A Curious Danish Town In The Santa Ynez Valley, California
Solvang is a Danish town in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, California. Curious, right? If you want to know its origin, as well as all the tourist possibilities it offers, do not hesitate to continue reading. Without a doubt, it is a corner that will not leave you indifferent.
Origin of the Danish people in the Santa Ynez Valley
In the mid-19th century, many Danes began to emigrate to the United States. Despite this, it was not until 1906 that a pastor from one of the Danish communities in Iowa considered creating a new community on the West Coast of the country.
In 1911 land was purchased in the Santa Ynez Valley. Immediately, construction began on what would be the town of Solvang. One of the first buildings was the Bethania Evangelical Lutheran Church. It is in the Gothic style, like the religious buildings of the Danish villages.
Later, after the end of World War II, the Danish-born residents of Solvang began to build their homes modeled after the half-timbered country houses of the Scandinavian country.
Currently, the town is inhabited by about 5,000 people. This amount increases with tourists who are attracted each year by the possibility of knowing a place of their own in northern Europe in the state of California.
What to see in Solvang
As we have anticipated, Solvang offers various tourist possibilities. One of its attractions is the museum dedicated to Hans Christian Andersen. Here all kinds of objects and books related to the Danish writer are exhibited and exhibitions are held. In the town there is also a bust of this famous character.
In Solvang there is another very different museum, dedicated to historical horse carriages. Parks-Janeway Carriage House features excellent displays and vehicles that roamed the Santa Ynez Valley roads. It opens from Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 to 16:00.
Also, in Solvang you can find several replicas of outstanding Danish monuments. Thus, there is a miniature version of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen or the Rundetarn observatory, the 17th century tower located in the center of the capital of the European country.
Other attractions of Solvang are the Lutheran church or its windmill, located on Alisal street, one of the main streets that crosses the Danish town in Valle Santa Ynez. This mill allows us to recreate our own Danish stamp.
Solvang Attractions
In addition to sightseeing, in Solvang you cannot miss the opportunity to taste its gastronomy, typical of Denmark. In fact, in the village there are numerous restaurants and patisseries where you can buy, for example, the famous Danish pastry.
After regaining strength, nothing like touring this Danish town in the Santa Ynez Valley on the Solvang Trolley or Honen. It is an elegant carriage that will allow us to get to know this unique corner in a totally different way.
You can also attend one of their parties. One of the most curious celebrations is the Danish Days, in which the typical traditions of the Scandinavian country are celebrated. For example, wooden sculptures, torchlight parades or reconstructions from the Viking age are made.
Equally recommended is the Julefest, which takes place during Christmas. In it you can see living nativity scenes, horseback riding and thousands of colored lights adorning the town. And on New Years, what you do is burn the Christmas trees.
How to get to Solvang
Accessing this curious Danish town in the Santa Ynez Valley is very simple. It all depends on where we are. But, for example, from Los Angeles you can get there by public transport. It is a trip of four hours, two less if we go by rental car.
We will have to do less travel if we are in Santa Barbara, as it is located about forty minutes from Solvang. Along the way you can visit San Luis Obispo and Hearst Castle.
After reading these lines, you will have been able to verify that this Danish town in the Santa Ynez Valley allows us to move to Denmark without leaving the state of California. In addition, its tourist possibilities allow you to live a unique experience.
