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 SOLVANG
Solvang
offers contemporary amenities with Old World charm. It prides
itself on being a quiet retreat where life flows with the
richness and quality of traditional ways. In Solvang (which
means “sunny field” in Danish), the Danish Capital of America,
quaint, time-honored architectural styles create a walkable
village nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country. Tile
roofs are topped with replicas of nesting storks—considered
good luck tokens by the traditional Danish immigrants who
settled here in 1911. Many other happy traditions are remembered
and celebrated here as well: Danish Days, in September;
Winterfest, in November-December; The Taste of Solvang,
in March; and the Theaterfest Outdoor Summer Theater, from
June into October.
You’ll
find delightful, flower-lined streets brimming with more
than 200 unique shops featuring everything from collectibles
and antiques to Danish imports and handcrafted items. European
architectural styles include half-timbered buildings, thatched
and coppered roofs, leaded windows, and windmills catching
the breezes. Even the Little Mermaid, a half-scaled version
of Copenhagen Harbor’s resident statue, greets visitors
at Denmarket Square. Visitors find Solvang an ideal place
to stop and enjoy the fresh air, mild climate, and scenic
vistas while refreshing and recharging their spirits.
Cultural
attractions include the Hans Christian Andersen Museum,
the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art, the national landmark
1804 Mission Santa Inés, and the Vintage Motorcycle Museum.
The Solvang Theaterfest thrills summer audiences with world-class
performances under the stars. Visitors should bring their
imaginations, and a jacket or a warm blanket and be prepared
to enjoy drama, musicals, and comedy.
Solvang’s
safe and walkable streets offer the experience of being
in a European Village with no passport required. The gourmet
restaurants, wine shops, bakeries, confectioneries, and
ice-cream vendors will tempt visitors’ taste buds with savory
choices. The scent of fresh-baked goods will draw them into
any of the several authentic Danish bakeries. No visit would
be complete without sampling an Aebleskiver, a spherical
Danish pancake served with jam and powdered sugar.
A
trip through the Village via the “Honen” (hen), a replica
of a 1915 street trolley pulled by a pair of Belgian draft
horses, will highlight your day. The Honen is available
most weekends and holidays, and daily in the summer. For
the energetic visitor, the “Surrey Cycles” offer families
a pedal-powered tour of the quaint streets. Fun and relaxation
are hallmarks of a visit to Solvang.
Solvang
offers a variety of accommodations. From rustic ranch options
to family motels, from country inns to a themed B&B. Over
30 restaurants offer international fine dining in a variety
of venues. Wine tasting is conveniently available at nine
locations within the village. Visitors experience year-round
recreation, outdoor adventure, championship golf, and wine
country tours. The countryside of the Santa Ynez Valley
provides wildlife cruises on Lake Cachuma, winery tours,
horse ranches, and a selection of area parks.
Championship
golf is available at the Alisal River Course and Rancho
San Marcos, offering both challenge and spectacular views.
To the west, Zaca Creek offers nine holes in Buellton, and
the super-competitive La Purisima Golf Course lies on the
way to Lompoc on C.A. Hwy. 246.
The
Los Padres National Forest and state and county parks provide
scenic beauty and hiking opportunities. Nojoqui Falls County
Park offers a picturesque 75-foot waterfall, playground
area, horseshoe pits, barbeque areas and walking trails
making this 88-acre park a delightful daytime stopping point
(it’s open 8am to dusk).Many of the area’s lesser-traveled
roadways offer biking enthusiasts variety, relative serenity,
and ever-changing vistas. West of Solvang, a variety of
interesting attractions beckon, including an ostrich farm,
a llama ranch, wineries, another golf course, and the historic
La Purísima Concepción Mission, on the outskirts of Lompoc.
To the north and east lie Los Olivos art galleries, Lake
Cachuma nature cruises, hiking, fishing, camping, bike trails,
and the more than 50 award-winning wineries of the Santa
Ynez Valley. Santa Barbara is a 45-minute drive south on
U.S. Hwy. 101 with three oceanside state parks along the
way for camping and stunning sunset vistas.
Solvang Conference & Visitor Bureau
800-468-6765
www.solvangusa.com
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