A Visit to Solvang California
The last stop on our whirlwind trip up the California coast to Napa and Sonoma recently was in Solvang, in the heart of Santa Barbara Wine Country (the Santa Ynez Valley).
Solvang is a Danish replica town (having never visited Denmark, despite my Scandinavian heritage, I'll take their word for it), presumably what you would see if one were to visit Denmark, with perhaps a touristy/Californian influence. No matter, Solvang oozes Danish charm - the architecture, food (smorgaasbord restaurants, for example), pastries (oh, yes, those pastries), beer, wine tasting rooms, and the storks on seemingly every building (not real, of course). And of course the names of many of the businesses and streets.
Solvang, as I've learned, was founded in the early 1900s by a group of Danes seeking to settle in a community far from the cold Midwestern winters (coming from New England I get that!!). The charm of Scandinavia with pal trees and temperate weather all year? What could be more appealing? You can read more about the history of Solvang here. And their 100th anniversary is coming up next year so you might gear up for a visit and lots of celebratory activities.
The Santa Barbara wine country is spectacular, and the drive into Solvang, just a few miles from the 101, was like stepping into another world (Frankenmuth, Michigan's Bavaria, is a good example of a similar themed town - you may know others, so share!!). Unfortunately we were only there over night - time to spend a hour or so strolling streets, having dinner (more on that in a sec), a quick take-pout Danish bakery goody, then off to the freeway.
While we weren't there at a time to enjoy them, there are tons of activities and events, it seems. The Danish Days, September 17 - 19, for one. Then there's the annual Taste of Solvang next March. And certainly one can and should pay a visit to Santa Barbara's wine country. I'm sure there's more.
The area is beautiful and if you ever wanted a horse farm, the ones we saw driving into town are stunning (and I have seen some beauties in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Virgina, Maryland and Florida). Given we are in Santa Barbara County prices were not cheap, but certainly more affordable than near the coast.
I will admit to not being a particular fan of Scandinavian food, despite my Swedish background. There are some faves, but keep me away from things likeLudefisk (it's vile, in my opinion).
Our search for dinner, thus was NOT for a Danish restaurant. Sorry. We happened to find my type of place, Root 246 by Bradley Ogden (an anomaly in the midst of all the Danery - is that a word?) which you can read about and covet.
Anyhow, nuff said. You probably have heard more than you can stand - on to the pics.
Hej hej
ENJOY THE PHOTOS!!
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