Solvang Travel Guide

Weekend Guide to Solvang, California

Solvang is a small town in Southern California that is known for its unique Danish heritage, beautiful scenery and wine. Originally inhabited by the Chumash, the town of Solvang came to be what it is today when a group of Danish immigrants moved to Southern California to escape the harsh winters in the Midwest.

We’ve visited Solvang many times in the past few years and have put together a list of things to do when visiting the small Danish town! Solvang is definitely worth visiting and here’s our travel guide on how to spend a weekend there.

Best Things To Do In Solvang

Try The Local Wine

Located in the Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang is part of Southern California’s beautiful wine country. Trying some of the local wine is one of the best things to do in Solvang! We often visit Casa Cassara for a wine tasting, but there are many tasting rooms to choose from in town.

Go Shopping

One of the best things to do in Solvang is to explore the local shops that make it feel as if you’re in a small European town. In Solvang, you can be in the festive spirit all year with the popular Christmas shop, Jule Hus. Another store that we like is The Mystic Merchant, they have a wide selection of crystals as well as gifts and incense.

Head to Copenhagen Drive and stop into the little shops as you go around the town. It can get busy in Solvang on the weekends, but you can avoid some of the crowds if you start your day earlier or visit on a weekday.

Visit A Danish Bakery

Probably the most popular thing to do in Solvang is to get a sweet treat at one of the many cafes & bakeries in town! The Olsen’s Bakery or Mortensen’s Danish Bakery are the classic options to try out.

Go To Brewery

If wine isn’t for you, another option is to visit a brewery in town! Some great options are Solvang Brewing Company, The BackRoom and Draughtsmen Aleworks.

Old Mission Santa Ines

Old Mission Santa Ines is one of California’s 21 Spanish missions. The Franciscan church was almost entirely destroyed in an earthquake in the early 1800s and was later rebuilt along with the remains of one of the walls from the original mission. This historic church is located on the edge of town with beautiful views surrounding and is interesting to stop at when you drive into Solvang.

Visit Los Olivos

Located 10 minutes away from Solvang, is the picturesque town of Los Olivos. Here you can enjoy more wine, buy some fresh lavender or try some local olive oil. We visited Olive Hill Farm Shop for an olive oil tasting and also wondered around J Woeste Plant Nursery which is a maze of outdoor plants and pots. We highly recommend visiting Los Olivos on a weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley and suggest heading to a winery or farm shop here!

Nojoqui Falls Trail

Just south of Solvang is Nojoqui Falls Park. Here you will find a short trail that leads to a waterfall. This 1 mile loop is a nice change of scenery from the town center and can be a great little stop after spending the day in Solvang.

See The Windmills

When you visit Solvang, you will find it hard to miss the lovely windmills in the town. If you’d like to take pictures by them without the crowd, make sure you arrive early!

Where To Eat

There’s no shortage of great restaurants in Solvang. We always opt for a delicious cinnamon roll and coffee at Good Seed Coffee Roasters. And for lunch or dinner, we suggest trying the pizzas at Cecco Ristorante.

Where To Stay

For spending the weekend in Solvang, we’d recommend staying right in town at the Vinland hotel. It’s such a great location to be able to walk around Solvang and not worry about parking.

We hope this gave you a good idea on how to spend a weekend in Solvang and the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley!

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