If you’re feeling like a trip to Europe but you’re not quite up for a transatlantic flight – then boy do I have a destination (much closer) for you! Solvang, California is a quaint little village with a whole lot of character. This Danish-inspired destination sits in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley, just a short drive north of Los Angeles in Santa Barbara County. I spent several days here with both my mom and Annie this January and oh my goodness we absolutely fell in LOVE. Solvang is a true gem and I know I will just have to find myself back here for a visit again and again.
I’m sharing a peek into our recent trip to Solvang along with some of the best things to see, do and eat in this Danish hotspot. I’m also giving a glimpse into the darling little inn we booked + why I think Solvang is an amazing place to visit with your kids too!
Strolling down the streets of Solvang, we truly felt as if we were transported to a small town in Denmark. Solvang boasts old-world Danish architecture throughout the village along with several larger than life windmills that make for fun photo backdrops, if I do say so myself!
Things to Do in Solvang – Where to Stay: The Hamlet Inn
We checked into The Hamlet Inn for a two-night stay in the heart of Solvang. The best thing about Hamlet Inn was the location. For the most part, any and everything we wanted to see in town was just a several-minute walk from our hotel room door.
Speaking of our hotel room, how fun is this Danish decor!? The spacious two bedroom suite came complete with stylish Danish furniture and bold & bright accents throughout. Our favorite part of the room was how much space there was for Annie to play. Two-year-olds definitely need ample time to run around and burn off their endless supplies of energy and this spacious room was perfect for just that!
Things to Do in Solvang: Bike the Streets in Style
There are several bike outfitters dotted throughout Solvang. Depending on where you stay – your hotel might even offer complimentary bikes as The Hamlet Inn does. The village is relatively flat which makes cruising a breeze even for those out of practice. Be sure to bike a bit past the center of town to see the sweeping views of the valley from Old Mission Santa Inés. (Where the first photo in this post was snapped.)
Pop in the Many Shops Around Town
From cobblers selling colorful clogs to porcelain Christmas houses, it seems like you could find everything you never knew you needed in the village of Solvang. I, for one, had no idea that I needed a traditional dirndl dress until I saw this pretty red one on display! Not having an actual occasion to wear this festive dress, I didn’t end up purchasing it and now will likely forever regret it. Another reason to make a trip back to Solvang!
We did leave town with souvenirs such as blue & white ceramic windmills, Danish-flower crowns and various beer accessories that I was thrilled to take home & surprise Patrick. If you’re into festive souvenirs to commemorate your travels, you are going to fall in love with the boutiques here just as much as I did!
I couldn’t resist grabbing a flower crown for my Annie girl too!
Decorate Cookies at Solvang Bakery
We paid a visit to Solvang Bakery for a cookie decorating class complete with every color of icing in the rainbow & all kinds of different sprinkles to use too! This hour and a half spent in sugary splendor was probably one of the bigger highlights of our entire California road trip. It was so special to give Annie an activity centered all around her. And really, it’s not every day that you get to say “Dash the rules!” and cover yourself and your toddler in gobs and gobs of sugar, you know!?
I think I will look back on this “sweet activity” and cherish these precious moments with Annie for years and years to come. Solvang Bakery really made the experience extraordinary and I would definitely give them a call to set up your own cookie decorating class if you’re going to be in the area with children anytime soon too!
Visit the Hans Christen Andersen Museum
Who here isn’t familiar with Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, and The Princess and the Pea? If you aren’t … well … then you really really should be. Hans Christen Andersen wrote the stories that inspired popular movies we love today along with classic bedtime stories families have been reading to their children for decades. This legendary author never lived in Solvang but he was from Denmark its Scandinavian landscape inspired many of his works. It’s only fitting for a Danish American village to boast a bit of history on this celebrated Danish figure, right?
The museum highlights Hans Christen Andersen’s life and work and sits atop The Book Loft, a charming local bookstore. Various early editions of his books are on display along with memorabilia accompanied by fun-filled facts too.
Things to Do in Solvang: Feed Ostriches at Ostrichland USA
Our stay in Solvang made us feel like we were transported straight to Europe! Just down the road lies Ostrichland USA. One of the only places in the country where you could feed both Ostrich and Emu in a natural habitat. This experience had us feeling like we hopped from Europe to the grassy plains of Africa in a matter of minutes!
Guests can get up close and personal to these rare & unique big birds for only $6 a person. And with the sweeping views of the mountains surrounding Santa Ynez Valley, the view of the landscape alone is worth the admission. The ostrich & emu feeding is like an added bonus!
Annie certainly was in a fit of giggles throughout our entire visit to this one-of-a-kind bird sanctuary. Another activity I definitely recommend whether you’re visiting the area with kids or not. I mean, just because you’re a grown-up doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun too!?
Where to Eat Breakfast: Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery & Coffee Shop
This little spot sat right across the street from Hamlet Inn. A morning cup of coffee and pastry from Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery was included with our stay too. It was such a treat to peruse each and every shelf trying to pick out the perfect pastry to pair with our coffees.
Danish pastries are traditionally made up of multiple layers of sweet & buttery pastry dough. Not being super familiar with the dessert, we were so glad that Olsen’s provided a guide to the filling of all those pretty treats.
Where to Eat Lunch: Chomp
A great spot to grab a delicious All-American burger! On the outside, Chomp fits right into Solvang’s Danish American decor but as soon as you step through its doors you’ll find yourself inside a colorful retro-style dinner.
Where to Eat Dinner: The Hitching Post II
Let me just start by saying our dinner at The Hitching Post II was one. of. the. best. meals. I’ve. ever. had!!!! I want to go back to Solvang right now this very second just so I can have another one of The Hitching Post’s juicy steaks again. Oh, and their grilled California artichokes were seriously divine! We popped in on a Tuesday night in the middle of January and the restaurant was absolutely packed. You could tell it was a local hotspot and rightly so.
Where to Drink:
Santa Ynez Valley is dotted with dozens upon dozens of charming vineyards, wineries, and tasting rooms too. There are also oodles of delicious restaurants scattered across the valley in its many charming towns and hamlets that I didn’t have enough room to list here. But not to worry, I have a post coming your way in just a few days highlighting a few eateries & vineyards that stood out to us the most. Once it’s live, I’ll be sure to link it here. In the meantime, stay tuned!
*We snapped this shot at the overlook right next to the Old Mission Santa Inés. Definitely, plan to head on over here with your camera in tow if you’re in the area!*
There’s nothing I love more than showing my little one the world. This California trip was the best 30th birthday gift I could have ever dreamed of receiving and I am so grateful my Mom was able to join us too! Solvang and the entire Santa Ynez Vally completely captured our hearts and I know this is a region I will return to again, hopefully soon!
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Big thank you to Visit Santa Ynez Valley for hosting us while in California. It was an absolutely wonderful experience. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you to you all for following along and supporting the brands that make Lone Star Looking Glass possible.
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Loving this things to do in Solvang feature? Take a look here for more of my travel favorites!
