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City in California, United States
Photo: bossco, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Southern California town of Solvang is Danish-themed as if it were the Danishland section of Disneyland, since it was founded by Danish immigrants and quite a few Danish descendants live here. While the tourism industry does try to import genuine Danish culture and architecture, it can be just skin deep. If you have a last name that is common in Denmark, still expect the desk clerk at the hotel to be unable to spell it.
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The 19th of the 21 California Spanish missions, founded in 1804 by Father Estevan Tapis, who succeeded Fermin Lasuen as head of the mission system. It was built between Missions Santa Barbara and La Purisima at the site of the Chumash settlement Calahuasa. It served as a seminary during secularization, and restoration efforts began in 1904 by Alexander Buckler and later the Capuchin friars. Some of the original adobe building material is visible in places. Catholic Masses take place regularly.
Delve into a bit of Danish culture and history.
Live out your own fairy tale.
Vintage motorcycles across all makes with a focus on racing.
This festival has been held nearly every year since 1936 and typically lasts from Friday-Sunday during the third weekend in September. The festival features eating contests, Danish maids, raffles, parades, Viking demonstrations, Danish musicians and dancers, and family entertainment.
Get in a round of golf at the lovely riverside course.
At your choice of over 100 wineries in the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley is offered daily, typically from 10AM to 5PM (learn about wine country from the Vintner's Association). Don't drive, instead, take advantage of one of many reliable wine tour companies. Most will pick you up right at your hotel lobby and take you out or a full day of tasting with a knowledgeable guide. The typical tour includes tasting at four wineries and a picnic lunch set up for you in wine country.
Offers daily tasting tours and focuses on hospitality, comfort, and flexibility. Guides are accommodating, the shuttles are roomy, and unlike most other services, the Grapeline does not limit the winery choices to a handful of "preferred partner" wineries, so winery requests are encouraged and every trip can bring new discoveries.
For the more rugged types who like the sun on their shoulders and the wind in their faces. Open air jeeps are more fun, if the weather is right, which is often the case in the mild coastal climate. Beyond winery knowledge, Cloud Climber guides pride themselves in knowing the area history, plant and wild life.
In a town full of twee tat, Brød & Kage stands out with its clean, modern look that wouldn't look out of place in the real Copenhagen. Coffee, cookies and pastries, including some modern spins like guava & cream cheese danishes. Lovely shaded courtyard out in the back, away from the madding crowds.
Likely the best-known of Solvang's many bakeries, as attested by the queue just to get in. Apple strudel, butter cookies, kringle and more.
Offers Danish and American classics.
Boasts the best aebleskievers in town.
A local breakfast institution.
In nearby Los Olivos started out as a stagecoach stop and now serves fresh California cuisine and local wines.
Solvang's largest patio dining restaurant. Housed in an actual greenhouse structure and family run. A local and tourist favorite.
Perhaps best known among Santa Barbara wineries for their excellent dessert wines. They have a picnic area for wine tasting.
A pretty tasting room, featuring some of the finest of Santa Barbara County wines. They grow 25 grape varietals on their 400 estate acres. Open from 11-5:30 daily and later on Friday evenings throughout the summer.
A family-run inn. The owners live on-site and see to the upkeep of the hotel's amazing gardens. Breakfast is served in the main building.
Offers relaxation and comfort with spacious and beautifully designed lodging accommodations with décor that honors Santa Barbara's wine country.
Forty designer guest rooms and suites, heated pool and spa and each room has a private balcony or patio.
Stock up on fruits and veggies at the farmers market. Take your purchases to the adjacent park for a picnic.
Sells a selection of European imported groceries. A hearty selection of international wines, cheeses, and condiments are complemented by tea service items. Stop here to gather ingredients for a picnic. Make sure to chill your bottle in the wine bath before you leave.
By plane
Santa Barbara and Santa Maria are the nearest airports. Both are small; the nearest large airports are in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
By train
Although Amtrak doesn't serve Solvang directly, Amtrak Thruway coaches connect the town to the train station in Santa Barbara three times daily, where the Pacific Surfliner service stops.
By bus
The Clean Air Express connects Solvang to Goleta but is of little practical use to tourists.
Downtown Solvang is very compact and walkable; however, it is advisable to have a car to explore the surrounding area, and because the most convenient way to get into town is by car, you are likely to have one during…
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Santa Barbara · Regional · SBA
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