Solvang Tours

Just over the hill from sunny Santa Barbara lie the Santa Ynez Valley and the small, Danish-style town of Solvang. Founded in 1911 by a group of Danish teachers, Solvang (Danish for “sunny field”) is now a bustling hub of activity, ripe with wine-tasting rooms, a fairy-tale-esque downtown, and all sorts of quirky shops.

The Basics
The true flavor of Solvang lies in its quiet, tree-lined streets, half-timber Danish-style buildings, and ample shops, restaurants, and bakeries, not to mention its annual Danish Days festival. Other cultural attractions include the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, dedicated to Denmark's most famous author. Solvang is also a popular stop for cyclists, with numerous cycling-related events held in and around town—the Tour of California often passes through, too.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Solvang is a must-visit for anyone interested in Danish culture in North America.
• With good facilities for cyclists, the town is a popular stop for cycle tours.
• Parking is free across Solvang, with free daytime RV parking at Veterans Memorial Hall.
• Most of the town’s shops and attractions are wheelchair-accessible.

How to Get There
Solvang is located roughly 35 miles north of Santa Barbara, and the journey between the two cities takes around 45 minutes to an hour during moderate traffic. The area around Solvang is full of vineyards and wineries, and Santa Ynez is under a 10-minute drive away. As public transportation in the area is spotty, the easiest way to visit the town is by renting a car or coming as part of an organized tour.

When to Get There
Solvang is a year-round destination, though it's at its most crowded during the summer months. While summers here can be quite hot, things start to cool off in September, just in time for the Danish Days cultural festival. Solvang’s winters are generally mild, and the town sees fewer visitors then; visit around Christmas to learn how the Danes celebrate the holiday.

Danish Days
Solvang is at its most exciting during the annual Danish Days, a 3-day celebration of all things Danish. The festival features free concerts, a crafts market, historical reenactments, and a variety of culinary events, from eating contests to traditional breakfasts. There's also a beer-and-wine garden and plenty of special activities for kids.