Solvang

The true flavor of Solvang lies in its quiet, tree-lined streets, half-timber Danish-style buildings, and ample shops, restaurants, and bakeries, not to mention its annual Danish Days festival. Other cultural attractions include the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, dedicated to Denmark's most famous author. Solvang is also a popular stop for cyclists, with numerous cycling-related events held in and around town—the Tour of California often passes through, too.

• This unique attraction is a must-visit for anyone interested in Danish culture in North America.

• With good facilities for cyclists, the town is a popular stop for cycle tours.

• Parking is free across Solvang, with free daytime RV parking at Veterans Memorial Hall.

• Most of the town's shops and attractions are wheelchair-accessible.

Solvang is located roughly 35 miles north of Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County, and the journey between the two cities takes around 45 minutes to an hour during moderate traffic. The surrounding area is full of vineyards and wineries and is a popular destination for wine-tasting tours from Santa Barbara; Santa Ynez is under a 10-minute drive away. As public transportation in the area is spotty, the easiest way to visit the town is by renting a car or coming as part of an organized tour.

Solvang is a year-round destination, though it's at its most crowded during the summer months. While summers here can be quite hot, things start to cool off in September, just in time for the Danish Days cultural festival. Solvang’s winters are generally mild, and the town sees fewer visitors then; visit around Christmas to learn how the Danes celebrate the holiday.

Solvang is at its most exciting during the annual Danish Days, a 3-day celebration of all things Danish. The festival features free concerts, a crafts market, historical reenactments, and a variety of culinary events, from eating contests to traditional breakfasts. There's also a beer-and-wine garden and plenty of special activities for kids.

Yes. Solvang is located in central California's Santa Ynez Valley wine country. The town is known for Danish-themed architecture, European bakeries, wine tasting, and its cameo in the 2004 wine-themed movie, Sideways. This Danish Capital of America offers wine tasting, windmill chasing, aebleskiver (a traditional Danish pastry) sampling, and boutique shopping.

With great weather year-round, there's not a bad time to visit Solvang. However, April, May, and June bring pleasant weather and not too many visitors. Several annual events draw tourists, including December's Julefest and fall's Grape Stomp. The town celebrates its Danish heritage in mid-September for Danish Days.

Typical Solvang tours involve visiting local wineries or doing wine tasting at local tasting rooms, by foot, sidecar, shuttle, or e-bike. Other ways to enjoy the beauty and Danish heritage of this quaint town include horseback riding, cycling, historic walking and Segway tours, and downtown scavenger hunts.

No. You don't need a Solvang ticket to enter this town in central California's Santa Barbara Valley. The Danish village features European architecture and bakeries, a giant clog statue, a Little Mermaid statue, and windmills that dot its quaint downtown area. Some attractions do require admission, including Ostrichland and museums.

Solvang offers visitors free parking at three public parking lots. These can be found at 1639 Copenhagen Drive, 464 Alisal Road, and 1616 Oak Street. The Solvang tourism website offers a downtown walking map to help you choose the best parking lot for your visit.

Many visitors make wine tasting their focus in Solvang as it has 20 downtown tasting rooms and 125 area vineyards. Be sure to take time to stroll the downtown, dotted with windmills, and seek out places to try Aebleskiver, museums about the town's Danish heritage, art galleries, and unique boutiques.