Visit Santa Ynez - Top 5 Things To Do In Solvang

We love talking about our six towns of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang at Visit Santa Ynez Valley. We share information about Santa Ynez Valley restaurants, best Santa Ynez wineries, and things to do in Santa Ynez Valley to give visitors the chance to learn more about our own little pieces of heaven. Every so often we also like to brag about one of our towns. This month we’re focusing on Solvang, CA.

Solvang is an authentically Danish-American town in the heart of California. Founded in 1911, when the first Danish settlers arrived, the community holds tight onto its Danish-American charm and tradition. Only two hours up the coast from Los Angeles, Solvang carries on the Danish traditions of language, folk dancing, music and cuisine. Here is our list of the top five things to do in Solvang:

• Number Five – Enjoy The Great Outdoors: Revel in the pure joy of being outdoors in this wonderful area. Ride a horse, take a tour by trolley or Segway, cycle along peaceful country roads, hike to your heart’s content, or play a round of golf on four nearby courses.
• Number Four – Discover Danish Culture: Be drawn into the culture strolling Solvang’s flower-lined streets, which are flanked with charming Danish farm-style architecture. Look for Danish icons including the Little Mermaid Fountain, windmills, the giant red clog and Round Tower. Visit local museums such as Elverhoj Museum of History & Art, The Wildling, Hans Christian Andersen Museum, Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, Old Mission Santa Inés, or theAmber Museum & Hall of the Danes located at The Copenhagen House.
• Number Three – Taste Danish Cuisine: Try yummy Danish pastries and æbleskiver at The Solvang Restaurant, one of the best places to eat in Solvang, or visit the five authentic bakeries:The Solvang Bakery, Mortensen’s Bakery, Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, The Danish Mill, andBirkholm’s Bakery.
• Number Two – Indulge in Wine and Beer Tasting: Solvang is home to dozens of wine and beer tasting rooms, wine bars and gourmet food shops that will tempt your palate with the bounty of nearby vineyards and farms.

And the Number One Thing to Do in Solvang…Danish Days!

The Danish Days annual festival emerged in 1936 and continues to commemorate Solvang’s Danish heritage every year. The 80th Annual Celebration of Solvang Danish Days will be held from Friday, September 16 through Sunday September 18, 2016. Here are some events you will enjoy at this year’s celebration:

• Friday, September 16: Free concert featuring Danish musicians. Chainsaw Carver, George Kenny, begins sculpting his wooden creations. Viking Beer & Wine Garden opens – guests must be 21 years of age or older to enter and purchase alcoholic beverages. Torchlight Parade at 7:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies in Solvang Park introducing this year’s Danish Maid; Velkommen Street Dance follows with Danish dancers performing to live music, and a short story by Randel McGee as Hans Christian Andersen.
• Saturday, September 17: Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive and First Street. Viking Encampment – the Ravens of Odin, Norse Educational Group, as they bring Viking times to life through historical reenactments. Features a Viking Age Weaponry demo on Saturday. Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art offers free, interactive activities for all ages, plus artisans, craftspeople and storytellers. Aebleskiver Eating Contest; all ages welcome. Danish Days Parade at 2:30 p.m. includes the Solvang Village Band atop the Carlsberg Beer Wagon, floats, equestrians, Village Dancers and more. Free Concert at 3:30 p.m. featuring US Air Force Band of the Golden West, “Galaxy.” Solvang 2nd Century Street Party from 5-8 p.m., featuring Echoswitch, a local 80s hard rock band. Danish Days Dinner Dance from 5:30 – 10 PM – Danish-style barbeque followed by dancing and live music by Area 51.
• Sunday, September 18: Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive and First Street. Viking Encampment and Living History Festival continue. Children’s Parade begins at 2:00 p.m. Danish Days Closing Ceremony in Solvang Park at 2:45 p.m.; concert featuring Danish musicians, Manne, follows.

To learn more about Solvang Danish Days, like their Facebook page.

About The Author: Shelby Sim grew up just 30 minutes south of the Santa Ynez Valley on the coast in Goleta, CA. After living in many different states and traveling the world, he returned to the area and discovered the many quality wines being produced here. Shelby has worked in the area for the last 11 years as a wine tour host, while acting as director of business development with the Goleta chamber, and later as a sales manager for Bacara Resort and Spa. He recently moved his family to Buellton and is honored to be executive director of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, the premier destination marketing organization (DMO) for the region.

About VisitSYV.com: Visit Santa Ynez Valley provides listings of thebest Santa Ynez wineries, best places to eat in Solvang, Santa Ynez hotels and inns, and things to do in Santa Ynez Valley. Visit the website at http://www.visitsyv.com for complete travel and visitor services. “Like” the Facebook page for ideas on planning Santa Ynez vacations. Email info@VisitSYV.com for help planning a romantic summer afternoon in the Santa Ynez Valley.