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Sights in Solvang
updated: Mar 12, 2011, 9:30 AM

By the dedicated staff, photos by William Etling

Here's a tourist attraction pop quiz: the northern Santa Barbara County town of Solvang, located in the Santa Ynez Valley is:

A. Modeled on the scenic small cities of Holland, where people eat pancakes, wear wooden shoes and dance in the streets.

B. Just like Disneyland, totally fake with lots of overpriced food and people dressed up like mice.

C. Only accessible by tour bus or bicycle.

D. A nice place to visit with legitimate Danish heritage, excellent pastry, and lots to see and do.

D is for Danish, not Dutch, and that's your winning answer. Edhat's dedicated staff has spent significant time in Solvang over the years, and shares the following tips for a great visit to the city that was settled by Danes in 1911, and whose name means "sunny field".

Here are some don't-miss highlights for your visit.

Sample some special sweets. There aren't too many places in the U.S. where you can get authentic Danish pastries from the kitchens of real Danish bakers, but Solvang is among them. Four longtime bakeries - Olsen's, Mortensen's, the Danish Mill, and Solvang Bakery, put out a huge selection of pastries large and small, Danish butter cookies, breads and rolls, sweetbreads, petit fours and éclairs, and much more, almost every day of the year. Recently Edhat had a pastry price check that gives an idea of how much you can expect to spend on these tasty treats. Solvang is also famous for its abelskivers tennis-ball shaped Danish pancakes that would be served for dessert in Denmark but are popular for breakfast in the Danish capital of America. When it's not Danish Days (annual celebration in the third weekend of September) you can get them at the Little Mermaid, 1546 Mission Drive, or the Solvang Restaurant (formerly Arne's) at 1672 Copenhagen. Don't forget to sample the medistepolse, or Danish sausage, which is also delicious.

Surrey, stroll or sit on a Honen tour. There are a lot of ways to get around town in Solvang, whether you'd rather pedal, cruise in a horse-drawn carriage with a tour guide, or power your own two legs. Most visitors do some shopping along Copenhagen, Alisal and Mission Drives, with plenty of side streets in between. If you're looking for a true tour of the town, your best bet is the Honen, a Danish-named horse drawn carriage powered by Belgian beauties of the Carlsberg beer wagon variety. The tour takes off from in front of the visitors hut on Copenhagen at regular intervals on weekends. To pick up a surrey and devise your own tour, head for Wheel Fun Rentals, 475 First Street, just behind Solvang Park at Mission and First Street. Just be sure to stay off Mission Drive in the surrey, or you'll have angry locals honking behind you before you can say "Abelskiver."

Visit Old Mission Santa Ines. A working parish with communion classes and daily masses, Old Mission Santa Ines, 1760 Mission Drive, is an historic Catholic church with deep roots in the community. It's beautiful gardens, scenic views of the Santa Ynez River, and historic olive orchard are worth noting. Less a draw for visitors than neighbor missions Santa Barbara and La Purisima, Mission Santa Ines has just as much charm, and a little more peace and quiet. Special events like an annual Fiesta, Fourth of July fireworks, and regular car shows are all staged on the mission's front lawn.

Try wine tasting. A burgeoning industry in Solvang over the last several years, there are about a dozen wine tasting options within the downtown area. Several spots, including the Wandering Dog Wine Bar and Tastes of the Valleys (1539C and 1672 Mission Drive, respectively), include wines from dozens of producers, so you can have a diverse tasting experience. Two favorite winery-run tasting spots include Lucas and Lewellen at 1645 Copenhagen Drive, and Curran-D'Alfonso at 1557 Mission Drive. Get a full list of all the Solvang tasting rooms at this link. If you are staying in town overnight, this is an especially fun way to spend an afternoon between stops at various shops, and many of the tasting rooms stay open later than other businesses, which tend to shut their doors around 5:30 or 6 p.m., even on weekends. If you want a broader selection of options, extend your trip to Los Olivos.

Get your Danish down. If you are truly interested in the history behind this historic town, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year, the place to go is the Elverhoj Museum (1624 Elverhoy Way). This small collection of history and art is located in a unique Solvang home, maintained by one of the City's late artists in residence, who later donated it for public use. The knowledgeable volunteer docents can answer just about any questions you may have about Solvang's past, and you'll come away with a true sense of place. The current Spirit of Solvang exhibit celebrates the city's centennial year. Don't miss the beautiful garden in the back of the museum.

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Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 153081	2011-03-12 10:10 AM
Great article and overview--especially since the 19th annual Taste of Solvang food and wine fest is next weekend--March 18-20, 2011. For all the details and to get tickets, check out the website SolvangUSA. dot com or stop by the Visitor Center at 1639 Copenhagen Drive and pick up a free, 72-page Visitors Guide and maps. Velkommen!
SMARTYPANTS	2011-03-12 10:14 AM
Best store for buying socks in SB County - The Sock Loft is like an art gallery of socks. They even have the japanese socks you can wear with sandals..if you want to dress that way.. Colored socks galore with amazing patters too!
SMARTYPANTS	2011-03-12 10:16 AM
Japanese with a capital J. oops. Great sock store!
COMMENT 153117	2011-03-12 12:26 PM
Try Tastes of the Valley for wine tasting if you truly want to try some things you won't find anywhere else. Valley Books is the nicest used bookstore you'll ever find, with a cozy seating area, coffee bar and a great selection of quality used books. Tracy and Laura's women's clothing consignment store is full of unexpected treasures. There are also some great thrift shops - the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society and the Hospital Auxillary both have nice shops across the street from each other. So it's possible to do Solvang on a budget and find great things from local businesses. Don't forget PCPA Theaterfest in the summer. Wonderful theater productions in a beautiful theater - just be sure and bundle up!
COMMENT 153125P	2011-03-12 01:02 PM
Solvang Children's Shop at 1666 Copenhagen Drive is a find, been selling cute outfits from hats to lederhosen for more than 40 years.
COMMENT 153143P	2011-03-12 02:35 PM
Friday, May 20, 2011 Solvang will be THE PLACE to be for the Amgen Tour of California Individual Time Trial. All day from dawn to dusk action Pro cycling at its best The world's media from over 33 countries Experience a bit of European cycling right here in your backyard. It doesn't get any better before summer in Solvang!
COMMENT 153151P	2011-03-12 02:57 PM
Oh is it really "Only accessible by tour bus or bicycle."? I haven't been there for a couple of years --are cars banned now in the City of Solvang?
BECKY	2011-03-12 05:01 PM
No, cars are not banned in Solvang. It was probably a tongue in cheek reference to how slow it is to drive the tourist areas on a busy day in a car -- you're better off walking. The photo of the pastries wasn't fair. It was wonderful, but it wasn't fair. Solvang = pastry = yum! = fat.
COMMENT 153176	2011-03-12 05:32 PM
Thanks, Becky--answers A, B and C are not correct. Solvang is Danish-American and celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. You can see more info at Solvang100 website.
SEEDLADY	2011-03-13 09:58 AM
..but real Danish pastries don't have that ubiquitously American slosh of icky sticky confectioner's sugar and water "glaze". I love the thrift stores in Solvang too! The two at Oak and Alisal are great. If you're thrifting in the area, there are a couple in Buellton, too, on 246 west,of 101 a block or two. The Spinning Wheel on Alisal is a great resource for spinners and needlework supplies. Though not in Solvang, a 'pit stop' on the way is Pattibakes bakery/cafe in Buellton, down a long driveway in the center next to the big commercial shopping center, at the back. Great coffee, breads, pastries, pies & cakes, and soup, salads, and savory offerings for breakfast and lunch.
COMMENT 196503	2011-07-25 05:22 PM
Extraordinary Jewelry Designers, Alex Sepkus and Sara Graham Unveil their master pieces at Z Folio Gallery, September 5th! The work of Alex Sepkus is like a magnifiscent mosiac, the components comprise detailing so small he requires a microscope to exicute it. Un matched by any goldsmith Sepkus honors taditional techniques while creating a contemporary and yet timeless beauty. Sara Graham creates unique jewelry for everyday wear, this collection is both bold and darring without sacraficing sophistication and ellegance. Inspired by nature she takes a inovative approach to classic designes. Assured to inspire. Z Folio is located in the heart of the Danish Capital of America, at 1685 Copenhagen, Solvang CA 93463.

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