaurants and bakeries, downtown Solvang has several great boutique stores. In some detail, you’ll find antiques, art galleries, souvenir shops, jewelers, and clothing stores. That’s to say nothing of specialty stores for things like wooden shoes, cuckoo clocks, shopping malls, and luxury spas. Many of your retail stores are located along Copenhagen Drive, the city’s main street. As for unique shopping recommendations, you might like Pebble People, Rasmussen’s, ESKO’s, and Vinhus, among others.
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Solvang Festival Theater
420 Second St.
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 686-1789
www.solvangtheaterfest.org
Operating for nearly 50 years, Solvang Festival Theater is the premier performing arts venue in Solvang. This 700-seat outdoor arena is the only one on the entire Central Coast of California. Home to some Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) performances in the summer, the theater also hosts world-class music performers nearly year-round. For instance, well-known acts like Tegan and Sara, Dave Mason, and Pablo Cruise have all appeared this year. In addition, the theater, led by the nonprofit Solvang Theaterfest, hosts a spring performing arts season and a Music in the Garden summer series. This landmark theater was built in just nine weeks, and a 50th-anniversary celebration will be held next year.
Solvang Trolley & Carriage Company
1618 Copenhagen Dr.
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 794-8958
www.solvangtrolley.com
Serving the community for nearly 60 years, this family-owned business offers motorized and horse-drawn trolley tours. Operating daily except Tuesdays, you can take a 25-minute tour of downtown Solvang while riding in a replica of a vintage Danish trolley. In addition, horse-drawn trolley tours operate on weekends and some holidays. However, these horse-drawn trolleys may not be available when temperatures rise over 90 degrees. Solvang Trolley Company also has an ice cream parlor with over 20 ice cream flavors at Hamlet Square.
Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum
320 Alisal Road
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 686-9522
www.motosolvang.com
Just a few blocks from the center of town, the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum features over 100 rare motorcycles. This includes famous motorcycle brands such as BMW, Motto Guzzi, Norton, Triumph, and Vincent. Located at Solvang Village Square, the museum is open on weekends, and admission is $10, while children ten and under receive free admission. However, it’s important to note that tickets are not available online, and admission is cash only. Founded in 2000, the museum is led by Virgil Elings, professor emeritus of physics at UC Santa Barbara, and his son Jeff. Also in Dr. Elings’ collection is a 1922 Megola front wheel drive motorcycle, once featured on Jay Leno’s Garage reality TV program.
What to Eat in Solvang
A visit to Solvang would only be complete with trying some excellent Danish food. First, you have great restaurants like Bit O’Denmark, Red Viking, and Viking Garden. However, famous Danish bakeries like Birkholm’s, Olsen’s, and Mortensen’s are equally important. Among the pastries you might want to try are butter cookies, kringle, aebleskiver (Danish pancakes), and spandauer (the Danish). That’s not to mention visiting food-centric shops like chocolatiers, wine and cheese boutiques, and cafes. If that’s not enough, there’s even a colorful tiki bar and Michelin-worthy restaurants like First & Oak, Peasants Feast, and Coast Range.
Windmills and Danish Architecture
As the Danish Capital of America, Solvang features windmills and several structures built in a traditional Danish style of architecture. The most famous of the six windmills is on Alisal Road, while the first was built in 1922 and is known as the Wulff Windmill. You have beautiful Danish architecture throughout the historic city center. For example, the Round Tower near the Alisal windmill replicates Copenhagen’s famous 17th-century Rundetaarn. At the same time, you can see more beautiful architecture, like Bit O’Denmark restaurant and Tivoli Gardens, which are named after Copenhagen’s iconic amusement park.
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Wine Tasting in Solvang
As a part of the famous Santa Barbara North County wine country, Solvang has many wineries and tasting rooms. For example, Rideau and Rusack are often said to be among the best wineries in the rolling hills of the Santa Ynez Valley. More than 70 vineyards are producing French grape varietals like cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. That’s nothing of over 25 wine-tasting rooms in downtown Solvang, particularly along Mission Drive and scenic Copenhagen Drive. While the choice for wine tasting is yours, some recommendations are Alma Rosa, McClain Cellars, and Toccata Tasting Room.
Bonus: Special Events in Solvang
Among the best times of year to visit Solvang is when its two major events are being held. First is Danish Days, California’s premier Danish heritage festival, held in late September. Over three days, you can see parades, live entertainment, food tours, and family-friendly activities. The 87th anniversary of Solvang’s Danish Days will be held September 20-22, 2024. During the holiday season, Solvang hosts Julefest, a monthlong festival with events like a parade, Christmas tree lighting, and a light and music show.
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About the Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University in 2012.
