Looking to vacation in a place that feels like a storybook? Like you’ve gone back in time to a quaint little European village except, you’re in California? Solvang is all of this and more. Quaint, old-world, picturesque, delightful at every turn.
The History of Solvang
“Solvang” is Danish for “Sunny Field” 🙂 A beautiful name for a beautiful little town located in Santa Barbara County. The town was actually founded by a group of Danes back in 1911. It has all my favorite things….cute buildings, antique stores, bakeries, restaurants, and wineries close by! Within the town, you’ll find statues of Hans Christen Anderson and The Little Mermaid. The buildings are designed to reflect a Danish craftsman architecture, one that I personally love.
Good Danish Eats!
The food is exactly what you would hope for… Danish. From bakeries to restaurants, they cover everything from baked danish treats to the famous Danish hot dog, and creamed herring. We ate at the Bit O’ Denmark Restaurant, which opened in 1963 and serves up traditional Danish cuisine….perfect 🙂 I had the Flaeskesteg, a delicious plate of pork stuffed with prunes and applesauce. If you’re thinking of making this a stop on your California adventure (and you SHOULD!!), here is a list of Danish restaurants to sample….
Wineries
One of my most favorite ways to relax is going to a winery, doing a tasting, and sitting outside while I just breathe and take in the scenery…it’s wonderful. There are quite a few wineries to choose from right outside of Solvang… Take your pick!!!
“Welcome to Solvang, the Danish Capital of America…”
– The Solvang Visitor Guide
A trip to Solvang is a really great long weekend… Go on a Wednesday and come home Sunday. Explore, visit wineries, eat Danish baked-goods, try some sausages and herring, and maybe stop by a festival or two! This little town is the perfect introduction to Denmark, which we plan to visit in 2023! I’m lucky to have my brother living there and we can’t wait to visit 🙂 🙂 🙂 Exploring Copenhagen was something I never thought I’d be doing….Travel is not only freedom and educational, it’s experiencing a ‘dream’ that would otherwise have been filed away in the ‘never gonna happen’ folder. So make your list and GO 🙂
Travel Safe and Go Adventure!
Heather & Nate
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