Solvang is this cute little Danish city forty-five miles northwest of Santa Barbara. It was built in 1911 by a group of Danish educators. They thought it would be a great place to build a folk school. Danes from the Midwest and Denmark continued to migrate west to Solvang bringing their skills as farmers, teachers, carpenters, merchants and artisans. In 1936, as part of Solvang’s 25th anniversary celebration, the future King and Queen of Denmark visited and more interest in the community developed. By the end of W.W.II tourists were coming and more shops, bakeries, hotels and restaurants were built to make their visits more enjoyable. Today Solvang is still well known for their great wine and cheeses.
The city is filled with windmills, gaslamps, and cobblestone walks. A lot of them also have artificial nesting storks on their roofs, which are considered good luck. Its architecture reflects a Danish style which includes half-timbered walls, simulated thatch and copper roofs, dormers and decorative use of tile
This a really neat little city that is a must see if you are traveling along the coast. Here are a few local attractions:
| Old Mission Santa Ines | Hans Christian Anderson Museum | Elverhoj Museum of History & Art |
| Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society Museum | Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum | Wildling Art Museum |
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Page last updated August 2014
