15 Cool Things to Do in Solvang, CA

I’m a Southern California local who loves spending time in Solvang, an adorable Danish town in the Santa Ynez Valley. I’ve written this guide to help you plan your trip there, so get ready to go antique shopping, taste fantastic wine, and sample aebleskiver from top-rated bakeries!

Solvang’s traditional Danish architecture and abundance of windmills will make you feel like you’re taking a tiny trip to Europe. There are so many fun things to do in Solvang — there’s a reason this is one of the best day trips from LA, after all.

Here’s exactly what to do on your next trip!

15 Best Things to Do in Solvang

Old Mission Santa Inés

Experience history in a centuries-old Spanish mission.

📍 Google Map | Phone: (805) 688-4815 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Mon-Sat; 10 am – 4 pm Sun (self-guided tour) | Entrance: $12 adults, $8 youth (6-12), free for children under 6

Old Mission Santa Inés is a Spanish mission founded in 1804 that stands out from the Danish architecture of the town. It features various artifacts from the mission’s history, as well as an artfully designed and well-maintained chapel.

Consider visiting the mission if you’re looking to experience a slice of history. Stroll through the peaceful gardens behind the chapel before you leave, which feature lemon trees, herbs, and religious statues.

Aebleskiver

Taste a traditional Danish treat.

📍 Multiple Locations

You can’t visit Solvang without trying this hard-to-pronounce but easy-to-eat Danish pastry! Aebleskiver is best described as a round, fluffy, doughnut-like confection, served hot with fresh jam and topped with powdered sugar.

Take it from me – you don’t need to wait until after dinner to try aebleskiver. Enjoy them for breakfast to get into the Danish spirit before a day of exploring the town!

You’ll find this delicious treat at various restaurants throughout town, but Solvang Restaurant is one of the best spots for it. The restaurant even sells aebleskiver pans so you can try your hand at making this tasty treat at home.

Cali Love

Party it up at Solvang’s funkiest tasting room.

📍 Google Map | Phone: (805) 688-1678 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 10 pm Sun-Tue; 3 pm – 10 pm Thu; 11 am – 11 pm Fri; 10 am – 11 pm Sat; Closed Wed

Guitar pick-studded walls, refreshing sangria slushies — Cali Love is much more than just a wine-tasting room. Come here if you’re looking for wine tasting in a funky, upbeat atmosphere.

Cali Love is open later than many other spots in the area, so it’s the perfect place for late-night drinks after a day on the town. The bartending staff is friendly and fun, and will more than likely encourage you to get on stage on karaoke night.

You can even add your own guitar pick to the wall! Just ask the bartender – they’ll give you a pick and a marker so you can personalize it and leave your mark behind.

Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery

Treat yourself to Danish pastries and baked goods.

📍 Google Map | Phone: (805) 688-6314 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 6 pm Mon-Fri; 7 am – 7 pm Sat-Sun

Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery is a popular spot people hit when they visit Solvang, and it’s no wonder why. Here, you’ll find a vast selection of pastries, bread, cakes, and a variety of traditional Danish pastries like apple strudels, Danish waffles, butter cookies, and kringle. 

🛎️ Want a hotel & a treat? When you book at Solvang Inn & Cottages, you get a voucher for free breakfast at Olsen’s!

Solvang Trolley

Cruise through town in a horse-drawn streetcar.

📍 Google Map | Phone: (805) 794-8958 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Wed-Thu; 11 am – 6 pm Fri-Mon; Closed Tue | Entrance: $18, adults, $14 children (3-11)

Horse-drawn carriages and trolleys are both fun ways to ride around town. But how about doing both at the same time? The Solvang Trolley combines the best of both worlds, offering delightful rides in a horse-drawn trolley.

On your trolley ride through town, you’ll enjoy a narrated tour from the conductor. You can also stop by the Solvang Trolley Ice Cream Parlor for some classic frozen treats – perfect for a summer day with the kids.

Hans Christian Andersen Museum

Learn more about this legendary Danish fairytale author at this local museum.

📍 Google Map | Phone: (805) 688-2052 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily; until 4 pm on Sundays | Entrance: free

You’ve probably already heard of Hans Christian Andersen, the beloved Danish writer whose original works include The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, and The Princess and the Pea. Plan to visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum if any of his fairy tales have charmed you over the years!

Here, you’ll learn about the writer’s life and his stories. Plus, the museum is inside a bookstore, so you can buy some stories to bring home with you when you finish perusing.

After visiting, head to Hans Christian Andersen Park which is filled with oak trees, picnic tables, and a playground for kids to enjoy.

Wine Tasting Rooms

Sample Solvang’s most famous beverage at a wine tasting.

📍 Google Map | Phone: (805) 686-9336 | Website | Hours (Lucas & Lewellen): 10 am – 4:30 pm daily; until 5:30 pm on Saturdays

Wine tasting in Solvang is a great way to sample handcrafted wines from the Santa Ynez Valley without having to drive out to a vineyard.

There are more than 15 tasting rooms in downtown Solvang for you to choose from, all within a few blocks of each other. So put on your walking shoes, and hit the tasting rooms! Lucas & Lewellen, Royal Oaks Winery, and Dascomb Cellars are a few great places to start.

Copenhagen Sausage Garden

Hang out & enjoy the hearty fare at this outdoor biergarten.

📍 Google Map | Phone: (805) 697-7354 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 8 pm Mon-Thu; 11 am – 9 pm Fri & Sat; 10 am – 8 pm Sun

When it comes to savory, filling comfort food, Copenhagen Sausage Garden has got the market cornered. Here, you can order from an extensive menu filled with sausages, schnitzel, burgers, and a variety of sides. Don’t miss the cheese curds!

Copenhagen Sausage Garden offers beer and wine options that pair perfectly with its menu items. There are also vegan options available, and the outdoor dining area is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the gorgeous California weather.

Downtown Solvang

Explore the sights & hunt for antiques in this traditional Danish town.

📍 Google Map

Walk around Solvang to find a whole gamut of things to do. The downtown area is walkable and there are so many restaurants, bakeries, wineries, and shops, including dozens of hidden gems.

Solvang has plenty of stores peddling local products – famously wine and infused olive oils. Pop into one of these shops for an olive oil tasting, and leave with a memento you can cook with at home!

Keep an eye out for tiny antique shops, or follow your nose into a bakery or ice cream shop. And while you wander, enjoy the Danish architecture that has become Solvang’s signature look.

Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum

Explore a collection of rare and vintage motorcycles.

📍 Google Map | Phone: (805) 686-9522 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Sat & Sun; Closed Mon-Fri | Entrance: $10 (cash only), adults, free for children under 10

Motorcycles might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you picture a quaint Danish town. But just up the block from Old Mission Santa Ines, you’ll find the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum.

The museum mainly focuses on racing motorcycles but still covers a pretty broad spectrum. The motorcycles date back to the early 1900s and include bikes from around the world.

Motorcycles are rotated monthly, so you can check out different displays each time you go. Motor on over to this museum if you’re a motorcycle, history, or vintage enthusiast.

Antique Stores

Hunt for treasures in shops offering vintage goods.

📍 Google Map

Solvang is an antique shopper’s paradise, with more than 30 antique dealers throughout town. Many of these dealers are set up inside Pieces of the Past, which is a mall specializing in antiques and vintage items. Here, you can find everything from gorgeous vintage furniture to collectibles from years past. 

California Nature Art Museum

Admire art focused on the natural world.

📍 Google Map | Phone: (805) 688-1082 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 4 pm Mon, Thu, Fri; 10 am – 5 pm Sat & Sun; Closed Tue & Wed | Entrance: $7, adults, free for children under 18

The California Nature Art Museum sits on the edge of town near Hans Christian Andersen Park. It’s the perfect spot for nature and fine art lovers.

The museum has displayed work by famed American nature photographers Ansel Adams and Alan Ross. And much of the art is nature-centric and specific to Santa Barbara County. This makes it a good place to get a taste of the local environment and aesthetic.

👉 Read Next: 48 Best Things to Do in San Diego, CA

Solvang Restaurant

Sample Danish cuisine in a historical setting.

📍 Google Map | Phone: (805) 688-4645 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 3 pm Mon-Fri; 7 am – 5 pm Sat & Sun

Don’t leave Solvang without heading to Solvang Restaurant for a hearty meal. This family-friendly Danish restaurant has classic wooden booths featuring fun facts about movies that were filmed inside.

For lunch, try a sandwich with Danish-style meatballs or go for the Danish waffles. And of course, Solvang Restaurant serves fresh aebleskiver – get ‘em while they’re hot!

Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe

Feast on European treats at this old-world bakery.

📍 Google Map | Phone: (805) 688-8188 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 5 pm Mon, Wed, Thu; 7 am – 6 pm Fri & Sat; 7 am – 5:30 pm Sun; Closed Tue

Birkhom’s Bakery & Cafe offers a wide selection of Danish cookies, pastries, and bread, as well as coffee to wash it all down. It’s a family-owned business that has been a staple in Solvang since the 1950s.

You can tell the Birkholms take pride in their bakery – the service is top-notch, and so are the butter cookies! Don’t miss this gem when you visit Solvang. And don’t forget to pick up a tub of butter cookies to enjoy on your trip home.

Solvang Theaterfest

Enjoy live music and shows in the great outdoors.

📍 Google Map | Phone: (805) 686-1789 | Website

Calling all theater lovers – the Solvang Theaterfest is here to dazzle you with live performances!

This is an open-air venue where you can catch plays, musicals, and concerts. During summer, the theater hosts Music in the Garden, a Sunday concert series where you can listen to funk, R&B, bluegrass, reggae, and more.

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I hope this guide helps you get started as you plan your trip to Solvang! I’m certain you’ll have an incredible time in this little Danish town.

Oh, and if you’re looking for more travel inspo, see our list of the best places to visit in California!