SOLVANG, CALIFORNIA: TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE DANISH CAPITAL OF AMERICA
If I told you California was home to a European village, would you believe me? Well, welcome to Solvang, a Southern California gem straight out of a Denmark postcard where streets are lined with colorful old buildings, gabled rooftops and timber-framed homes. It’s hard to believe this place sits less than an hour from Santa Barbara. It packs all the feels of Europe into five pedestrian-friendly blocks, making it the ideal day trip or long weekend escape. Below is my complete guide to the Danish Capital of America including the best places to visit, Danish bakeries, shops, hotels, restaurants, ice cream and more.
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There are so many Danish bakeries scattered throughout the little village.
HOW MANY DAYS IN SOLVANG?
ONE TO TWO DAYS. Spanning a mere five blocks, the compact size of Solvang serves up the perfect day trip destination. It doesn’t take more than a few hours to explore, but it’s worth staying an extra night to round out a visit with a couple good meals, and a visit to a local winery. Additionally, the close proximity to Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara make it an ideal home base for day trips around the region.
The Solvang Windmill is one of the most iconic spots in town.
WHEN TO VISIT SOLVANG
The Southern California climate is pretty good year round, but for the best chances of warm weather and sunshine, plan a visit May through September. Solvang is busiest on Saturdays and Sundays when tourists drive in for the weekend – better to visit on a weekday to avoid crowds and nab lower hotel prices.
It’s like a real-life Disneyland.
EXPLORE SOLVANG
BICYCLE RIDES
One of the most popular ways to explore Solvang is by bicycle. Several of the small inns in town provide bicycles for guests (the red bikes at Hamlet Inn are the cutest). Bikes can also be rented from Wheel Fun Rentals and Dr. J’s Bicycle Shop.
BLUE WINDMILL
It’s a bit of a scavenger hunt to locate all six of the city’s iconic windmills. The Blue Windmill is an easy one to spot thanks to it’s pastel blue design. It dates back to 1964, and sits at the intersection of Copenhagen Drive and Second Street, at the entrance to Hamlet Square.
BOOK LOFT
It’s a rare, special thing to find an independent bookstore these days, and this treasure has been a fixture of Solvang since 1970. The Book Loft is a must-visit for both bibliophiles and casual readers. The ground level is filled to the brim with new books, and you’ll find used books upstairs.
ROUND TOWER
This one-third sized replica of Rundetaam, the famous Round Tower in Denmark, sits directly behind the Solvang Windmill. It’s a quick stop, and currently home to Tower Pizza.
SOLVANG WINDMILL
Of the six Danish windmills in town, the Solvang Windmill at the intersection of Copenhagen Drive and Alisal Road is the most iconic. It towers over Solvang Bakery, and makes for one of the most popular photo stops in town.
WALK THE VILLAGE
It’s very easy to navigate the village on foot, and it’s the best way to experience Solvang. The picturesque village streets are lined with colorful timber buildings that are home to bakeries, museums, souvenir shops and restaurants. Feels a bit like walking through an Old Town in Europe.
WINE TASTING
Most of the Solvang wineries are small and family-owned with tasting rooms in town including Crawford Family Wines and McClain Cellars. For a fuller experience, both Buttonwood Farm & Vineyards and Rideau Vineyard do on-site tours and tastings at the wineries.
My favorite street sign in town is for Copenhagen Drive.
SOLVANG’S FAMOUS BAKERIES
- Birkholm’s Bakery
- Danish Mill Bakery
- Mortensen’s Danish Bakery
- Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery
- Solvang Bakery
Scenes from Solvang.
SOLVANG HOTELS
The Hadsen Solvang is part of Hilton brand Tapestry Collection. The property underwent a complete overhaul a few years ago with extensive renovations – the blue, neutral and black room tones are quite nice. Yes, the Hadsen is a chain hotel, but it’s small size makes it feel a bit more boutique. Rooms feel new, clean and modern. It sits at the edge of the village, walking distance to everything.
This is the best boutique hotel in town. The Landsby offers 51 well-appointed guest rooms featuring traditional Scandinavian design cues, hard wood floors and hand-crafted furniture. It sits one block from Hamlet Square – everything in the village is walkable.
A cozy little inn located at the edge of the village. All the shops, restaurants and tourist sites are within a five-minute walk. The rooms at Mirabelle Inn are simple, comfortable and some have fireplaces.
Several inns in Solvang rent bicycles to guests. The red bicycles from Hamlet Inn are the cutest ones in town.
SOLVANG RESTAURANTS
COAST RANGE
I love the vibe at this place. The dark, cozy booth spaces adorned in vintage decor have all the feels of an Old World European tavern. Coast Range serves both brunch and dinner. Dinner menu includes a variety of grilled steaks + fixin’s, oysters, shellfish and seafood.
HIGH ROLLER TIKI LOUNGE
High Roller Tiki Lounge is a local favorite that serves craft beers, wine and tiki style cocktails with live music in the evenings.
PAULA’S PANCAKE HOUSE
This place might seem a bit cheesy, but it’s an institution in town. Paula’s Pancake House is a family-owned diner that serves a variety of pancakes, as well as their signature Danish Pancake. Great spot for families.
PEASANTS FEAST
This is one of the more popular restaurants in Solvang. The menu focus is farm-driven comfort food and includes a variety of fresh salads, homemade soups, tacos, grilled cheese, a chicken sandwich, smash burger and more. No reservations, and they often sell out of items, so best to arrive on the earlier side.
SOLVANG TROLLY ICE CREAM PARLOR
Quirky ice cream shop that sits tucked away in the back of Hamlet Square. The ice cream flavors are traditional and delicious including Mint Chip, Toasted Almond Chip, Earl Grey & Shortbread, Salted Caramel Chip, Pumpkin Caramel Candied Pecan and many more.
S.Y. KITCHEN
Technically, this isn’t in Solvang, but the Santa Ynez restaurant is just a few minutes away, and worth the drive. S.Y. Kitchen boasts an Italian menu filled with homemade pastas, wood fired pizzas, fresh salads and usually one meat and fish entree. Reservations are a must.
A plate of fish & chips for lunch at Coast Range.
GET AROND SOLVANG
Once in Solvang, it’s easiest to explore on foot or by bicycle. There is plenty of parking around town, and most of the hotels are located within walking distance of the main village. A car is only necessary for visits to the local wineries, or for day trips to Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara.
Soaking in all the Danish feels around town.
GET TO SOLVANG
The closest airport to Solvang is the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA). Most major car rental companies have on-site locations at the airport, and from there it’s an easy 45-minute drive to Solvang. If you’re making the day trip up from Los Angeles, the drive can be three hours or more depending on traffic.
This cream puff was one of many bakery treats I devoured in Solvang.
Farewell, Solvang!
