Visiting Solvang California

A Danish Village In Wine Country

Originally a Danish settlement, Solvang California is distinctive for its architecture and bakeries. A colorful windmill, plentiful pots of flowers and occasionally the aroma of Aebleskiver grace the town. Though bakers differ in their versions of this delicious Danish pastry, they generally are ball shaped pancakes with jam, dusted in powdered sugar.

Solvang wine tasting is a popular past time, or venture a little ways out of town to visit Santa Ynez wineries or wineries in los olivos.

There are lots of things to do in and around Solvang. It's about a 45 minute drive from Santa Barbara, making it a pleasant day trip. If you wish to stay overnight and spend more time exploring this charming European type village and the surrounding wine country, there are plenty of hotels and bed and breakfast inns to choose from.

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You can find Solvang California by getting off the 101 freeway in nearby Buellton, where the famous landmark restaurant Anderson's Pea Soup is. The gift shop inside is definitely worth a visit, plus the bathrooms are much nicer than a typical travel stop. There are a few hotels here, but we like to stay in Solvang itself, because you can wander in and out of your hotel room on foot to enjoy some wine tasting rooms, a delicious pastry in one of the bakeries like Mortensons, or sample some fudge in the fudge shop, or a meal.

A Recent Excursion To Solvang California

We recently stayed at the Royal Copenhagen Inn, which has a delightfully Danish facade. There is a pool, but no jacuzzi. My kids enjoyed playing chess with the giant outdoor chess set. Breakfast was continental and included deliciously sinful danishes, coffee, tea and bananas. There is a back patio so you can eat your continental breakfast outside at a table, or inside with the TV on if you prefer.

Guests receive complimentary wine tasting at the Presidio Winery tasting room diagonally across the street. It's an adorable little hotel reasonably priced. (It was around $100 for a double room on a Sunday in June). The room was clean enough, as long as you didn't look under the bed at all the dust. I like that it had windows that opened in the back to allow cross breezes. The shower was super powerful, which I also love.

A really popular breakfast place is Paula's Pancakes. They also have outdoor tables. We didn't go this time, but definitely will on our next visit.

We've enjoyed the Mustard Seed in the past, but since most restaurants in town close fairly early on a Sunday night, we ate at the Solvang Brewing Company, which closes at 10. They had a small band playing Latin jazz, so we grabbed a table with a view in the bar area. The other room is quieter, and there is also an option to sit at outdoor tables. Service was friendly, but terribly slow, and they were very apologetic that they were so understaffed. When we did get our food, it was delicious.

The next morning we headed out to Quicksilver Ranch up Alamo Pintado Road to see the miniature horses. You cannot believe how adorable the little foals are. They'd frolic around, playing together, then run to their mum for some milk, then flop down on the ground for a nap in the sun. The older ones munched grass peacefully around the multiple pastures. Anyone can drive in and walk around watching them, as they are for sale. Signs are posted to keep your fingers away from the horses, but they are friendly and love to be pet. But mind the signs, don't get bit!

Getting away from L.A. for the weekend into this bucolic countryside is a real stress reducer. The scenery is beautiful and just breathing in the wine country air there is very relaxing.

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