Plan One Day in Solvang, California’s Little Denmark

If you can’t get yourself out to Denmark anytime soon, one day in Solvang, California, may scratch that itch for you. Solvang is known as “The Danish Capital of America.”

It was founded by Danish immigrants in 1911 who were escaping Midwestern winters. The name of the town means “sunny field” in Danish. Expect authentic Danish architecture, foods, and replicas of what you might see in cities abroad, like Copenhagen.

As someone who has actually been to both Copenhagen and Solvang, I can confirm that Solvang is very cute. I’ll leave the comparisons there.

At the very least, it’s very much worth a stop in your travels to Santa Barbara or road trips through central California and the Santa Ynez Valley. This guide gets into our favorite tasty stops and scenic attractions for a day trip to Solvang.

You can do Solvang in a day.

One day in Solvang is enough to see Little Denmark’s main attractions. It’s charming but small. If you’d like to stay longer, you can choose to stay in Solvang rather than return to larger cities like Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara will generally offer more to do, though. I have a detailed Santa Barbara guide to all of that if you’re interested.

If you’re really short on time, you need at least three hours in Solvang to enjoy downtown Solvang, get some sweet treats, and enjoy a sit-down meal.

A full day in Solvang will give you more options, including taking advantage of one of the many wine-tasting rooms in town.

How to Spend One Day in Solvang

You can spend one day in Solvang like this:

• Start with something sweet at Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery.
• See the Solvang Windmill, one of five in town.
• Wander Mission Drive and Downtown Solvang.
• Snap photos of the Little Mermaid Fountain and the Round Tower.
• Eat lunch, saving room for aebleskiver.
• Relax at Hans Christian Andersen Park.
• Try a winery or two in Solvang proper.
• Eat a traditional Danish dinner.

One Day in Solvang

Solvang is compact enough that it’s one of the easier day trips in the region. Everything I’ll list below is what we were able to do, see, and eat during our day in Solvang, even if it was just a photo stop.

Prioritize as you see fit, as long as your day includes lots of sweet treats.

Stop 1: Solvang Bakeries

Solvang travel is food travel, and any town that purports to be of European inspiration has to have some delicious pastries. 

Kick things off with a visit to Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery. Kringle and danishes, strudel and crispy waffles…it’s all fresh and delicious and some of the best food in Solvang.

Brian had a princess waffle that was actually two waffles with a filling in the middle, dipped in chocolate. Yes, he felt like a royal while eating it.

If you’re feeling like treating yourself, they sell butter cookies by the bucket, but as you’re likely just starting your day, you may want to save that purchase for later.

Mortensen’s Danish Bakery, the Danish Mill Bakery, and The Solvang Bakery are three more popular options in town. The last is known for its gingerbread if you’re here during Christmas.

Alternative Stop 1: Solvang Pancakes

If you’re up for a more substantial breakfast, Paula’s Pancake House is Solvang’s most popular option.

They have a variety of traditional American fare, but if you want to get Danish about it, you’ll want to try their (self-proclaimed) WORLD FAMOUS pancakes. 

The Paula’s Pancake Special involves two large, traditional Danish pancakes topped with cinnamon apples, blueberries, or strawberries and a dollop of fresh whipped cream. 

Stop 2: Solvang Windmill

There are five windmills in Solvang, and four are within four blocks of each other. These are mostly just decorative, but they only add to the ambiance of this Danish-style village.

You’ll likely come across the windmills within the center of town just by exploring Solvang. If you want to see the most well-known, start at the Solvang Windmill next door to the Solvang Bakery.

You’ll know it by the tourists in the median taking its photo from afar.

Note: It bears mentioning that you should watch out for distracted drivers if you’re one of those distracted photographers in the median.

Stop 3: Mission Drive and Downtown Solvang

Continue exploring the area on foot. Mission Drive is the main street in Solvang, but don’t ignore all the little offshoots that offer up their own wonder if you give them some attention.

A self-guided walking tour in and around Mission Drive is a great way to get yourself acclimated to the charm of Solvang. Go where the cuteness moves you, especially as more of the bakeries are opening.

One photo-worthy highlight is the giant clog outside of the Solvang Shoe Store. While the real clogs inside are pretty expensive for what I’ll call a novelty item in my current lifestyle, the big one is fun to pose with.

Many Instagram photos have been snapped here, including my own.

For some shopping, head over to The Book Loft for your favorite Scandinavian literature. If you’re here for Christmas decorations, Jule Hus is a must. For those looking for something unique to bring back to friends at home, Rasmussen’s and Edelweiss are legit.

Stop 4: Little Mermaid Fountain

The Little Mermaid Fountain is a rite of passage on anyone’s visit to Solvang, so you may as well head over and snap your pics.

She’s about half the size of the original she’s going for, a sculpture in Copenhagen that tourists flock to from around the world from sculptor Edvard Eriksen.

This mini-mermaid may look surly, but she’s the only replica of the Copenhagen original that has been approved by the original sculptor’s family. That’s pretty cool if you ask me.

Stop 5: Round Tower

The 17th-century Round Tower in Copenhagen is an important historical stop in the Danish city as the oldest observatory still functioning in Europe.

The Round Tower in Solvang is a third of the size of the original, but I’m sure you can use your imagination, especially when you hear that it’s actually home to a pizza place.

The pizza shop is called Tower Pizza, and no, it’s not leaning. Solvang is nothing if not a fun time.

Stop 6: Lunch

Our pick was the Solvang Restaurant. They had creamed herring as an appetizer, which I had to investigate as a Pole and lover of pickled herring. It was pretty great. 

The eatery is also known for its open-faced sandwiches, a plate of four little-ish sandwiches on a thin slice of pumpernickel. Brian got the creamy peas on ham from that one. 

Note: If you’re into the movie Sideways, keep your eyes peeled for the booth featured in that movie’s breakfast scene. We inadvertently sat right in front of it, all delighted by our fortune.

The Bit O’ Denmark Restaurant is another local favorite if you’re looking for traditional cuisine among Solvang restaurants. Meat eaters won’t want to miss the roast duck. The Copenhagen Sausage Garden boasts a nice beer garden.

Stop 7: Sweet Treats

When I was telling people I was visiting Solvang for the day, they’d ask me one thing first: “Are you going to try aebleskiver?” 

The Danish pancake ball, dusted aggressively with powdered sugar and served with raspberry jam, deserves its own category. I’m not one for sweets, but I am one to try what towns are known for.

It’s aebleskiver, or æbleskiver, in Solvang.

You’ll find these on appetizer menus throughout town as if they’re not a dessert. Whatever pleases you while in Solvang is what you should do. 

Fun fact: The name of this sweet treat means “apple slices,” but that doesn’t really come to fruition in Solvang. The variety there and in most modern versions of aebleskiver aren’t filled at all. As far as where they come from, popular legend suggests it was the Vikings that created these spherical wonders first.

We had our aebleskiver at the Solvang Restaurant, so if you’re already here for lunch, kudos. Otherwise, Paula’s Pancake House and Bit O’ Denmark are popular options, too.

For a little more dessert variety, head to the Old Danish Fudge Kitchen for, expectedly, some fudge. You really can’t go wrong in here, and they have milk, white, and dark chocolate varieties at reasonable prices.

Here are a few more options:

• The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is a good option for more varieties of chocolate, just in case you need to supplement that bag of fudge.
• The Swedish Candy Factory is known for its Polkagris, a Swedish candy stick. They’re the only bakery that makes the Polkagris sticks within the U.S.
• The Solvang Trolley Ice Cream Parlor serves up 20 different flavors of McConnell’s for your pleasure. It’s a must-do in Solvang during the summertime.
• Solvang Flavors, across the street from the Old Danish Fudge Kitchen, serves up delicious gelato. They also have a great wine list if you’re in the mood.

Stop 8: Hans Christian Andersen Park

The author Hans Christian Andersen had never been to Solvang, but we’ll forgive him for that one.

It’s because of him that we get to enjoy Hans Christian Andersen Park today. The park is all whimsy as soon as you enter through the castle-like archway.

Admire the shady oak trees, hang out in the picnic areas, or just have a moment of quiet, as you’re unlikely to find many of the tourists from Mission Drive here.

For those wearing appropriate footwear, a dirt path will take you deeper into the park. 

Sunny Fields Park, just east of all the action, is another option for outdoor activities in Solvang. That one has a castle-themed playground that sounds like a good time if you’re a five-year-old or into fantasy role-play games.

Stop 9: Solvang Wineries

Sorry, beer fans. Solvang is a wine town. There are over 20 downtown Solvang tasting rooms to choose from while you’re here.

READ MORE: Love California wine? Check out my guide to visiting Sonoma on a budget.

Here are a few options:

• Cali Love Wine: Experience one part guitar museum and two parts delicious wine at this one. Be warned that karaoke may be expected if you enter.
• Casa Cassara Winery & Vineyard: The family-owned operation has grown grapes since 1992. Enjoy one of their bold reds or crisp whites on their back patio.
• Crawford Family Wines: They’ve adopted the garagiste, or “garage wine” style of winemaking. The focus here is on small batches.
• Sanger Wines Tasting Room: A bonus at this one is their olive oil. Enjoy an olive oil tasting alongside your wine for the ultimate in fancy experiences.
• Toccata Tasting Room: Toccata prides itself on approachable wines that offer easy pairings no matter what you’re making for dinner.

Fun fact: To get in on the annual harvest, plan a trip during the Solvang Stump. Work for that wine by stomping some grapes. There’s also live music and great dance party potential at this event if you’re not so into foot stuff.

Stop 10: Dinner

You might be starting to feel like a little nosh after your wine, or maybe you overdid it at lunch. If you’re hungry, the Copenhagen Sausage Garden is a great casual option. Yes, it’s a beer garden, but they serve up a variety of sausages, too. They even have a vegan one!

You can also choose between the Solvang Restaurant or Bit O’ Denmark, whichever you didn’t already eat at for lunch.

With More Time in Solvang

We had a busy day in Solvang, but that doesn’t mean we got to everything there is to see here. Check out some more ideas for things to do in Solvang with a full weekend:

• If you’re lucky enough visit on a Wednesday, the weekly Solvang Farmers Market offers fresh produce to get your health back on track after an indulgent day.
• See the town clock tower, another replica of a similar site in Copenhagen, which chimes holiday songs during the Christmas season.
• Visit the Old Mission Santa Inés, one of 21 original missions built across the state starting in the 1700s.
• If you love a good church, the Bethania Lutheran Church is also striking and built in the Danish style of churches.
• Get a primer on the history of Solvang at the Elverhoj Museum of History & Art with its adorably Scandinavian exterior.
• See amber from 80 million years ago (seriously) at the Solvang Amber Museum, inspired by a larger museum of its type in Copenhagen.
• View the private collection of local Virgil Elings at the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum.
• Visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum to see the original dark version of The Little Mermaid.
• Learn about all things nature at the Wildling Museum of Art & Nature.
• Take in a show at the Solvang Festival Theater.
• Celebrate fall at Danish Days to see Danish culture in the way of folk dancing, live music, parades, and more Danish treats.
• Plan a Christmas trip for Solvang Julefest, a holiday event that proves Solvang is one of the Most Christmassy Towns in America, courtesy ofTime Magazine.

Best Wineries Near Solvang

If you’re here for wine, there are so many options just outside of downtown Solvang. I’m not even talking about day trips. You can be at some of these within minutes.

Here are a few favorites from my own trip to the Santa Ynez Valley:

• Blackjack Ranch Vineyards: The name of the game here is Bordeaux. Try their take on the bold reds just five miles north of Solvang.
• Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyards: Come for the wine and stay for everything else that’s grown here, like seasonal vegetables, just three miles north of Solvang.
• Roblar Winery & Vineyards: Sip those crisp whites in a playful environment with its own horse parking, just five miles north of Solvang.
• Rusack Vineyards: The patio at Rusack was made for picnics. Head about four miles north of Solvang for one of the most picturesque wineries you’ll visit.
• Sunstone Winery: Just four miles east of Solvang, the outdoor area at Sunstone resembles a French villa, which I’m all about.

If you’re not lucky enough to have access to a designated driver, there are tours you can book that promise delightful wine times in nearby wine country. Here are a few options:

How to Get to Solvang

Day trips to Solvang are most efficient with a car. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding free parking in town. There are several free public parking lots on top of free spots along the street.

To get to Solvang without a car, you can take an Amtrak train to Santa Barbara and then connect into town on the Amtrak Thruway Motor Coach. From there, walk around central Solvang or make use of the Santa Ynez Valley Transit system.

Once you get to Solvang, it’s a very walkable city, especially if you stick to downtown Solvang and the main historic village.

Solvang as a Day Trip From Santa Barbara

For those planning short road trips in the region, Solvang is about 35 miles from Santa Barbara. It takes just 45 minutes to drive from Santa Barbara to Solvang.

Here are a few more California towns within easy access to Solvang:

• Goleta: 40 minutes
• Ventura: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Ojai: 1 hour 20 minutes
• San Luis Obispo: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Paso Robles: 1 hour 40 minutes

READ MORE: Solvang is one of our top weekend getaways from San Diego. Get a few more ideas!

Day trips from Los Angeles are also doable, but it really depends on where you’re starting from and the traffic that day. It could take you two hours if you’re in a traffic-friendly window, or it could take up to three hours.

San Francisco trips to Solvang would require a weekend trip, as you’ll need at least five hours to make that drive.

Where to Stay in Solvang

We visited Solvang from our accommodations in Santa Barbara, but if you’d like to spend more time in Solvang, you have options to keep you near all of the action.

Use the map below to peruse both hotels and apartment-style listings in Solvang:

FAQs for a Day Trip to Solvang

Solvang is worth visiting for the day.

Solvang is worth visiting for the sweet treats alone, but it’s also one of the most charming towns in the state. With more time, Solvang makes for an excellent base for exploring more of the Santa Ynez Valley and greater Santa Barbara County.

Traveling elsewhere in California? Check out these guides:

• A Guide to Sonoma for More Than Wine
• An Accommodations Guide for Your Yosemite Trip
• Top Tips for Visiting Death Valley National Park
• See the Biggest Trees at Sequoia and Kings Canyon
• Road Trip Guide from Northern to Southern California

I’m not done yet! Here are a few more if you’re visiting San Diego:

• A Spooky Guide to San Diego’s Whaley House
• A Spooky Guide to San Diego’s Whaley House
• A Guide to San Diego’s Top Neighborhoods
• A Local Guide to the Best San Diego Itinerary
• La Jolla: Things to Do, Eat, & See on Your Trip

Want to see more?