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Solvang Bakeries and Sweet Treats

In this article, we explore the sweet side of the Santa Ynez Valley by taking a look at the Solvang bakeries and other establishments selling sugary treats.

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I have always loved Danish butter cookies, the ones which come in a nearly impossible to open blue tin. My siblings and I were in trouble every time my Dad bought a tin.  We ended up grounded because of the fights emerging due to the difficult task of deciding how many each of our favorites we were going to eat.  I have always preferred the ones with the sugar crystals on top.

The battles and indecisions continued into adulthood.  I discovered my husband is obsessed with the cookies as well.  We have to set a limit on how many we are allowed to eat at a given time.  In our defense, I have to say the childish behavior is not our fault.  Why are those cookies so addictive?

Since those sweets make week on the knees, imagine my surprise when a hotel attendant gave me a bag of fresh butter cookies.  We were staying in Solvang, the Danish village located at the heart of Santa Barbara County. If the cookies coming in a tin are delicious, the freshly baked specimens are mega delectable.  They are melting in your mouth goodness.

This article discusses where to get all the scrumptious, sweet stuff in Solvang!

Danish Mill Bakery, Solvang, California

Solvang Bakeries

Solvang is full of authentic Danish bakeries.  The owners are third and fourth generation Danes that use centuries-old recipes and premium ingredients in their products.   In the small village, full of fairy tale like buildings, it is possible to enjoy flaky pastries, butter shortbread, kringles, marzipan, almond rings, cakes, cookies, tarts, and bread.  So, it is very easy to go pastry hunting (is that a thing?) in this beautiful town!

Here is a more detailed list of what you can find in town:

Butter Cookies – cookies prepared using flour, sugar, and butter.  They are exported from Denmark (mostly) on tins.  Even though I love the tin version, having the fresh cookies is a totally different experience.

Danish Pastries – Known as only “Danish” all over the world.  Round, puffy pastries with jam or custard in the middle.  Sugar icing is added on top.

Butter Ring Cake – Also known as the Seven Sisters Butter Ring.  Think about it as seven coffees cake rolls tied together.  Some versions use custard and/or almond paste

Kringles – big, rounded, stuffed (fruit, nuts, custard) pastry rolls. The roll is cut into pieces to create individual servings or portions.  Sometimes, kringles have a pretzel shape

Danish Style Raisin Bread

Danish Rye

Dark Limpa Bread – flavors include orange zest and caraway seeds

Cardamom Bread

Solvang bakeries sell sweets from other European countries too.  Get ready to find macarons, strudel, and napoleons.  In addition, you will find coffee, hot chocolate, sandwiches and salads on offer.

Danish Pastry

Danish pastries

Traditional Danish Bakeries

For authentic Danish sweets and bread visit the following bakeries:

Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery

One of the oldest and most popular bakeries in town.  They specialize in kringles, Danish pastries filled with every fruit you can imagine, cream puffs, butter ring cake, Danish waffles, pumpernickel, and cardamom bread, kransekage (tower made with individual pastry rings) and much more.  Don’t forget to get your tube of butter cookies (contains 5 dozen).

Location: 1529 Mission Drive

Olsen's Bakery Sign, Solvang, California

The Solvang Bakery

I call this place the fairy-tale bakery because of its pink facade and whimsy decor. They specialize in almond kringles, strudels, butter rings, owl eyes, fancy tarts, Napoleon hats and much more.

Location: 438 Alisal Road

 Danish Mill Bakery

Another place to get pastries and butter cookies.

Location: 1682 Copenhagen Drive

Danish butter cookies at Danish Mill Bakery, Solvang, California

Mortensen’s Danish Bakery

This family-owned business was founded by a baker from Copenhagen more than 40 years ago.  They have a spacious dining room where pastries and the drink of your choice can be had.  This is an excellent place to get breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Location: 1588 Copenhagen Drive

Birkholm’s Bakery and Cafe

Since this establishment is a cafe too, get prepared to find sandwiches, salads and other cold entrees.  They have an espresso bar and, of course, tons of pastries.

Location: 460 Alisal Road

Danish pastries at Olsen's Bakery, Solvang, California

Aebleskivers

These traditional Danish pancakes in a distinctive shape of a sphere deserve to be mentioned on their own category.  They are slightly toasted on the outside, soft on the inside and covered in raspberry jam and powdered sugar.

The little balls are one of the most famous things to try on Solvang.  Their photos are everywhere (they even are featured in postcards). I tried them at The Solvang Restaurant and have to say they were pretty good.

The Solvang Cafe a special window in the front from where you can order aebleskivers (think of a drive-thru for humans).  Therefore, you don’t have to sit down in a restaurant to enjoy the treats.

Another place to get them is the aptly named Ableskiver Café.

If you want to prepare aebleskivers at home, all the tools (special pan) and ingredients are sold around town.

Aebleskiever at The Solvang Restaurant, Solvang, California

 

Danish Chocolates

Ingeborg’s, the local chocolate factory was first opened in 1961. The traditional chocolate recipes were first brought to Solvang by Ingeborg Larsen, a chocolate dipper in one of Denmark’s largest chocolate factories.

Nowadays, 70 different types of handmade chocolates are offered.  You select what to try (or take home) or pick a box with an assortment of flavors.

Location: 1679 Copenhagen Drive

Sweet Breakfasts

If you are looking to start the day on the sweet side, restaurants such as Paula’s Pancake House and The Belgian Café have Danish pancakes, buttermilk pancakes, French Toast, crepes and Belgian waffle on the menu.

These are usually served with whipped cream, fruits and/or powdered sugar.

You can find a similar menu at Ellen’s Pancake House in Buellton.

Danish pancakes at Ellen's Pancake House, Buellton, California

Other Sweet Options

Wait! There is more!

Like I have not discussed enough bakeries, shops, and restaurants!  Well, I need to make this article comprehensive. Right?

Here are even more options to keep your sugar levels high.

Café Dolce – This store offers gelato, smoothies, vegetable juices, shaved ice, and coffee.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory – Popcorn, dipped apples and strawberries

Old Danish Fudge Kitchen – This establishment specializes in fudge but sells caramel apples, peanut brittle, salt water taffy and butter cookies too.

Swedish Candy Factory – They make and sell polkagris, a special variety of stick candy

Pattibakes – Awesome bakery in Buellton selling tarts, lemon bars, cupcakes, bread, and other baked goods

IMG_4909

 

More about Solvang

If you are spending some time in Solvang or visiting for a day, I recommend you take a look at my detailed article on Things to Do in Solvang.

If you need a bit more convincing to visit, here are two of my photo posts:

Solvang Pictures: The Danish Village of my Dreams

Solvang Images: A Piece of Denmark Close to Home

Location

Solvang is located 35 miles from Santa Barbara, 70 miles from San Luis Obispo and 128 miles from Los Angeles.

By car, the town can be accessed through US-101 or CA-154. Both routes are scenic.

The closest airport and train station are located in Santa Barbara.  If you arrive in the area by one of those methods, you will need to reach the Santa Inez Valley by rental car, public transportation or guided tours.

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.

Nearby Towns

The Santa Ynez Valley is full beautiful towns. Combining a visit to Solvang with other towns in the area is a good idea.

Los Olivos – probably my favorite town in the valley.  Find wine tasting rooms, gardens, and nice restaurants.

Los Olivos: A Tiny Town with a Big Heart

Los Olivos in Photos

Santa Ynez – this is the cowboy town of the valley

Buellton – another small town with good restaurants and several tasting rooms

Lompoc – this town located 20 miles from Solvang is known for its flower fields, downtown murals, wine ghetto, and beaches.

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 pick from the different Solvang Bakeries? Have you visited this town?

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Things to do in #Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley – Travel tips and vacation ideas - Solvang, is full of authentic Danish bakeries. In the small village, it is possible to enjoy flaky pastries, butter shortbread, kringles, marzipan, almond rings and bread. This article discusses where to get all the scrumptious, sweet stuff in Solvang! #SantaBarbara #California

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Technically, the sign itself is blocked off (and don’t even try to jump the fence) so you are hiking to right behind and above the sign. Still, this is the closest you can get to the sign being able to get so up and close to the iconic monument is such a cool experience! The hike starts inside Griffith Park, from where you can take the Brush Canyon trail. It is a 6.5 mile out and back hike, and is rated moderate difficulty with an 1100 foot elevation gain. Allow about 2 1/2-3 hours to complete the hike. Also be aware that there is hardly any shade on the trail and it tends to get really hot, really fast, so be prepared and carry lots of water with you. Read More: One Day in LA: Itinerary for First-Time Visitors 2 Days in Los Angeles: Downtown-Based Itinerary Self-Guided Multicultural Tour of Los Angeles By Team Hazard Rides Again LA is incredibly diverse. There are people here from every corner of the Earth and LA is happy to give each culture its due. Tim and I once went to 3 cultural events in a single weekend – and we weren't even trying hard. On Friday night we went to a chamber music concert at the big Downtown Library. On Saturday night we were in Hollywood to see Amadou and Mariam, a blind couple from Mali who rocked the Afro-pop scene at the El Rey Theater. And on Sunday we were in Chinatown for a big cultural celebration. There is no single recipe for doing a cultural tour of Los Angeles. There are just too many options. But here are some places to look so you can put together your own multicultural tour of Los Angeles. There are neighborhoods throughout the city like Little Tokyo, Olvera Street, Little Ethiopia, Little Bangladesh and Chinatown, just to name a few. Some of them are a bit touristy, but still fun and there are also many unnamed enclaves where various cultures flourish. They often hold festivals as well. And Long Beach seems to have a festival for something every other week. Keep an eye on local calendars. There are also exhibits and performances exploring different cultures all over town. The Craft and Folk Art Museum on Wilshire almost always has something culturally unique going on, as does the Fowler Museum on the UCLA Campus. You can also check out the USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena. Again, to name just a few. Then there are the performances, like Amadou and Mariam we mentioned above, or Prince Diabate whom we saw in some tiny club in Santa Monica. One of the best places to look for these more eclectic events is the LA Weekly. LA's multiculturalism is one of its most awesome features and it's something not to be missed if you're visiting the city. It's easy to stack events that are near you or that suit the dates of your visit. It's LA. There's always something going on! Hike in Joshua Tree National Park By Julie from Family Travel Lifestyle While California is famous for National Parks like Yosemite and the Redwoods, one of our lesser-known parks, Joshua Tree, offers fantastic hiking in a unique desert environment. Located in southern California – just east of Palm Springs, and less than a 3-hour drive from San Diego – Joshua Tree offers numerous trails at every level of hiking. What I love about Joshua Tree is that it isn’t as crowded as many other parks and it’s smaller which means you can do a one-day visit and still get in some great hikes and really feel as though you saw the park. Also, this park offers a lot of loop trails, which I tend to prefer to the ‘out and back’ trails. One of the most popular and can’t-miss trails in Joshua Tree is the Skull Rock loop. It’s pretty easy, good for all levels including children, and you get to see the famous and giant Skull-shaped boulder. There’s a great kids’ nature walk called the Discovery Trail that’s less than a mile if you have really little ones. The bigger hikes offer a great variety of sights. There are several hikes up to different peaks, with outstanding views of the mountains and desert. You can hike out to a palm tree oasis or walk through the boulders and include a little scrambling on your hike. The one thing to watch out for is the heat – it’s no joke at Joshua Tree, so come prepared and enjoy! VIsit the Sunny Jim Sea Caves By April from SoCalFunFamily La Jolla is known for the locals who hang around the beach. And no, I am not talking about the hodads, you know, non-surfers, but the friendly seals lounging right there on the sand. It’s also known as an incredibly fun family area, for its good food, and having the coolest sea caves. However, there is only one cave you can explore without a kayak. And that cave is only accessible through Sunny Jim’s Cave Store. From the exterior it looks just like any other beach themed gift shop, but upon further review you might see the long dark tunnel leading what looks like directly into the ground. This is the access to Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave, which was dug out in 1902. To reach the bottom you will pay $5 for adults, and $3 for children, walk down 145 dark, narrow stairs and come out on a damp wooden platform to take in the waves and views from below. This hidden gem is a unique experience if you are in the area. But, make sure to mingle with the locals on the shore below and check out the free, smaller caves right there as well. Read More: One Day in San Diego Pedal Boat At Lake Murray By Martina from Stack Your Dollars One of the best and most relaxing things to do in sunny San Diego is to take a ride on the water at Lake Murray. On a hot day, getting on a pedal boat is a great way to get a nice breeze and cool off. You’ll also be putting those leg muscles to work and getting in some fun exercise! Lake Murray is a 171 acre reservoir with a 3.2 mile shoreline; it can be found on the border of San Diego, La Mesa, and Santee. To rent the pedal boat, you have to go into the concession stand by the parking lot. It costs about $15 to rent per hour, with an additional $15 for a deposit. The boat fits about 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. This low-cost activity is a great way to get out and have fun. It allowed my family to stick to our very frugal budget. If you would prefer, there are also kayaks, canoes, row boats, and motor boats. However, the pedal boat is my favorite because it also has a canopy to block the sun! Whale Watch in Newport Beach By Rebecca from KwaFare One of the most thrilling outdoor experiences you can have in California is to get up close and personal with some of the largest animals on earth. Whale watching in Southern California can put you right in the migratory path of humpback, minke, fin and gray whales. Even orcas are spotted from time to time, as well as sperm whales and blue whales, the largest animal to have ever lived. An excellent spot for whale watching is Newport Beach, which is only about an hour from LAX airport or downtown Los Angeles. Newport Beach is a cozy community where you’ll find Balboa Pier and Island and some great beaches. My go to whale watching company here is Davey’s Locker. And for good reason. First, they regularly have sales for their whale watching tours on Groupon. So, for about the price of a movie ticket you can take a front row seat to these magnificent creatures for over a couple of hours. But what I really enjoy is hearing the excitement of the crew every time we get to see a whale out at sea. This testifies to just how electrifying it is to witness these deep sea giants in their natural habitat. Despite how many times they get to see them, every time it’s a thrill. And the thrill is definitely contagious. You just never know what you are going to see when you get out on the boat. However, if you want to up your chances of sighting whales go out during their migration times. In general, winter and spring are great times to see gray whales, humpback and minke whales. And summer and fall are ideal for blue whales, finbacks, orcas and sperm whales. So whether you find yourself in the middle of a pod of hundreds of dolphins or next to an enormous blue whale, this is one of those things to do in California that is not to be missed! Visit the Center of the World By Theresa from The Local Tourist Just inside the border in the southeast corner of the state, you can put your toes on the officially designated Center of the World. Felicity, California, is home to the Museum of History in Granite and the Center of the World and is a destination worth a visit that's a whole lot less kitschy than it sounds. In 1985, Jacques-André wrote a children’s book titled “Coe: The Good Dragon at the Center of the World.” Somehow, this Frenchman and Father of American Parachuting convinced the Imperial County Board of Supervisors and Institut Géographique National, the French Mapping Agency, that property he owned in Imperial County should be declared the Center of the World. You can visit this town, population two, and not only make a wish inside a pyramid but also browse granite tablets etched with history. They're designed to last 4,000 years and the goal is that they'll preserve the entirety of humanity for millennia to come. It's a quirky destination with a noble promise, and should definitely be on any southern California itinerary. ATV in the Imperial Sand Dunes By Kay from The Awkard Traveler It isn't general knowledge, but California has sand dunes. Some of the best California sand dunes are found in Southern California. Specifically, the Imperial Sand Dunes State Park right near the border of Mexico. Winter is arguable a better season to visit, especially when summer temperatures can easily reach over 110F. But that also means winter is the most busy time to visit. So, pick your poison. From San Diego, the drive is about 2.5hours, 2 hours from Palm Springs, and 3 hours from Los Angeles, making the Imperial Sand Dunes an easy day trip if you do not want to stay nearby. However, there are camping and RV options at the state park! To enter the park, permits are required from October 1 through April 15 each year. Permits are $35 per week in advance and $50 per week if purchased onsite. Season permits are $150. America the Beautiful National Park pass also counts for this park. Once you are all settled into the park, you're ready to ride! But before you get into your off-highway vehicle (whether it is ATV or a bike, or other), make sure to remember the basics. Wear a protective helmet, pay attention to "closed to vehicle signs," and tall visible red flags are REQUIRED on your vehicle for visibility and safety! There you have it! Tons and tons of ideas on things to do in California. Hope you find this article useful when planning your next getaway! More of California Los Angeles Ultimate Bucket List Weekend Getaways from Los Angeles Ultimate San Diego Bucket List 150+ Places to Go in Orange County Places to Visit in Santa Barbara What are your favorite things to do in California? Let me know in the comments section below. Pin “Things to Do in California” for later!, Pigeon Point LighthouseThings to Do in California: Golden State Best

Comments

  1. Roberta Loufek says

    Yummy! When I lived in southern CA I visited Solvang, and your post and photos make me wish I was there this morning for breakfast. They also have lots of great kitchen/cooking things for sale – beautiful pots, cookie jars, and such. Thanks for your post.

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      Solvang is amazing. It is like being in another country and another era. Definetly, there is a large variety of beautiful things for shopping aficionados.

      Reply

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