14 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN SOLVANG, CALIFORNIA
As the cool SoCal breeze blows, the enduring Danish windmills flip gently above the tranquil streets of Solvang, California. Instead of tolerating greater than a 12-hour flight to Copenhagen, Solvang makes an incredible day journey from Los Angeles, the place you’ll see how this small city makes you are feeling such as you’re within the “world’s happiest nation.”
Experience Danish tradition and watch because it involves life by genuine Scandinavian flavors, structure that appears immediately imported from the homelands, and iconic landmarks that anybody who’s been to Denmark would immediately acknowledge. See a number of the high issues to do in Solvang that genuinely makes it California’s “Little Denmark.”
EXPLORE DOWNTOWN SOLVANG
If you’ve by no means been to Denmark, Downtown Solvang is the closest factor you may get to it in SoCal. Massive windmills fan elegantly alongside conventional Danish structure, housing a number of the city’s trendiest boutique outlets.
Sightseeing excursions in Solvang are greatest began on the iconic scale mannequin of Copenhagen’s Rundetårn windmill, adorned with a white coat and big redwood blades. It’s certainly one of many landmarks impressed by the Danish capital. Another is the Little Mermaid Fountain statue in Denmarket Square, which is a reproduction of 1 discovered on the rocky cliffsides in Denmark.
Browse landmark present outlets like Rasmussen, the place you’ll encounter vibrant kitchen units whereas looking for Danish wares. Or admire the Scandinavian crafts adorning the cabinets of Jule Hus.
Connect with the native Danish tradition whereas exploring downtown at websites just like the Hans Christian Andersen Statue, honoring the Danish literary icon, or seeing unique works in one of many many artwork galleries.
Details: Website
SAMPLE DANISH EATS
With every thing from juicy meat dishes to savory desserts, Solvang isn’t any stranger to vacationers arriving searching for what makes it a culinary hotspot. Local eating places are your style buds’ passport to Denmark, the place you’ll get an genuine style of Europe.
The scent of freshly baked napoleons and chocolate éclairs invite hungry vacationers into the Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, the place most patrons go away with the signature aebleskiver. Feel the candy Dutch raspberry jam bursting into your mouth with each chunk from these bite-sized pancake balls.
In the night, sit out on the deck of the Copenhagen Sausage Garden. Plates of the Medisterpølse, a conventional Danish boiled sausage with its faint nutmeg taste, make the right essential course, earlier than ending it with a sugar-coated kringle.
STEP BACK IN TIME AT ELVERHOJ MUSEUM OF HISTORY & ART
You’ll set your clocks again extra than simply an hour when you step contained in the Elverhoj Museum of History & Art. The house is simply as a lot part of the customer expertise because the inventive creations exhibited inside it.
Beautiful flora strains the cobbled roundabout resulting in the Elverhoj Museum. Can you consider that your entire constructing was constructed with out utilizing any nails or screws? The unique aesthetics of this 18th-century Scandinavian-style farmhouse have been saved intact, which is clear while you’re navigating the quaint rooms.
Colorful Danish people artwork decorates the partitions, accompanied by artistic endeavors by artists from Solvang, Denmark, and past. In addition, the museum contains ornamental china, amber jewellery, conventional clothes, literature, and different exhibitions exploring Solvang’s historical past.
Details: 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang, CA 93463 | Website
FEED THE BIRDS AT OSTRICHLAND USA
Located within the coronary heart of the Santa Ynez Valley lies certainly one of solely 5 ostrich farms in California. Feeding ostriches as a bucket checklist merchandise is extra widespread than you suppose, which is why OstrichLand USA is likely one of the high issues to do in Solvang.
You’ll come head to head with these flightless birds as they stare again at you with the most important eyes of any chook. More than 100 ostriches and emu are saved within the fields of this sanctuary, and their shy whines imply that it’s time for feeding.
Pay the additional buck on the entrance to seize a bowl of meals to feed the birds. See a small flock take turns jabbing their heads into the bowl or attain excessive over the gate to see their lengthy necks stretch up and obtain the not possible.
Details: 610 E Hwy 246, Solvang, CA 93463 | Website
SEE THE SITES FROM THE SOLVANG TROLLEY
Nothing beats having an area information take you round a spot like Solvang, with hidden gems ready to be found en path to common landmarks. But as a substitute of chauffeuring your self round in an Uber, go for the Solvang Trolley as a substitute.
All in regards to the “Honen!” This conventional 1915 Danish carriage is led by rescued Belgian draft horses standing in consideration in entrance of the native customer middle, ready to present passengers a pleasing trip round downtown.
For 25 minutes, your driver will entertain you with tales about Solvang’s Danish roots whereas stating eating places, outlets, and fountains you’ll certainly be including to your must-see checklist. Be positive to seize tickets early as a result of they promote out steadily.
And don’t neglect to save lots of your trolley ticket as a result of it earns you particular reductions round city!
Details: 1618 Copenhagen dr., Solvang, CA 93463 | Website
TAKE THE KIDS TO HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN PARK
Strut regally beneath the white citadel arches whereas getting into the Hans Christian Andersen Park for a day full of outside enjoyable. The scenic grassy fields set in opposition to a distant mountain backdrop make the right setting for recreation or leisure for all ages.
You can watch as your children method the castle-like playscape on the brink of use all of the power they’ve been saving all day.
Trade within the playful screams of youngsters on the playscape with the tranquil sounds of birds chirping within the overhead oak tree cover whereas going for a stroll on the character path that circles across the playground.
Details: 633 Chalk Hill Rd, Solvang, CA 93463 | Website
TAKE IN THE TALENT AT THE WILDLING MUSEUM OF ART & NATURE
Cruise down Mission Drive till a definite pink brick cylinder constructing catches your consideration. Home to the Wildling Museum of Art & Nature, it’s arduous to overlook!
Nature’s magnificence reveals itself earlier than navigating the elegant gallery areas within the museum. It creates a conventional rustic viewing expertise with polished hardwood flooring and uncovered ceiling beams.
Admire the tremendous artwork nature work, prints, and images exhibited on the primary ground, with works exhibited prior to now, together with Ansel Adams and Ray Strong. On the second ground, you’ll get to grow to be the artist with hands-on crafts like making postcards. Lastly, see the longer term technology of artists with kids’s works exhibited on the third ground.
Details: 1511-B Mission dr., Solvang, CA 93463 | Website
CUDDLE WITH A BOOK AT THE HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN MUSEUM
Inspired by the person who stated, “To travel is to live,” it’s solely becoming that the Hans Christian Andersen Museum is a well-liked vacationer exercise whereas visiting Solvang. Relive childhood reminiscences of studying basic fairy tales like The Little Mermaid, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and The Ugly Duckling at this area devoted to the famed Danish creator who wrote them.
The Book Loft has been a staple within the Solvang neighborhood for greater than 5 a long time, however many individuals begin their go to upstairs within the area designated because the Hans Christian Andersen Museum. See memorabilia, letters written to the creator, a scale mannequin of his home, and editions of his books in a number of the many languages they’ve been translated in.
Details: 1680 Mission dr., Solvang, CA 93463 | Website
SAVOR THE FINDS AT THE SOLVANG VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM
Based on the modest orange and blue picket signal hanging outdoors the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, you might not understand the wonderous bikes that may be discovered contained in the unassuming constructing. But you’ve obtained to go!
Turn right into a motorhead as you stroll across the open ground plan adorned with greater than 95 bikes. The museum looks like an intimate invitation into the eagerness of Virgil Elings, who spent twenty years curating a set of uncommon bikes. Rows of uncommon and classic Harley Davidson street bikes, Honda racers, Japanese and European bikes may be seen right here. Some bikes that look futuristic, whereas others have been saved preserved.
You’ll go away a bike skilled after studying dozens of data plaques for the bikes.
Details: 320 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463 | Website
APPRECIATE THE ARCHITECTURE OF MISSION SANTA INES
As you’re making your means by California’s 21 missions, Solvang is an opportunity to see one of many best-preserved missions. Mission Santa Inez introduced the Spanish mission to the Santa Ynez Valley, the place this construction was constructed to transform indigenous peoples to Christianity.
Built within the early 1800s, this mission is a wonderful instance of conventional Spanish structure with its impartial beige façade, arched home windows, and Spanish tiled roof.
Take a while admiring the outside structure earlier than getting into the construction. When not in service, the energetic church affords guided excursions to present guests a better take a look at the intricate particulars of the constructing, and the craftmanship that saved it preserved for therefore a few years.
ENJOY THE FALLS AT NOJOQUI FALLS PARK
Witnessing the gorgeous white ribbon streams of water dropping 80 toes at Nojoqui Falls is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Solvang — however you must hike to it! A nature path leads you lower than a mile into the forest to see this pure surprise.
Visit through the spring to expertise Nojoqui Falls at its full power. Take a refreshing bathe after your hike by standing under the falls within the clear swimming pools on the foot of the moss-covered cliff.
Don’t rush out of the park after testing the waterfall. Nojoqui Falls Park has loads of greenspace, good for letting the children and pets run round. There’s additionally a playground, shaded benches, and a picnic space.
Details: 3250 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463 | Website
CATCH A PLAY OUTDOORS AT SOLVANG FESTIVAL THEATER
The old-world Danish structure of the Solvang Festival Theater delivers world-class theatrical spectacles filled with appearing, singing, dancing, and extra. And with an upcoming multi-million-dollar improve, the viewing expertise is about to grow to be much more particular.
See proficient native actors carry out your favourite performs, together with classics like Mamma Mia, Adam’s Family, and The Nutcracker, and in addition fashionable productions like Shrek. The PCPA productions placed on every day exhibits listed on the theater’s entrance wall earlier than descending into the bowl-shaped outside amphitheater.
On busy nights, the Solvang Festival Theater holds as much as 700 folks.
Details: 420 2nd St, Solvang, CA 93463 | Website
SAMPLE THE WINE
Although Solvang’s native wine scene was placed on the map after the comedy movie “Sideways” gained an Oscar, its timeless flavors have at all times captivated wine connoisseurs indulging within the spirits of Santa Barbara County. The sprawling wine nation options 20 wine tasting rooms for 125 space vineyards.
Treat your self to a wine tour of a number of the high vineyards within the area, every with its personal specialties. First, go to Rusack Vineyards, the place completely organized grape timber line Ballard Canyon. After the tour, pattern its signature Pinot Noir or different pink wines.
Next, head to Royal Oaks Winery, the place skilled sommeliers enable you select between a pattern flight of fruity dessert wines or a mixture of reds and whites. Stop by Lucas & Lewellen and revel in a tasting both indoors or outside. Lastly, while you’re trying to decide up just a few bottles to go, Buttonwood farm Winery & Vineyard has a wonderful number of a few of Solvang’s most interesting spirits.
NEXT LEVEL SAMPLING
Solvang Taxi and Wine Tours are the most recent buzz amongst vacationers trying to take their wine sampling expertise to the following degree. You’ll get the VIP remedy as you embark on a wine tasting tour curated to your tastes.
Several tour operators present non-public wine excursions. Visit the most effective wineries specializing in Chardonnay or serenade your palate with sips of Syrah in a guided tasting expertise. The first-class tour permits you to and your teams benefit from the consolation of getting a delegated driver who provides you with an interactive expertise by conversations with the winery homeowners. Some of the excursions even embody picnics.
Private wine excursions are far more immersive, bringing you into the native wine world and connecting with the folks upholding its world-renowned repute.
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO CALIFORNIA
WHERE TO STAY IN SOLVANG
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