20 March, 2017
Solvang, a small Danish town nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley of
southern
California.
A Danish-American settlement founded at the turn of the 20th
century, Solvang stands as a bright reminder of the impact
immigration has had on the American
landscape. The Danish-Americans responsible for its
establishment sought to embody the American lifestyle while
preserving and promoting Danish culture. Seemingly a world away,
the town is a significant getaway in its celebration of the beauty
that emerges from the diverse intersections of global culture.
If you’re after sunshine and fewer crowds, spring and autumn are
the best times to visit the town and its surrounding valleys.
Your foodie friends. Alongside the town’s offerings of
traditional
Danish food, Solvang lies in the middle of Santa Ynez Valley
wine country; head to a nearby vineyard for a unique grape-to-glass
wine tasting experience.
The windmills, thatched roofs and timber architecture are
impossible to miss as you walk down the streets that look as though
they were plucked out of Denmark and plopped into the hills half a
world away.
Two words: Danish. Pancakes. We suggest heading to Ellen’s
Danish Pancake House, a diner-style restaurant that will make
you feel right at home among the locals (go for the Danish sausage
pancakes for the perfect balance of sweet and savoury).
A hefty appetite; you’ll want to arrive ready to take advantage
of the countless bakeries, restaurants and local food market
offering a wide range of traditional Danish treats.
Drive along the San Marcos Pass from
Santa Barbara. Make sure to have working air conditioning in
the car – the temperature rises significantly as you head into the
mountain pass and away from the coast.