Solvang Offers a Little Slice of Denmark on California's Central Coast. Solvang turned 100 in 2011.

Solvang, designed after a Danish village, is slightly more than an hour north of the city of Santa Barbara, and south of Santa Maria. The popular tourist attraction features a village atmosphere spanning approx. four blocks filled with shopping, dining, wine tasting and celebrations & events throughout the year such as Taste of Solvang in the Spring and Yulefest at Christmas.

Weekends the streets going into the city from I-101 are often busy with lines of traffic from the freeway. Several noteworthy attractions are Solvang's windmills, its Danish themed rooftops and architecture, and Mission Santa Ines located downtown. Be sure to stop during your drive into town and see one of our favorites, Ostrichland USA.

The historic mission and a Danish museum in the city provide points of interest during a visit, but the food is really one of the top attractions. The Danish treat, Aebleskivers, round donuts cooked in hot oil till the crust is slightly crisp, are drizzled with raspberry flavor and sprinkled with powdered sugar, making them look like little snowballs. The city is one of the few places you may be able to find a hot iron utensil that can be used for cooking aebleskivers.

Solvang is also home to at least one smorgasbord and the famed Swedish meatballs, and redkraut (sweet, red cabbage).

Ice cream shops, donuts, cookies, snacks, and our favorite stop before heading out of town, Solvang Bakery, all are part of what makes Solvang so delightful.

You might see a parade heading down the street, watch a horse-drawn cart roll by, or watch tourists lick ice cream cones in delight.

Whether heading for Solvang to stay overnight, or just dropping by, be sure to stop in the park and say hi to the bust of Hans Christian Andersen.

At the turn of the 20th century, three Danish-Americans had a vision--to find a place in California where land was fertile and their heritage could prosper. In 1911, that vision became reality with the founding of Solvang (sunny field in Danish), a 9000+ acre enclave in Santa Ynez Valley just 125 miles north of Los Angeles. Solvang, known as the "Danish Capital of America" and recognized as a "Preserve America" city welcomes visitors with hospitality.

More about Solvang:

Solvang, California Halloween Events
Solvang Halloween includes the annual Halloween Haunted House.

Solvang Aebleskivers
Solvang, a Danish village on the Central Coast, California in Santa Barbara County, loves to eat. Among its dine-fests is the Taste of Solvang in the Spring and ...

Solvang Danish Village Turns 100
Solvang, California –The darling of the Central Coast–the pretty city where bright red & gold banners blow in the wind, windmills spin, and blue ...

Solvang, California Danish Village Julefest Tree Lighting Ceremony
Signal Hill Tree Lighting Ceremony invites the public to the annual, free event filled with music provided by the high school choir, beverages and arrival of Santa ...

Mission Santa Ines
Features beautiful gardens overlooking a valley. See our Solvang Mission Photos