Solvang

Solvang

A Charming Slice of Denmark Nestled

In California’s Santa Ynez Valley

 

On a recent trip to the sprawl of the Los Angeles area I had the pleasure of once again visiting this Danish themed community. Located some 125 miles north of Los Angeles, Solvang offers up a great view of what a small Danish Village would look and feel like.

 

Founded by earlier Danish-American settlers who had a vision to find a place in California where land was fertile and available so that their Danish way of life would continue to prosper. This vision became a reality in 1911 when they purchased just over 9,000 acres for $75,000 and named it Solvang which means sunny field in Danish. Solvang has since grown to over 5,000 residents and thrives in carrying on their Danish heritage.

 

 

Solvang offers the visitor a chance to see what a real Danish Village would look and feel like. The architecture is designed to maintain the same feeling that you would expect to see if you were traveling to Denmark. Wind Mills on a number of streets, cross beamed timbers framing either stucco or brick walls and because the Danish feel it brings good luck Stork nests on a number of roofs complete with a model Stork.

 

 One of the many things that I enjoyed about Solvang was that many of its features are easily visited on a self guided walking tour of downtown. This will give you access to a number of businesses that you will find hard to pass by like Danish Chocolate Shops, Danish Bakery’s serving up some of the best Danish pastries you could ever imagine. And by all means do not pass up trying a serving of Aebleskiver. It is pronounced aye-bell-ski-ver and is a light and airy Danish pancake ball served with a dusting of powdered sugar and raspberry jam. Absolutely Great!  

 

 

There are many other attractions you will want to visit and are all within a very short drive from Solvang’s downtown area. This includes many fine wineries. Solvang also has 13 wine tasting rooms and wine bars in the downtown area. Just a few miles out of town is the 1804 Old Mission Santa Ines. And what would a visit to a Danish Community be without a visit to a museum dedicated to the great Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen. It is located on the main street through Solvang above a large book store. Ask any of the locals and they will give you directions.

 

For more information on what to see and do in Solvang contact the Solvang Visitor and conference Bureau. They can be reached at 805-688-0701 or by e-mail linda@solvangcc.org

If you are ever in the area take a couple of days to visit this great community. Believe me, you won’t regret it.