How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Solvang, CA

As far as actually exploring the town of Solvang goes, you only really need a day. It’s pretty small, and a day gives you more than enough time to get the full Solvang experience. 

That said, there are so many great things to do and places to explore in the greater area! You can easily spend a weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley checking out local wineries and exploring the other charming towns, including Los Olivos and Los Alamos.

When is the Best Time to Visit Solvang?

Admire the Architecture of Solvang & Check out the Solvang Windmill

Walking around Solvang and just taking in the views is an activity in itself! The town isn’t huge, so take your time strolling the streets, stopping in any shops that interest you (more on that below!), and simply enjoying the European-inspired architecture.

You’ll see plenty of cool architectural gems along Alisal Road and Copenhagen Drive (which are two of the main roads in town), as well as along Mission Drive, particularly between 5th Street and Atterdag Road. It’s also worth following Atterdag Road down to Atterdag Square.

As you walk around, you’ll also want to stop by the Solvang Windmill, also known as the Paaske Windmill. It was built in the early 1960s, and was inspired by a mill near Copenhagen.

This is the most famous windmill in town, but there are more, including: 

• The Hamlet Square Windmill
• The Solvang Brewing Windmill
• The Kronborg Inn Windmill (you’ll see it as you drive into town after visiting OstrichLand)

Enjoy a Pastry from a Danish Bakery

You can’t leave Solvang without indulging in some Danish sweets, so I recommend grabbing a bite to eat as you walk around town! 

There are five Danish bakeries in Solvang, all of which are within five blocks of each other…so you have a lot to choose from.

I particularly love Birkholm’s Bakery and Cafe, which is just down the street from the Solvang Windmill. They have a huge selection of delicious pastries, including a couple vegan options. The other options in town are Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, Mortensen’s Danish Bakery, Solvang Bakery, and Danish Mill Bakery.
In addition to the bakeries, there is also Solvang Restaurant, which serves ebelskivers (a Danish treat that is essentially a round pancake ball). Solvang Restaurant has a to-go window in front, as well as dine-in seating.

If you’re in need of a caffeine boost while you’re walking around town, I recommend stopping by Good Seed Coffee! I’m a big fan of the blue moon and beetroot lattes, but they have more traditional coffee and tea drinks as well.

Check Out the Cool Shops in Town

There are a ton of fun shops throughout Solvang, particularly along Alisal Road and Copenhagen Drive. A few of my favorite Solvang shops include:

• Solvang Shoe Store: You’ll know you’ve found it when you see the giant red clog out front! In addition to your “standard” shoes, this store also sells a collection of Danish clogs.
• Hanson’s Clock Shop Jewelers: The intricately detailed clocks at this shop are incredible.
• Jule Hus Inc.: If you want to pick up an ornament to commemorate your visit, this Christmas shop is the place to do it.

Stop by the Little Mermaid Fountain & Visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum

Once you’ve checked out some of the local shops, I recommend stopping by the Little Mermaid fountain. This fountain is a smaller replica of The Little Mermaid statue in Denmark. It was installed in 1976, and was authorized by the heirs of the sculptor of the original Copenhagen statue.

Right across the street is the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, which is located on the top floor of The Boot Loft. This free museum is super small, but worth a quick visit! It features a few exhibits about author Hans Christian Andersen

Get Lunch at a Local Eatery

Next up is lunch! Here are my top restaurant recommendations: 

• Copenhagen Sausage Garden: This casual outdoor garden is definitely one of my favorite spots in Solvang! Sausage options include (but are certainly not limited to!) bratwurst, currywurst, hot Italian, and veggie. Be sure to order a pretzel to share (or not), and some beer if you’re up for it. 
• Solvang Brewing Company: Relax with a pint of beer and some delicious pub food! Solvang Brewing offers a wide range of beer options, including IPAs, pale ales, saisons, and more. Food items include burgers, sandwiches, and more.

Choose Your Adventure: Do a Trolley Tour or Visit the Elverhoj Museum (or Do Both if Time Permits!)

After lunch, it’s time to learn more about Solvang! You can choose between doing a trolley tour or visiting a local museum. 

Note: I’ve included a tasting at a local winery in the next stop. If that’s not your vibe, you can easily do both of these activities! You also may be able to do both if you got an early enough start to the day. 

The Elverhøj Museum of History and Art is located in the former residence of a Solvang family. I’ve really enjoyed strolling through the museum and learning more about the history of Solvang, the Danish-American experience, and Danish culture. Admission is $5. It’s a fairly small museum, so you can expect to spend around 30 minutes to an hour here. 

The Solvang Trolley Tour is one of the most popular Solvang tours! On this 25-minute narrated trolley tour, you’ll learn about Solvang’s history and check out the unique architecture in town. Tickets can be booked in advance online.

Additional Things to Do In and Around Solvang

If you’ll be spending a bit of extra time in the area, there’s definitely no shortage of additional things to do! Here are a few more recommendations for activities and attractions in and around Solvang. 

Explore Solvang with a Specialized Guided Tour

In addition to the trolley tour, there are plenty of other unique Solvang tours. Some options to consider include:

• Spooky Solvang Ghost Hunting & History Tour
• Solvang Wine and True Crime Tour (Drinks Included!)
• Secret Solvang Food, Wine & Culture Tour with Tastings

Walk the Grounds at Old Mission Santa Ines

This Spanish mission dates back to 1804, and is located on the edge of Solvang, within walking distance of the Solvang Windmill. You can do a self-guided tour of the interior (there is a small fee), but I prefer to just walk the grounds and enjoy the view of the mission from the outside (which is free). 

Visit the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum

If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, consider adding this museum to your Solvang itinerary! The Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum has a collection of vintage and rare motorcycles, with an emphasis on racing motorcycles. Admission is $10, and they only take cash. Note that the museum is only open on weekends.

Visit Santa Barbara

The drive from Solvang to Santa Barbara is only about 45-minutes long. It’s definitely worth spending a day in Santa Barbara if you have the time! When visiting, be sure to walk through The Funk Zone, which is the city’s arts and culture district. You’ll find galleries and shops, as well as bars, restaurants, and wine tasting rooms.

I also suggest strolling down State Street (the main shopping and dining street in town) and making your way to the historic Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is also a gorgeous spot to explore!