Where to Stay, Eat and Drink in This Charming Danish VillageāJust a 2-Hour Drive From Los Angeles
Tucked in the Santa Ynez Valley and surrounded by wineries is the unique, peaceful and one-of-a-kind storybook Danish Village of CaliforniaāSolvang. Just over a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, transport yourself to this picturesque European town in the middle of the Golden State. With fantastic food choices, countless wine-tasting opportunities and the authentic Danish-style architecture surrounding you, Solvang is an ideal destination for your next weekend escapeāespecially since a flight to Europe isnāt in the books as of now. Plan a trip from Friday to Sunday afternoon and youāll spend the perfect amount of time relaxing and resetting in Solvang. Welcome to your next getaway, āa little slice of Denmark in Southern California.āĀ Solvang Itinerary
Stay & Dine Solvang Itinerary
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For a modern stay, book a room at The Landsby, an innovative boutique hotel with the most stylish accommodations.
The clean design, contemporary elements and Scandinavian aesthetic will have you wanting to move in!
Each hotel room is sealed with a sticker to show itās been cleaned and sanitized before new guests arrive. The spacious Junior Suite is perfect for two, with a king bed, soaking tub, and lower-level lounge area. It also includes a courtyard patioāideal for morning coffee or an evening glass of wine.
After youāre all checked in, head to on-site restaurant Mad + Vin for dinner and drinks. Sip on a Withered Passion or Blood Orange Bourbon Sour cocktail in the idyllic atmosphere. Chef Beto Huizar recommends the ceviche, flat-iron steak and roasted vegetable dish (vegan friendly!). Upon arriving back to your room with a full stomach, slip into one of the luxurious striped robes. Then you’ll get to enjoy a restful night’s sleep.Ā
For a more traditional stay, check out the Mirabelle Innāanother boutique hotel but with similarities to a cozy bed and breakfast. With only 12 guest suites, visitors are given exceptional service. Most rooms include a romantic fireplace and whirlpool tub, while every suite is accompanied with a bottle of complimentary Coquelicot wine. Whether youāre staying at the inn or elsewhere in Solvang, donāt miss out on dining at the impeccable First & Oak restaurant. The wine pairing with a selection from each menu section is an unmatched experience, providing fresh flavors from local ingredients. In 2019, First & Oak even received The Michelin Plate, making it the first-ever Michelin-named restaurant in Santa Ynez Valley.Ā Ā
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Breakfast BitesĀ Solvang Itinerary
For breakfast, or to satisfy a sweet tooth, walk on over to Birkholmās Bakery. Birkholmās Bakery is a Solvang stapleāserving the town for 69 years, to be exact. Thomas Birkholm is the third-generation co-owner of Birkholmās Bakery. Currently he runs the nook with his father and is set to take over the shop. He points out the photo on the wall next to the cookie tubs.
āThat photo is me as a little boy, my father and my grandfather all baking together.ā
27 layers of deliciousness (aka butter and sugar) make up these sweet Danish pastries. Their cookie tubs make for a tasty souvenir to bring home to friends, neighbors or family!Ā
Stop by Good Seed Coffee Boutique for a local brewābeans are roasted right in the Santa Ynez Valley. Pair your drink with a monkey bar loaded with oats, nuts and chocolate chips for the perfect morning boost.
Around Town
Solvang is a quaint, quiet and walkable city. Explore Solvang on foot or rent a Mokeāan all-electric ride perfect for cruising through this charming Danish town. Pop into quirky spots like the Jule Hus Christmas Shop, where itās always the holiday season, no matter the month. Play a round at the scenic River Course at the Alisal or unwind at Hans Christian Andersen Park.
Make time to visit nearby towns like Los Alamos, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez as you pass by rolling green vineyards. Tasting rooms are plentiful throughout Solvang, and reservations can be made at different vineyards around the valley.Ā
Solvang Itinerary
Wine & Dine Solvang Itinerary
For a perfect mid-day pairing, visit Cailloux Cheese Shop and Crawford Family Wines; the two are next door to one another and share an outdoor patio. Both owners offer expertise and insight into the worlds of cheese and wine. Janelle Norman, cheese connoisseur and owner of Cailloux Cheese Shop, serves a variety of remarkable cheeses (from all over the world!) through gorgeous charcuterie boards, unbelievable grilled cheese sandwiches and, of course, mac and cheese. Wendy and Mark Horvath, owners of Crawford Family Wines, focus on cool-climate varietals, micro-producing pinot noir, chardonnay, syrah and Rhone. Cailloux Cheese Shop and Crawford Family Wines both exemplify extraordinary service and genuine kindness, which makes supporting these small businesses worth every penny.
Lastly, on your way out of town, stop by peasants FEAST for a filling, flavorful meal before hitting the road home. This new restaurant opened mid-pandemicānobody has even enjoyed a meal inside yetābut owners Sarah and Michael Cherney have some very special things planned once itās safe to do so. For now, sit out on the open-air patio; start with the heirloom tomato soup and an ice-cold beer. The mushroom tacos are some of the best vegetarian tacos, and the Solvang Hot Chicken Sandwich packs a punch of flavor. Chef Michael Cherney sources all of the ingredients from local farms in the area, and itās apparent with the fresh flavors. End your trip in Solvang on a sweet note and order Nannieās Frozen Lime Pie for dessert.Ā
Indoor dining is still off-limits, but Solvang is perfect for a memorable outdoor adventure with distancing and masks still required. Spend a weekend outside the city in this laid-back Danish town for a charming escape along Californiaās central coast.
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Taylor is a graduate from the University of Southern California with a degree in journalism. She is our Los Angeles and Orange County editor. You can find her dining at a new restaurant, in the ocean or planning her next adventure. Say hello!
