Por Sole Ainesa
Le Banana travelled to Solvang, a Danish pearl in Santa Ynez Valley, California, that breaks with the typical West Coast landscape and offers a wonderful adventure surrounded by windmills, vineyards, and lavender fields; a unique experience that you can’t miss if you are thinking about visiting California.
Solvang stands far from the noise and lights of Los Angeles and San Francisco and its history dates back from 1911. Bakeries and nature are at the core of this town that seems to have been taken out from a Fairy Tale.
The city is two hours and a half away from Los Ángeles by 101 Highway and the best idea is to go early in the morning to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and the great Ocean views.
What to do there?
Bakeries:
The town has a tiny city center that can be walked in just a few hours. Bakeries are one of the greatest tourist attractions because they sell authentic Danish cakes. Tasting each one of them is almost a must! They are incredible! The most traditional are Birkholm’s Bakery & Café, which has maintained the family tradition for three generations, The Solvang Bakery and Mortensen’s Danish Bakery. Everything is delicious. Solvang Restaurant is the only place where you can try Aebleskiver, typical Danish fritter with raspberry jam that are sheer pleasure.
Wines:
Visiting vineyards and tasting wines is also an incredible experience at Solvang. Local grapes are planted and grown there and they are well known all over the world, though it’s true that it was thanks to the film Sideways, which was shot there and won an Oscar in 2004, that the city started to be recognized as an important city in the global wine world.
Most of the more that 120 wineries of the area are boutique and familiar and they are open the whole year.
There are many options for those who want to taste wines. But Sevatap Winery, located at a corner inside a windmill, stands out. There are also places like Gainey Vineyard, a few kilometers away from Solvang where you can enjoy the day with a picnic among vineyards while you taste an exquisite wine. A unique experience!
Museums:
At Elverhoj History and Art Museum, located at a historical building from XVIII century, you can appreciate Solvang history in pictures, fashion, gadgets and screens.
Hotel:
The Landsby, which means “the village” in Danish, is a modern boutique hotel which was recently remodeled. It has 41 Scandinavian contemporary rooms. It’s restaurant, Mid + Vin, which is only open at night, mixes worldwide flavors and incorporates them to local food.
Mirabelle Inn & Restaurant: this boutique hotel is at Solvang city center and has a more traditional style. First & Oak, its restaurant which opens only for dinner, is considered one of the best in the Valley. The hotel offers different activities such as a tour around Coquelicot Estate, the vineyards of the owner.
Outdoors activities:
Going around the area and discovering the different towns of the place is the perfect plan if you visit this region. Los Olivos is one of the must- see towns. It is just 9 kilometres away from Solvang and it seems to have come out from a movie.
Along the route that links both towns there are tens of vineyards that can be visited and where people can do wine tasting if they want. And for those we love sports, the paths are perfect to ride bikes, walk or run around.
June and July are lavender blossom months. This time of the year is perfect to visit the Clairmont Lavender Farms, where you can also buy typical local products.
If you visit Solvang, please share your experience with us using the hashtag #LeBanana