Solvang

Not too many people in the United States can say they live in the “Danish Capital of America,” but those who live in Solvang, California, certainly can. The Danish-themed Central Coast town is tucked away in the oak- and sycamore-dotted rolling hills of the Santa Ynez Valley, about 3 miles east of U.S. Highway 101 (“the 101”) along State Route 246, and in the backyard of Santa Barbara County’s famed wine country.

Though the Old World-style architecture of Solvang’s commercial core may look like a movie set, Solvang is indeed an honest-to-goodness real community with just over 6,000 permanent residents who live, work, play, grocery shop, and go to school here. Retirees comprise roughly a third of residents.

Solvang does indeed have authentic Danish roots. It was settled near the turn of the 20th century by Danish immigrants who wanted to preserve their culture, so they built the town to suit this purpose. You’ll see plenty of half-timbered European-style structures with steep, gabled roofs, and yes, even a few traditional-looking windmills. Small clothing and souvenir shops, numerous cafes, and specialty bakeries selling fudge, pastries and Danish aebleskivers (similar to doughnut holes) comprise the bulk of the village center along Mission and Copenhagen drives and a collection of side streets.

Because Solvang is a bonafide tourist attraction as well as a residential community, those who live here will have to embrace the year-round weekend crowds and summertime busloads of visitors that can create gridlock on Mission Drive, the main road into town.

Properties in the neighborhood tracts, many of which are single story with tile roofs and stucco exteriors, were primarily built throughout the 1960s and ‘90s. Traditional ranch-style homes, condominiums and townhomes cover the most common architectural types, but there are new builds and a growing collection of spectacular custom homes. The median home price in Solvang is about $1.6 million.

Local Realtor Lisa Allen with Village Properties says it’s not uncommon for residents to make the 30-to-40-minute commute into Santa Barbara for jobs. They choose the Solvang area to put down roots, she says, because "the valley is beautiful, it has a “small-town feel,” and there’s less traffic. Allen adds that properties, by comparison to Santa Barbara, are also more affordable.

The Solvang School District serves the community and includes Solvang Elementary School on Atterdag Road, home to the aptly named Viking Warriors. The school covers kindergarten through 8th grade instruction.

Several parks are sprinkled throughout the town, including Hans Christian Andersen Park, named after the prolific Danish author, Solvang Park. About 6 miles south of town via Alisal Road is Nojoqui Falls Park, an 85-acre county green space that features a waterfall, hiking trails and group picnicking areas that are perfect for gatherings large or small.

Residents shop for groceries at Valley Fresh on Alamo Pintado Road, El Rancho Market on Mission Drive (State Route 246), and Albertsons in nearby Buellton, about 3 miles west. There’s also a Wednesday afternoon farmers market in Solvang on First Street between Mission and Copenhagen drives, where residents can pick up the freshest produce from local vendors.

When it comes to things to do, there’s a full slate of options here. Living in wine country means you’re never far from a tasting room or a vineyard to tour. On Mission Drive, you can check out Old Mission Santa Ines, dating to 1804, one of the Golden State's 21 historic Spanish missions. As you leave Solvang toward Santa Ynez, Casino-style gaming can be had at the popular Chumash Casino Resort, a AAA four-diamond-rated hotel.

And with the Los Padres National Forest in your backyard, including Cachuma Lake, you can go hiking, rent a boat, fish and camp all right here. Don’t miss Cold Spring Tavern, a former stagecoach stop off San Marcos Pass Road (State Route 154), practically a tradition for area residents, especially on Saturdays and Sundays for barbecued tri-tip sandwiches served outside to a lively crowd.

With its enviable location just 35 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, life is good in Solvang.

Photography Contributed By

Joseph Palacios