This post is full of Solvang pictures! Enjoy!
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When people in a town located more than 100 miles from your house start to recognize and call you by your name, I believe you have been to that town way too many times.
My husband likes to say we are already locals in Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley. The area is not that far from home and while it can technically be visited as a day trip, we prefer to go for the weekend (or when we have three days free).
We like to use Solvang as a base. If you haven’t heard about this town, think about it as the “Danish Capital of the United States.”
Context
On 1911, a group of Danes (some of them educators) escaping the harsh Midwestern winters, founded the town on a land grant. They wanted to maintain their heritage and spread Danish culture. And, you know what? They have accomplished their goal. In 2011, Solvang celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The city is home to a number of bakeries, restaurants, and merchants offering a taste of Denmark. Museums showcase history, art, and culture. Folk traditions are celebrated during annual festivals. World famous plays are presented at the open air theater. Even the Queen of Denmark has visited!!!
Lately, the town has received an influx of new restaurants. And, let’s not forget about the many sweets enjoy in town (Danes are some of the biggest candy eaters in the world), from butter cookies to chocolates or from fruit tarts to aebleskivers.
Solvang Pictures
A lot of people we know despise Solvang. They refer to the “cheesy” architecture, the hoards of people and the traffic in a place where traffic should not exist.
To be honest, this is a popular place. Go during the holidays and the mass of human souls resemble something you would see in Las Vegas.
On the contrary, visit during the week or on a slow weekend and you would have the place to yourself. You would be able to eat a good meal, talk to residents (some of them now friends) and check a recommendation in the valley.
Even when the crowds invade the town, we know where to find a respite.
But, I do not have to convince you about the virtues of Solvang. Well, maybe I want to convince you. That is why I have put together this photo post. I’ll let you be the judge!
Visitor Center
Solvang has an excellent visitor center located at 1639 Copenhagen Drive. The staff will be more than happy to answer your questions and/or offer recommendations. I like to stop to pick up flyers offering dining, wine tasting and accommodation discounts.
Where to Eat
If you visit the Danish Capital of the United States, it is obligatory to try one of the many Danish delicacies found in town.
And, I am not ashamed to start the food section with dessert recommendations!
Solvang’s bakeries are one of the town main pulls. They sell butter cookies, butter ring coffee cake, cinnamon swirl bread, kringles, strudel, Danish waffles and a large selection of pastries. Olsen’s and Mortesen’s are good places to get your sugar fix. Other bakeries are located along Alisal Road and Copenhagen Drive.
The aebleskivers (think about them as a round pancakes) deserve a special mention. They are served in bakeries and restaurants. Also, a tube of butter cookies (3 pounds) is the perfect souvenir.
For breakfast, go to Paula’s Pancake House. They serve scrumptious Danish pancakes, Belgian waffles, Danish sausages and classic American favorites. This is a place I adore!
Other restaurants serve pickled herring, Swedish meatballs, Havarti cheese, open sandwiches, cured salmon, liver paste and sausages.
If you are not feeling the Danish vibe, you can stop by places such as Fresco Valley Cafe, Root 246 and Succulent Cafe. In my opinion, the best food in the area can be had at Industrial Eats in nearby Buellton. I recommend visiting this restaurant if you are a food lover.
Solvang Location
Solvang is located 35 miles from Santa Barbara, 70 miles from San Luis Obispo and 128 miles from Los Angeles.
From Santa Barbara, it is faster to reach Solvang using CA-154. This scenic route will take you through the San Marcos Pass and the Santa Ynez Mountains. You can also reach Solvang using US-101 (the freeway). This route affords incredible views of the Gaviota Coast, one of the largest undeveloped coastal areas in California.
A good idea is to take CA-154 to go to the town and return through US-101. If you are driving at night, I recommend taking the freeway.
Weather and Seasonality
As in other parts of California, the weather in Solvang is nearly perfect. During winter, high temperatures are around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers can get quite hot with maximum temperatures rounding the 90 degrees.
Keep in mind the minimum temperatures can be between 40-50 degrees. It is a good idea to dress in layers or carry a good jacket on your luggage.
Solvang is open for business all year round. Summers, the weekend after Thanksgiving and the period between Christmas and New Years are the busiest. In addition, local festivities can bring hundreds of visitors to the area. I prefer to visit during spring or fall (which is wine harvest season).
Parking
There are two big parking lots along Mission Drive. There is another lot on Oak Street. Street parking is widely available. All parking is free.
Accommodation Tips
Prices in Solvang and nearby towns like Buellton and Los Olivos have increased in the last 10 years. During the week, you should have no problem finding affordable accommodation. Now, everything goes up during weekends. If you want to get the best price possible, you need to book several weeks before you arrive in town.
I save money by staying at Lompoc, a city located 20 miles from Solvang, on the opposite side of the Santa Ynez Valley. Hotels are way cheaper in there. Once again, lock in a good rate by booking at least a week before your stay.
More of Solvang
Find more about Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley in my other posts
Solvang: A Piece of Denmark Close to Home
Los Olivos: Tiny Town with a Big Heart
The Backroads of the Santa Ynez Valley
Santa Ynez: Western Town Among Rolling Hills
More of Southern California
Find out how to spend one fun-filled day in Los Angeles
Get inspiration by reading my Los Angeles Ultimate Bucket List
Ultimate San Diego Bucket List
150+ Places to Go in Orange County
What is your favorite Solvang picture? Have you visited?
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Karilyn says
we stayed in solvang on our trip down from SF to LA when we moved a few years ago. It was such a cute little town, I wish we would have had more time there.
Ruth says
Cool! There are so many great small towns between the two big cities that is difficult to chose one.
Jen says
What a great little treasure! It looks like it would be a ton of fun to visit and spend some time in! I’m going to have to let my mom & her husband know about it so they can plan a trip.
Thank you for joining us again this week, and thank you for spreading the love to the other participants! I truly appreciate it!
Ruth says
Oh, yes!! It will be cool for your family to plan a trip to the area. I love participating in the weekly link up!
Jill says
I love Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley! Such Beauty! Have you been to the Bavarian look alike town of Helen in Georgia?
Ruth says
I have not heard of Helen, Georgia. Thanks for mentioning. When I think about Bavarian towns in the US, I think about Leavenworth, Washington. I haven’t been but a lot of people say it is great.
image-in-ing says
Delightful town – so clean and crisp and colorful and full of interest. I hope you’ll come share your wonderful photos at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/04/at-keyboard.html
Ruth says
Thanks for your comment and invitation. I added my post to the link.
Victoria @celebratetheweekend says
We had such a whirlwind journey through California last August- left Solvang for next time but did try Danish sweets at Anderson Bakery in Santa Barbara.
Ruth says
I read about your California trip. Good to see you guys are already thinking about coming back.Hey, I didn’t know Anderson Bakery was in Santa Barbara too. I have to check it out.
Esther says
This looks like an amazing place! I’d love to have a coffee there 🙂
Found you through #weekendwanderlust
Ruth says
Coffee and a pastry (at least one). It is hard to forgo the pastries in here.
Jessica @ Independent Travel Cats says
Oh I love Solvang too! It is a bit cheesy and touristy perhaps, but I love going on the off-season and spending a few days here. It is a great little town for a relaxing weekend – I’ve been a few times and am hoping to squeeze in one more trip before leaving California.
Anda says
I love Solwang and I wanted to write about it for a while, but you beat me to it. This is such a lovely place to spend a day.
Ruth says
Anda,
I would like to learn more about Solvang from your perspective. Let me know when you write your post. Thanks for stopping by.
Buckeroomama says
Looks like quite an interesting place to check out. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Ruth says
Yes, it is a great place to stop by and explore. It is better if you can stay for the night.
Laura says
Ruth, thanks for visiting “California’s Little Denmark” and sharing your wonderful images of our village! Please return again soon–and let us know!
Laura Kath, Media Relations Director
Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau
Ruth says
Hello Laura,
Thanks for stopping by! It is my pleasure to share my experiences and photos of Solvang. As I mentioned in the post, the town and the surrounding areas are becoming my second home.
SJ says
What a wonderful place – it’s the type of place my family and I would love to get to one day. Thanks for joining us for Sunday Traveler!
Ruth says
This is a perfect place for families. Thanks for stopping by.
arabesque says
I visited Solvang some 15 years ago!
That was with my family and some relatives then…
I guess some of the shops have changed already,
but the structures and the colorful houses are still the same!
Honestly, our 1 month vacation that year,
this part of town was one of my favorites. ^0^
Ruth says
I can understand why you enjoyed this part of town so much. There is a lot of fun to have and there are a lot of things to eat. And the surrounding pastoral areas are beautiful.
Adelina // Pack MeTo says
I passed through Solvang when I was a kid loads but I don’t really remember it. Such a cute town! I have a cup from there with my name on it though. That’s all I associate with the town haha!
Tami says
Any recommendations for good places to stay? I’m heading to Solvang in a month.
Ruth says
Tami,
In the budget to middle range range category, you have options like the Hamlet Inn (guests can use their bicycles), the Solvang Inn & Cottages and the King Frederick Inn. All these are in the center of town and usually give you a voucher to have breakfast at one of the Danish bakeries in town.
For the boutique hotel experience, you can go to the Alisal Guest Ranch, Hotel Corque, Wine Valley Inn or Solvang Gardens.
As expected, you can get really good rates during the week. Prices increase during the weekend.
Vero says
Hi, I will be in Solvang, next week ?
Sometime I need to see ? Lovely photos, I can’t wait to go
Ruth says
The town has lovely architecture, so, a walk around is a must (the town is small and you can walk it fast). The Santa Ynez Mission is in the city and you may want to stop by. Several restaurant sell Danish and Scandinavian food. On the sweet side, you may want to try the aebleskivers. The are tons of wine tasting rooms too. You may want to check Los Olivos if you are into wine tasting. What I love about the area is the opportunity it affords of talking to business owner, residents and other visitors. That makes me feel at home.
Emma says
Wow, it looks picture perfect. Who knew the US had a Danish capital?!
Amanda C Bowers says
This was the best town ever when we were in California. We arrived too late to visit on our way to Santa Barbara so we actually took some time from our days in SB to drive back over to Solvang. It was worth it! Not only did we love the drive, but the town was great!! We were happy to find Olsen’s was able to accomodate our kids food allergies and everyone got an authentic Danish.
corina says
hi, uh I would also be a frequent visitor of this town. there is nothing better then a good Danish pastry . Lovely and refreshing post.
Madhu says
Wow what an amazing place..loved all the pictures..looks like out of fairytale .
Carol says
The kitsch factor in Solvang is high and there’s nothing wrong with eating nothing but danish pastry for a long weekend getaway.
Amanda says
I always enjoy stopping in Solvang on my way up to San Luis Obispo. Acutally, I’ll be popping over in a month!
the Curious Pixie says
Looks like a wonderful place to visit. Solvang is now on my radar.
Sally says
Wish I had known about this place when we were in the USA last year, I would have loved to have visited it with our kids. The food sounds amazing. We had a German town in South Australia & the history is very much the same. Gets a lot of tourists during the winter.
Sly O’Connor says
Such a great post. My hubby and I just moved to the beautiful and peaceful city of Ventura 6mos Afi and I’ve been curious about the beautiful Danish city of Solvang which reminds us of Amsterdam and we’re Planning a trip out there I need the coming weeks. Maybe we can meet up and have lunch? We are definitely going to visit and thanks for all the tips!
Elaine Masters says
Solvang is pretty cute and I think that people who call it cheesey are being shortsighted. It’s a Nordic town! I also love visiting Buellton and find it an affordable alternative. Then there’s the Ostrich Park in between and the beautiful Mission Church. Love that area of California.