Inland from Santa Barbara, Solvang offers a quaint small town to explore with Danish roots in the Santa Ynez Valley. The best of the Central California wine region, it’s a favorite weekend getaway, no matter the season. An easy trip from Southern California, it features Old World architecture, Danish food and festivals, paired with a small-town feel. Here are the Top Things to do in Solvang.
Top 17 Things to Do in Solvang
Learn About the Danish Community
Take a walking tour of Solvang
See the Little Mermaid Statue
Walk by the Rundetarrn
Spot a Windmill in Solvang
Do Danish-Inspired Shopping
Sample Danish Pastries
Eat at the Solvang Restaurant
Stop by Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates
Sip Santa Ynez Valley’s Wine or Beer
Tour the Old Mission Santa Inés
Visit the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art
Get a Seat at the Solvang Festival Theater
Visit the California Nature Art Museum
Stop by the Hans Christian Andersen Museum
Celebrate the Season with a Festival
Spend the Night in Solvang
Why is There a Danish Village in California
In 1911, a group of Danes living in the Midwest wanted to escape the brutal winters. After purchasing 9,000 acres from the Old Mission Santa Inés, they established Solvang, a Danish village in Central California.
First, they built traditional Danish farm-style buildings and farmed the land. For 40 years, they quietly lived until a reporter from the Saturday Evening Post discovered the Danish hamlet in 1947. Soon, Solvang, Danish for “sunny field,” enticed travelers from Los Angeles and beyond.
Solvang offers a vibrant community steeped in Danish culture and with royal ties to Denmark. Throughout the year, festivals celebrate their Danish roots, and girls wear red pinafores while dancing merrily in their clogs to folk music.
Top Things to Do in Santa Barbara
See the Little Mermaid Statue
During your visit, you will find many authentic Danish icons. On the main thoroughfare, at 1693 Mission Dr, a replica of Denmark’s national symbol, the Little Mermaid statue, has been erected.
The original sits along the water in Copenhagen. This is one of the top things to do in Solvang.
Walk by the Rundetaarn
More of Copenhagen’s most famous landmarks are scattered throughout Solvang. Originally built in the 17th century, the famous Rundetaarn is a 1/3 replica of the round tower used for astronomy by Christian IV.
Spot a Windmill in Solvang
Most people associate windmills with Denmark. There are several windmills in Solvang as well.
1618 Copenhagen Dr.
Mariposa Dr. and Alisal Rd.
1547 Mission Dr.
As the Danish Capital of America, the Danish Royal Family makes official royal visits. For Solvang’s centennial in 2011, HRH The Prince Consort Henrik of Denmark celebrated the historical, cultural and business ties between Denmark and Solvang, California.
Top Things to Do in Sacramento with Kids
Do Danish-Inspired Shopping
As I walked the tree-lined streets, I peered into the shop windows of the traditional half-timbered buildings. Under thatched roofs, I found shops stocked with traditional Danish costumes, Danish-made red clogs and authentic Danish Christmas ornaments.
Don’t think it’s all windmills and wooden clogs; Solvang keeps an eye to the future. With boutiques featuring modern Danish design, visitors can buy Danish-made products.
The Copenhagen House sells jewelry, modern home goods and LEGOs for the kids. It is located at 1660 Copenhagen Dr.
Jule Hus Christmas Shop offers Christmas ornaments year-round with a large selection of Danish-inspired ornaments. It is located at 1580 Copenhagen Dr.
Traditional Danish Food in Solvang
Danish food is a must for visitors in Solvang, starting with breakfast and sweets. It is one of the Top Things to do in Solvang with Kids.
Sample Danish Bakeries
Windmills lead the way to bakeries, tempting visitors with sugar-glazed pastries with layer after layer of buttery goodness. With five traditional bakeries in town, I sampled my way across Solvang.
Solvang Bakery
Topping my list of faves, I loved the Danish waffle at the Solvang Bakery, with a pair of flaky cookie-like layers filled with sweet cream and raspberries. It’s located at 428 Alisal Rd.
Mortensen Bakery
Located at 1588 Mission Dr.
Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery
Located at 1529 Mission Dr.
The Best 35 Things to Do in Lake Tahoe
Eat at the Solvang Restaurant
Another must-try is the Danish aebleskiver at the Solvang Restaurant. I loved the traditional Danish pancake balls sprinkled with powdered sugar and accompanied by raspberry jam. It’s located at 1672 Copenhagen Dr.
Mad and Vin boasts a popular happy hour where locals mingle with hotel guests to sample small plates along with the Santa Ynez Valley wines. Find it at 1576 Mission Dr., inside The Landsby Hotel.
Chomp calls out to families and burger lovers alike. It also blends up top-notch shakes and concocts coffee drinks. Find it at 1693 Mission Dr.
Stop by Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates
Looking for more temptations, I found my go-to indulgence: chocolate. At Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates, the chocolatier makes traditional treats with marzipan and truffles. It’s located at 1679 Copenhagen Dr.
Sip Santa Ynez Valley’s Wine or Beer
Enjoying a glass of wine on a sunny afternoon must be on your must-do list. Take the time to savor the richness of the Santa Ynez Valley wine. With close to 20 tasting rooms in Solvang within walking distance, you can sample the wines from across the region, I did.
Cooled by sea breezes and nestled among the mountain ranges, the area’s top crop is wine grapes. To tour the wineries, hop in a car and head minutes out of Solvang in any direction.
Beer connoisseurs fear not. Solvang brews craft beers and pairs them with traditional Danish sausage to transport travelers to the Old World. Imagine sitting outside on the patio sipping a pint and savoring the perfect California weather.
Best Beaches in Southern California
Enjoy Solvang’s Arts and Culture
To walk off my foodie sampling, I strolled through Solvang’s museums dedicated to Danish art, history, and culture.
Tour the Old Mission Santa Inés
The historic 1804 mission overlooks a valley with swaying amber grass on the edge of Solvang. As an original Catholic mission in California, it is part of the missions that dotted the coast from San Diego to San Francisco.
I took a moment to reflect in its outdoor gardens. The Old Mission Santa Ines offers a gift shop. Self-guided tours are available from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Adult (13+)admission is $8, kids (6 to 12) are $5, and kids 5 and younger enter for free.
It is located at 1760 Mission Dr. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Best 2-Day LA Itinerary
Visit the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art
The Elverhøj Museum of History and Art is dedicated to the history of Solvang. It also shares the culture of Danish culture, including costumes.
It’s located at 1624 Elverhoy Way. Open from Thursday through Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Adult admission is $5, and kids 12 and younger enter for free.
Get a Seat at the Solvang Festival Theater
As the seasonal home of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, the outdoor venue is a beacon for theater lovers. In a half-timbered theatre reminiscent of London’s Globe Theatre, I snuggled under a plaid blanket and enjoyed its production. For the rest of the season, it is a music venue hosting a range of acts.
It’s located at 420 2nd St. Advance tickets are required.
Visit the California Nature Art Museum
The California Nature Art Museum (the former Wildling Museum) features permanent and traveling nature art installations that tell the story of California’s landscapes. It also features a kids’ craft area.
It’s located at 1511 Mission Dr. Open from Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission is $7 and those 17 and younger enter for free.
Stop by the Hans Christian Andersen Museum
Located above the independent bookstore, The Book Loft. Visitors will find the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, a space dedicated to the patriarch of children’s literature.
Visitors can learn about the author while browsing his collections. It is one of the Top Things to do in Solvang.
It’s located at 1680 Mission Dr. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is free to enter.
Celebrate the Season with a Festival
With festivals sprinkled throughout the year, Solvang celebrates its rich culture and agricultural bounty. With mild weather year-round, the perfect time to visit is just a weekend away.
As the golden light of Autumn shines, and Solvang celebrates Danish Days. As a festival dedicated to its heritage, the celebration features parades, artisans, and folk dancing.
With the year drawing to a close, Solvang sprinkles tiny white lights and green garlands all over town, transforming the hamlet into one of the most Christmassy towns in the U.S. Enjoy the season at the month-long festival Julefest, which features traditional Danish food and a tree lighting.
Top Christmas Towns in the U.S.
Where to Stay in Solvang
During my visit to Solvang, I stayed in a boutique hotel ripped from the pages of an exclusive travel magazine. The Landsby offers guests a traditional Danish boutique hotel on a tree-lined street stocked with locally-owned shops.
The traditional Danish exterior of this 51-room boutique property pays homage to its Danish roots. So I found divided-light windows, exposed timbers, and a stucco exterior. Then, behind the front door, I entered a world where the Danish modern aesthetic gets cozy with a mix of rich textures and a palette of pleasing neutrals.
My room at The Landsby showcased a modern Danish design. The textiles created a cozy home base to explore Little Denmark. The modern furniture pieces make a design statement with wood grain. The wooden wingback headboard dominated the room, and the white cotton linens kept it fresh. Finally, the yellow accent pillow and a knitted throw added pops of color. And find a tiny lavender sachet printed with “Good night” in the middle of the mound of pillows.
It’s located at 1576 Mission Dr.
Consideration for brands and destinations. This article contains affiliate links.
Comments are closed.