15 Fun and Best Things to do in Solvang, CA

Looking for the best things to do in Solvang, CA? Where is Solvang? Why is it such a beloved touristy spot in Southern California?

The Danish Capital of America, Solvang, is located in Santa Ynez Valley. Solvang is a Danish Village founded in 1911 by a group of Danish immigrants. You will find old-world architecture, windmills, and great Danish eats in Solvang.

A visit to Solvang makes for a great day trip or road trip stopover for all. It’s a two and half hour’s drive from Los Angeles and only a 45-minute ride from Santa Barbara.

You can also take public transportation to Solvang. Jump on the Amtrak train en route to Santa Barbara. From Santa Barbara, take the Amtrak bus to Solvang Park.

What are the things to do in Solvang, CA? See the traditional windmills, hop from bakery to bakery to try all the Danish treats, imbibe in some local wine tasting, visit the shops and explore Solvang on foot. My favorite thing to do in Solvang is EAT.

If you’re also a foodie, you’ll want to start with a pastry or aebelskivers for breakfast. For sure.

When to visit Solvang? Any time of year! Spring and Summer is the busiest time of year. I love visiting during the holidays for Julefest. Julefest is Solvang’s month-long holiday celebration. Solvang at Christmas is even more magical and fun.

Solvang is so popular because we get to step into another place that isn’t reminiscent of anywhere else in California. It’s like having a bit of Europe in California. For this reason alone, Solvang is worth the visit.

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Now the big controversial question is… is it authentic? Some say yes, and some say no. I have not had the pleasure of traveling to Denmark yet.

Of course, please correct me if I’m wrong.

Nonetheless, it doesn’t mean it isn’t charming and fun. We love Solvang, even if it’s a bit touristy—a tad-like themed village inside a Disney park. To me, that’s half the fun. Everyone we’ve taken there has been charmed by this delightful town, myself included.

Spot the wooden windmills in Little Denmark. Stop to eat Ebelskivers and then get some buttered cookies for the road. Feed Ostriches at Ostrichland. Take a hike to Solvang’s hidden waterfall. Among some of the activities in Solvang.

If you’re on a Pacific Coast road trip or spending time in Santa Barbara, add Solvang as one of your stopovers.

Things to Do in Solvang

1. Eat Aebelskivers (Danish Pancakes)

One of the best things to do in Solvang… have aebelskivers. We admit the #1 reason I normally visit Solvang is to eat my way through the village. Solvang has many great bakeries, but you must head to Solvang Restaurant and order some aebelskivers.

What are aebelskivers? They are Danish round pancakes topped with powdered sugar and raspberry jam.

You won’t regret it. We promise. They are so good!

You don’t need to sit down at the restaurant. They have an order and pickup window right outside.

Solvang Restaurant | 1672 Copenhagen Dr #2759, Solvang (Google Map It)

2. Spot a Windmill

What to do in Solvang? Spot the famous windmills!

There are 4 wooden windmills in Solvang—all in a four-block radius. You won’t be able to miss them as you’re exploring Denmark Square. They are non-working, but they are aesthetically pleasing and fun.

• 1622 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
• 1440 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
• 1547 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
• 436 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463

3. The Little Mermaid Fountain

Like the Mermaid fountain in Denmark, you will find a smaller scale of Mermaid statue in Solvang. The statue was installed in 1976 in Denmark Square.

This is one of those quick stops you’ll make as you explore another spot in Solvang. You’ll see it, take your shot (if you want one) and move on. So that you know, it is there.

Little Mermaid Fountain | 1693 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463 (Google Map It)

4. Hans Christian Anderson Museum

Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author that wrote some of the most famous fairytales… The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea, Ugly Duckling, and many more.

This small museum is also a bookstore. It is worth a look as it has a model of Hans Christian Andersen’s home with some photos and original letters from this famous author.

Hans Christian Anderson Museum | 1680 Mission Dr, Solvang (Google Map It)

5. Elverhoj Museum of History and Art

First-timer in Solvang? One of the things to do in Solvang is to take a deeper dive into the history of Solvang and the Danish culture by visiting the Elverhoj Museum.

This is not your typical big museum with its cold, harsh edges. This small museum is inside an old Danish house converted into a museum. While small, there is a ton of interesting information you wouldn’t have learned of unless visiting. The staff here is also super friendly, informative, and helpful.

• Museum is open Thursdays thru Mondays from 11 am to 5 pm.
• Free admission, but a $5 donation is suggested.

Elverhoj Museum | 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang (Google Map It)

6. Round Tower of Solvang | Copenhagen’s Famous Rundetårn Replica

Check out the replica of Copenhagen’s The Round Tower. The one in Solvang is one-third of the size of the tower in Copenhagen. It is located behind the windmill on Alisal Rd.

The Round Tower in Copenhagen is a 17th-century tower and observatory. While we can climb the one in Copenhagen, unfortunately, we can’t climb the one in Solvang. It does not have a spiral staircase inside, and it does not have an observatory. It is the home of a pizza restaurant and other dining establishments.

Solvang’s Round Tower | 436 Alisal Road, Solvang (Google Map It)

7. The Clogs at the Solvang Shoe Store

For some window shopping fun in Solvang, head to the Solvang Shoe store and check out their fun collection of wooden clogs. They have plain wooden ones to decorative ones of all colors.

They used to have ones you could try on and take pictures with. But with the pandemic, you may want to skip the trying-on part of it. Pre-pandemic it was a lot of fun shoving our feet into a huge pair of clogs they had on display.

The Solvang Shoe Store | 1663 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang (Google Map It)

8. Go Wine Tasting

There are several wine-tasting rooms throughout Solvang. If you are a wine drinker, I suggest stopping at a few as you’re walking around Solvang and getting a taste of the local wines.

Tasting fees start at $5.

Nearby Tour Option: Santa Ynez Valley Biking and Wine Tasting Tour [book here]

9. Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum

In Solvang Village Square, you’ll find a Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum. This is a great stop for anyone who loves vintage transportation modes, specifically motorcycles.

This motorcycle museum features dozens of antique motorcycles and even a couple of old-school bicycles. Check out the one-of-kind motorcycles on display as well.

The staff is friendly and informative.

• Cost: $10. Cash Only.
• Open only on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum | 320 Alisal Rd, Solvang (Google Map It)

10. Old Mission Santa Inés

Old Mission Santa Inés was founded in 1804 and is part of the history of California. The mission is well-preserved with beautiful Spanish architecture. You’ll want to visit the museum on site before heading to the chapel and the lovely grounds of the Mission.

• Self-guided tours are $6.
• Monday thru Saturday, 10 am to 3:30 pm, Sundays 1 pm to 4:30 pm.

Mission Santa Inés | 1760 Mission Dr, Solvang (Google Map It)

11. See a production at the Solvang Festival Theater

Do you enjoy production plays and other musical events? Check out what’s playing at the Solvang Theater.

This 700-seat amphitheater is an open-air venue with some productions and events in Solvang. Watch one of their well-produced events under the stars. Bring a blanket and a sweater as the nights get cold.

Solvang Festival Theater | 420 2nd St, Solvang (Google Map It)

12. Watch a Traditional Danish Dance

If you plan to visit Solvang on the 3rd Saturday of the month, plan to see the traditional Danish dancing. The Solvang Village Folk Dancers perform at the intersection of Copenhagen Drive and Alisal Road.

• 3rd Saturday of the Month
• 1 pm to 3 pm

13. Book a Food Tour

Food tours are one of the best ways to familiarize yourself with a location. I’m a big fan of them when we travel to Europe, so why not here in Solvang? You’ll learn about the history of the Danish Village while trying out some great bites from within the city. They’ll also teach you a few smartphone photography tips as an added plus to this tour.

You can book a Solvang food tour with Eat This, Shoot That. Their food tours take place every Saturday, upon availability. Just expect this tour to be lunch.

Tour Idea:
Solvang Food and Photo Tour [book here]

14. OstrichLand

Did you know there is an Ostrich farm in Solvang? It’s another one of those fun activities in Solvang you’ll want to check out before arriving or after exploring the downtown area. Check out the Ostriches and Emus at this central coast. Don’t forget to purchase some food to feed these beautiful birds.

My friends recently took their children after visiting Denmark Square, and they loved it. The kids even got to feed the ostriches.

It’s a short stop on your Solvang itinerary but a cool one.

• Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
• Admission costs $7 for adults and $3 for children. You can book your tickets online in advance.
• $1 for Ostrich food.

Ostrichland | 610 E Hwy 246, Solvang (Google Map It)

15. Nojoqui Falls Trail

There is a waterfall right near Solvang called Nojoqui Falls. You can drive to the trail and do the easy hike that is less than a mile round-trip. It will take about 10-15 minutes to hike there. The trail is family-friendly, pretty, and full of shade. It is worth a short adventure.

Note the waterfall may be dry during the drought seasons. So don’t be surprised if you hikedit and there is only a trickle of water. Probably best to go days after it has rained.

Nojoqui Falls Trail | (Google Map It) | All Trails

Places to Eat in Solvang

Solvang Restaurant

As mentioned above, you absolutely must try the aebelskivers at Solvang Restaurant. Undoubtedly, it’s one of my top and best things to do in Solvang, and it will be yours too. You only have to get a serving of 3 for a taste.

They do serve other Danish specialties inside. You are welcome to try them and let me know what you think.

Solvang Bakeries

There are a few Danish Bakeries, and we love to go to each one. Even if it’s just to smell the delicious butter in the air and gawk at all the baked goods, they are also so beautiful to look at. Okay, yeah, and scrumptious to eat. It’s one of my favorite things to do in Solvang.

You can go bakery hopping, buy pastries to eat there, take on the road, or bring home for breakfast the next day. That’s if they make it to the next day.

When I’m in Solvang, I like bringing some butter cookies and a kringle home.

• Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe
• Solvang Bakery
• Mortensen’s Bakery
• Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery
• Old Danish Food Farm & Fudge Kitchen

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