Solvang is a quiet little town, with an European reputation even though it is located in the heart of California. There are many small towns scattered all over California, but Solvang is much different than all other small towns. Danish and Dutch early settlers in California were determined to maintain their heritage in everything they did and most of all in everything they built. From shops and restaurants to office building have all been built in Danish style. Come along with me and explore the best things to do in Solvang, California.
Solvang is a small touristy village located in Santa Barbara County, about one hour drive North from the city of Santa Barbara. Solvang’s main attraction is the town’s European heritage and architecture as it gives you a taste of Europe in the heart of California. Also known as the “Danish Capital of America”, Solvang will give you a different feeling as you wander the small streets and alleys between small shops and ice cream parlors. Put on some comfortable shoes and let me show you the best things to do in Solvang California.
What to Expect when Visiting Solvang
Taking a town tour by horse drawn carriage is one of the fun things to do in Solvang
See my photos of Solvang
Surrounded by the beautiful rolling hills of Santa Inez Valley, Solvang is a gem for the tourist and the Los Angeles weekend traveler. Solvang has also become one of my favorite day trips from Santa Barbara. You can easily walk through Solvang within two to three hours, depending how much time you spend visiting the many souvenir and antique shops.
Tourism is the town’s largest revenue source, and the whole town is geared towards the weekend tourist. This becomes very obvious if you visit during the weekend. On Saturdays especially, this small village is filled with people walking the small streets and browsing the many shops. It is a relaxing place to go visit especially on a sunny day which abound in California.
It is best to allocate at least 5 or 6 hours for visiting, in order for you to enjoy this beautiful village as there are many things to do in Solvang, especially for the first time visitor.
My Favorite Things to Do in Solvang
What is there to do in Solvang for a day trip? Well, there is plenty to do, and based on my experience, here is my list of favorite things to do in Solvang:
- Simply walk around. There are only a few main streets with lots of small shops. There are souvenir shops, candle shops, bakeries and lots of restaurants.
- Visit during special events. Several weekends out of the year, Solvang is host to classic car shows as well as the famous Solvang Christmas Parade.
- Try some Danish food. There are a few small restaurants with delicious food with European influence.
- Checkout the small local museums. There are a couple of local museums that will give you a glimpse into Solvang’s European roots.
- Visit the old Santa Ines Mission. Located right next to the main tourist parts of Solvang, Santa Ines Mission takes you back in time.
Walking tour map of Solvang. Green: walk, Red: see
See my photos of Solvang
With our Solvang walking map in hand, let’s put on some comfortable shoes on, and come along with me as we explore the best things to do in Solvang.
Stay in Solvang. For a more quiet location and still budget friendly, but a bit further from the center of town, I like New Haven Inn for a charming and authentic Solvang experience. You can also book a room Atterdag Inn, my favorite budget hotel for its excellent location and value.
If you prefer something fancier and charming, try the beautiful Wine Valley Inn, which has beautiful ambiance and excellent location. If you’re looking for more options, simply search for best hotel prices in Solvang.
1. Walk Around Town
Walking the beautiful streets of Solvang
See my photos of Solvang
Walking around town is my favorite of all the things to do in Solvang. Like any small touristy towns, Solvang is best enjoyed by walking even though there are also horse driven carriages that can take you around town. Once you have found parking in Solvang you can pretty much follow the crowds and you will most likely end up on one of the main tourist streets.
There are essentially two parallel streets (Copenhagen and Park) that run the length of the town and everything interesting to see is along these two streets and about ten cross streets.
The cozy Wine Valley Inn building is part of Solvang’s European feel
See my photos of Solvang
2. European Food
Delicious Danish jelly filled donuts (Ableskiver)
See my photos from Solvang
Several European style restaurants give you a Scandinavian feel in the middle of California. Solvang Restaurant (1672 Copenhagen Street) is one of our favorites, as it is not expensive and provides a great setting for the different European food choices.
Our favorite places to eat in Solvang are the Solvang Restaurant, Paula’s Pancakes and Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery which has European style pastries and cakes. Sampling local food is one of the best things to do in Solvang and has become one of our favorite things to do in Solvang with family.
3. Special Events
Classic Datsun cars show in Solvang, California
See my photos from Solvang
Next on my list of things to do in Solvang is to visit during special events. Solvang is host to many classic car shows as well as the famous Solvang Christmas Parade.
Usually scheduled for the second weekend in December, the Solvang Christmas Parade is a beautiful event, as the entire town is decorated for the holiday season. This is one of our favorite things to do in Solvang in December.
Marching band during a Solvang street parade
See my photos of Solvang
There are a few other street parades scheduled throughout the year. Each one is fun to attend and enjoy.
Checkout the Solvang special events calendar for planning your visit during a special event weekend.
During the COVID Pandemic, all special events in Solvang have been cancelled.
4. Santa Ines Mission
A small graveyard at the Santa Ines Mission.
See my photos from Solvang.
Any list of things to do in Solvang would not be complete without a visit to the old Santa Ines mission. If you’re not too tired after walking around you can just drive up the street a little distance and stop at the local Mission.
Established in 1804, the Santa Ines Mission is one of the newer missions in California. The gardens are filled with flowers and trees and benches to rest after all the walking you’ve done in Solvang. The Mission also has exhibits that outline the history of this area, from the native Indian tribes that inhabited these hills to the coming of the Catholic Missionaries and the establishment of the mission.
5. Wine Tasting
Wine cellar in a Solvang wine tasting room
The Santa Ynez Valley is world famous for its wineries, and Solvang is right in the middle of it. Several local wineries setup wine tasting rooms right in the middle of town on Copenhagen Avenue.
Some of the top rated Solvang wine tasting rooms are Lucas & Lewellen Wineries, Lyons Peak Vineyards and Carivintas Winery.
Solvang wine tasting room serving drinks outside during the COVID pandemic
6. Visit a Bakery
Mouth watering pastries at Birkholm’s Bakery and Cafe
See my photos from Solvang.
I love bakeries! They usually have local treats and they represent a great way to learn about a particular region you’re visiting, since bakeries make fresh breads and pastries every day. Solvang is blessed with having four local bakeries, each with its own special treats. Visiting at least one local bakery is one of my favorite things to do in Solvang.
Our favorite Bakery is Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery right on Mission Dr, right next to Paula’s Pancakes. We love Olsen’s because, in addition to cookies and pastries they have some of our favorite European style cakes and a yummy apple strudel. Next on our list of favorite bakeries is Mortensen’s, which is the larger of the four bakeries. Conveniently located in the middle of town on Atterdag Rd & Mission Dr, Mortensen’s always has a long line of people waiting to buy their goodies, especially on weekends. The other two bakeries are located near the Santa Ines Mission: Solvang Bakery and Birkholm’s Bakery and Cafe.
7. Visit a Winery
Solvang is the perfect place for exploring beautiful local wineries
The Santa Ynez Valley is well known for its wineries. The mild climate with lots of sunny days makes this region perfect for growing grapes and making great wine. While you are in Solvang, you can easily plan a visit to one or more of the local Santa Ynez Valley wineries. The easiest way to visit wineries near Solvang is to take the road from Solvang to the quaint village of Los Olivos, about 15 minutes drive north of Solvang. This beautiful road winds its way between several wineries and it’s one of my favorite things to do in Solvang.
I like driving the Alamo Pintado Road rather than getting back on the 154 and driving north. This way I pass by a couple of beautiful local wineries that you can easily visit. Local Solvang wineries include: Buttonwood Farm, Rideau and Lincourt.
Tour Solvang Wineries
The Santa Ynez wine country is vast and beautiful. If you are in the Santa Barbara area and have an extra day for exploring Solvang and the beautiful surrounding area, consider taking a beautiful private tour that will highlight this area’s local wineries and scenery.
For a more in-depth wine country tour from Santa Barbara book a Santa Ynez Wine Country Shuttle. Explore the breadth and diversity of the Santa Ynez Valley without the restrictions of specified tastings. Benefit from transfers between a selection of wineries and points of interest with lunch included.
8. Nojoqui Falls
Nojoqui Falls is tall and impressive for Southern California even though it is only trickling during the summer
See my photos from Solvang.
Nojoqui Falls Park is locates about 10 minutes drive South of Solvang. The pretty drive winds it’s way through fields and cattle ranches until you reach the park. The shaded trail takes you in a nicely shaded forest all the way to the tall waterfall. Nojoqui Falls Trail takes about 30 minutes of easy walking until you reach the waterfall. We loved taking a break in the shady forest and listening to the waterfall. Nojuqui Falls quickly made the list of best things to do in Solvang and it comes on top of my list for my favorite things to do in Solvang with family.
Here is the address for the Nojuqui Falls trailhead: 3190 Alisal Rd, Gaviota, CA 93117.
Plan Your Trip to Solvang
Is Solvang open during Covid? Now that the pandemic is officially over, Solvang is fully open and back to normal. However, with the often changing California lockdowns and restrictions, it’s hard to keep up with pandemic changes. However, checkout the up-to-date COVID-19 situation in Solvang as updated by local authorities.
Stay in Solvang
If you are planning to stay in Solvang overnight, you can book a room at Atterdag (budget friendly and central location).
For a more quiet location & authentic experience but still budget friendly, consider going a bit further from the center of town and stay at New Haven for a charming and authentic Solvang experience.
If you prefer a bit more charm try Wine Valley (beautiful ambiance & central location but pricier). Or just look for more budget hotels in Solvang.
If you want to explore the Santa Barbara wine country area, you can search my list of hotels in the Santa Barbara wine country area.
Getting to Solvang
Driving is the easiest and best way for getting to Solvang. Find a budget rental car and enjoy the beautiful backroads leading into Solvang.
Driving into Solvang the back way on the Old Coast Highway, you can witness beautiful changing fall colors
My favorite way to come into Solvang, especially with the fall colors in November and December, is to take the Old Coast Highway Road right off the 101 freeway into Alisal Road, and come into Solvang the back way. This way will take you by Nojoqui Falls Park and continues through beautiful farmland. Coming to Solvang via Old Coast Highway Road has become one of our favorite things to do in Solvang.
The easiest way to get to Solvang is by car via the 101 California Freeway or the 154 Highway if you’re coming from the Los Angeles area. If you’re coming from the north, the 101 Freeway will be your best bet.
However, when driving to Solvang from the Los Angeles area, I prefer to drive the 154 highway. This scenic Highway goes over the mountains surrounding the city of Santa Barbara, along the Old Stagecoach Road and it passes by Cachuma lake and reservoir and then it takes you through many beautiful rolling hills into the Santa Ynez valley where Solvang is. This route to Solvang is one of the 15 Best Drives in California in my experience. Signs pointing you to Solvang, abound both on the 101 Freeway and 154 Highway. The car ride lasts around two hours from the Los Angeles area and the very scenic vistas will make the drive appear short.
Parking in Solvang
My favorite parking spot in Solvang is right behind the Santa Ines Mission, right on the edge of town. Use this address for your navigation system: 482 Alisal Rd.
Another great spot for parking in Solvang on the Western side of town at this address: 1556 Mission Dr.
Is Solvang Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Solvang is a delightful day trip from the Los Angeles area. With so many things to see and so many restaurants to try, Solvang is one of our favorite destinations in Southern California. The somewhat long car ride is well worth the effort and the picturesque landscape along the way will surely make the ride go by very fast. You can also combine your visit to Solvang with visiting Santa Barbara as part of your Los Angeles area tour.
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Very informative, thank you! Have been there a couple of times and knew nothing of the falls. Looking forward to seeing them our next visit! Looking for a reasonably priced placed to stay for four adults, two rooms. Thanks for your help!
Bonnie…glad you found my Solvang article helpful. Yes the falls will have a goood flow now with all the rains. I usually recommend New Haven Inn for a reasonable place to stay in Solvang.
Many comment on the drive from Los Angeles to Solvang. We frequent Solvang. And we are from the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s about 350 miles south. I don’t mind driving at all and Solvang is just off of highway 101. One of my favorite times to go to Solvang, is during the Christmas holidays. We shop there. But we enjoy the Christmas decorations around this beautiful community. If you have never been there, make sure that you put it on your bucket list. Wear some good shoes. You will want to walk all the streets. And if you can’t walk, make sure you get on one of the horse drawn carriages.
Jim…thank you for your comment. Didn’t know people come from up North to Solvang, so I am glad you also find this area beautiful to visit.
Hello! I’ve been 3 times in Solvang and I never knew about the water falls, we come from L.A. If we take the 154, is that the highway that will take us through the water falls??
Thank you, Liliana F.
Liliana…highway 154 will not take you to Nojoqui Falls. The easiest way to access them is from the 101 freeway (only coming North) or from Solvang itself taking Alisa Road South, out from Solvang. Look at the section called “Getting to Solvang” for precise map locations.
Hi! Is the town open still i was thinking of driving up this weekend ?
Carlos…see the updated local page here: https://www.solvangusa.com/covid-19-the-city-of-solvang/
It’s November 2020 and I’m watching a Christmas movie about Solvang. I Googled Solvang and you’re blog came up. It brought back so many memories to me. My grandparents came from Denmark. My parents moved to CA when I was little…from Iowa. We used to visit Solvang all the time when my grandparents would visit us. My favorite thing was eating the ableskiver. It was a tradition to have it on Christmas Eve. A few years ago my son bought an Ableskiver pan for me for Christmas. After this Corona Virus is gone I plan to take a trip with our whole family to Solvang and remind our kids where they came from. Thank you soo much for reminding me of a time when we all remembered where we came from and accepted everyone else for who they were. Especially in these days of adversity!! Thank you!!!
LL…thank you do much for your warming comment. I am so glad that my article brought back so many cherished memories for you. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.
Very nice Vlad, thank you!
Loved your site. I have been to Solvang in past when I lived in California. I moved to Texas and have since retired. I want to visit Solvang in the future with a friend who lives in Ventura. So glad I found your article. We have both been to Solvang, We didn’t have the opportunity to see the Falls and we definitely will be staying the night or nights.
Glad to hear my article about Solvang was useful to you. We love visiting Solvang ourselves. The road from the falls into Solvang is very pretty as well as you will pass by some ranches.
What ever happen to “Danish Days” in September?
All the events have been cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. This is according to the official Solvang events website.
Hello! I live here in Solvang and I was not looking for vacation options….I was just researching a few things. Having just arrived onto your page…. I could not just hit back without a quick speed read down your page here!
Had to tell you how great your Solvang page is…just a quick mentioning so you are able to find inspiration to keep it up! All of your site is detailed, and this Solvang section was phenomenal!! You have more info than a few of our local sites have (unofficial of course).
Locals can tell some things & you have the rest with pictures too! You did an amazing job! Hope others will also tell you so, that way you keep it up and continue to share it here. Have a wonderful rest of your day!
See ya later! ( also : Happy Danish Days! )
Dena…Glad to see my article has lots of helpful information even for locals. We’ve traveled to Solvang many many times over the years as we love the area.
Can’t wait to visit.
Anna Marie…have fun…once you are able to visit Solvang.