Solvang - Denmark in California

This is a magnificent little Danish style European town in the heart of California. It's been described as Disney-esque in that it's kind of perfect (clean, beautiful, and all in the same theme - Danish). What you can do here is eat delicious pastry, tour the wineries, golf, go to the Chumash Indian Casino, shop and relax and enjoy the danish atmosphere. It's also known for it's summer theater.

Quick Tips:

There are several nice looking hotels in Solvang, all with the Danish flavor. Check out the AAA book for California. It's located near Santa Barbara in California.

Best Way To Get Around:

A car is probably a necessity to get to this town. But once you're here, you can probably walk everywhere.

My co-worker just returned from this hotel and said it was nice. I saw in my AAA book, there were a couple of other comparable hotels- one is a 4 diamond- called Petersen Village. I visited Solvang many years ago and want to return now with my husband.

There are more than a few danish bakeries to choose from in this town. It's fun to just get out from your hotel and explore the town. And stop for danish and coffee when the mood strikes. I remember on my trip back when, my sister and friend and I went to the Solvang Bakery, one of the old classics. The baked goods were delicious. What more can I say?

There are a few wineries to visit in the Solvang area. My coworker enjoyed her day while her husband was at a conference by driving to a couple of local wineries. Her favorite was Los Olivos Wine/Spirits Emporium. You can taste several different brands at this site that are locally grown. It's located about a mile outside town on Grand Avenue and looks a bit like a roadhouse in the middle of a field. But inside is a stunning mahogany bar and a trove of select wine, pretty much everything good made in the county and some counties beyond, served and discussed by proprietor Bob Senn and his able colleague Rina Perri. For a set price ($5), they give you a virtual wine tour right on the spot. My co-worker had a blast, bought a few bottles and didn't want to leave. Her trip to this winery was the high point of her mini vacation. Check them out and other wineries in the area on the sbwines.com website.

Open 7 days a week, this Chumash Indian Casino in Santa Ynez is the place to go for cards and bingo. The casino is 30,000 square feet..no hole in the wall..and has restaurants and valet parking. They serve no alcohol and you must be 18 to enter. They paid out 200 million dollars in 1998 and give away cars and trucks, etc. Check out the solvang.org website for further information under 'activities'. It's located only 3 miles east of Solvang.

There are 4 golf courses local to Solvang. They're called Rancho San Marcas, La Purisma, the River course at the Alisal, and the Sandpiper in Santa Barbara at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. It appears that all of them have something special to offer. Check them out on the solvang.org website.