A hearty selection of international wines, cheeses, and condiments are. Mar 30, 2020 once home to one of solvangs most artistic families, the museum is dedicated to curating and preserving solvangs history. A castle, a palace or even a pub or an old police station can be transformed into a historic hotel as long as it has special significance. Located in solvang, california, the elverhoj museum is the former residence of one of solvangs most artistic families, which is now a community museum devoted to the history of solvang, the danishamerican pioneer spirit, the colorful heritage of denmark, and the arts. Put on some comfortable shoes and let me show you the best things to do in solvang. Aug 21, 2018 youll find that many american small towns feel like something out of a painting or a textbook, transporting you back in time with their eraspecific architecture and lack of hightech culture. Immerse yourself into worldclass art, exciting history, and mindbending science. Cobblestone streets featuring old world architecture. A day in solvang california the denmark of the united states. Solvangs unique architecture was imported by its danish settlers. Solvang is home to two museums devoted to danish culture and to one presenting vintage motorcycles. Sep 18, 2019 a popular weekend destination in california, solvang is a unique town that looks like it should be in denmark, yet its right in the heart of the santa ynez valley about a 2. Traditional architecture and period features are often found in the communal spaces and guestrooms of these historic hotels in solvang, bringing the history to life.
Information about solvang events, festivals, restaurants, danish days, theaterfest and things to do in solvang. Meander through the tidy, flowerlined streets of this pedestrianfriendly village to view the danish architecture and large european style windmills, a clock tower plus statues of hans christian andersen and the little mermaid fountain. May 24, 2020 looking to get inspired on your trip to solvang. The staff at the visitors center are very friendly especially the affable old man who was very detailed in his explanation of the town and its attractions visitor center in solvang has friendly and courteous staff who are willing to help tourists to make the most of their stay in solvang. Check out the best museums in solvang to visit in 2020. Celebrating its centennial in 2011, solvang means sunny field in danish. This day in solvang history eseries the history of solvangs danish look. See more ideas about solvang california, santa ynez valley and santa barbara county. The hans christian andersen museum, located above the book loft. Hire the best residential architects and engineers in solvang, ca on homeadvisor. It draws a lot of inspiration from the country, preserving its history and culture from the good, old times. Atterdag college video 18 minutes solvang, founded in 1911, began as a dream of three danish immigrants. Vinhus of solvang, 440 alisal road, sells a selection of european imported groceries.
The solvang vintage motorcycle museum is comprised of 95 of the most rare vintage and classic motorcycles that most will ever have the opportunity of viewing. Danish for sunny field is a city in santa barbara county, california. Places to stay the 9 best cheap hotels in new york city. An insiders guide to the best things to do in solvang.
Hans christian andersen museum 1680 mission drive solvang ca 93463 hans christian andersen museum is located upstairs in the book loft building, 1680 mission drive. The book loft is located in the beautiful danish city of solvang in santa barbara county. Solvang s main attraction is the towns european heritage and architecture as it gives you a taste of europe in the heart of california. No passport needed to visit the little danish replica village. Founded by danish immigrants in 1911, solvang boasts authentic architecture, thatched roofs, oldworld craftsmanship and traditional windmills.
Solvang danish for sunny field is a visual delight of danishstyle architecture complete with windmills. Named by sunset magazine as one of the 10 most beautiful small towns in the western united states, solvangs rich heritage dates back to 1911 when adventurous danishamericans traversed the plains from iowa to establish a settlement in the golden state of california. About solvang, california santa ynez vacation rentals. You will appreciate both the architectural and folk ambience of the cultural icons scattered throughout solvang and the santa ynez valley.
This type of construction was popular in denmark as early as the 16th century. Book the cobblestone streets featuring old world architecture. The gentle rolling hills, windmills, quiet streets, horse drawn carriages, family bicycles, golf courses, horse ranches, wineries, danish bakeries, authentic danish costumes worn by some shop keepers, danish smorgasbord restaurant, museums, and solvang history, in the danish. Solvang is a small touristy village located in santa barbara county, about one hour drive from the city of santa barbara.
What began as a danish colony has become something entirely. Bart has a telephone conversation with a switchboard operator in solvang, and a wooden solvang air airliner, whose fuselage resembles buildings in the town, is shown landing at springfield airport. About solvang, california solvang history solvang conference. Elverhoj museum releases book on solvangs complete history. Discover hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in solvang, california from ostrichland usa to hans christian andersen museum. Solvang white pages phone books in california ca whitepages. Solvang is a city in santa barbara county, california. The exterior style is reminiscent of both danish and elizabethan architecture.
You can see several special sculptures and busts in downtown including a copy of the famous little mermaid statue from copenhagen, as well as one featuring the bust of famed danish fable writer hans christian andersen. Top 9 things to do in solvang in 2020 and heres why. Many specialize in handcrafted or danishstyle toys. As a 501c6, a nonprofit destination marketing organization, the solvang conference and visitors bureau promotes the culture and activities of the danish capital of america, nestled in the santa ynez valley wine country on californias central coast, approximately thirty minutes north of santa. At public works, our goal is to provide safe, cost effective and environmentally responsible public facilities and service to the residents and visitors of solvang. Named by sunset magazine as one of the 10 most beautiful small towns in the western united states, solvang s rich heritage dates back to 1911 when adventurous danishamericans traversed the plains. If youre looking for a trip back in time thats both picturesque and interesting, step into a history book in these charming small towns.
The streets are flanked with danish farmstyle architecture and windmills of all. Whitepages is the largest and most trusted online phone book and directory. An independent bookstore since 1970, we have served the needs of local residents of the santa ynez valley, visitors from scandinavian countries, visiting tourists from all over the world, and those that appreciate individual care from the knowledgeable staff. Form, space, and order has served as the classic introduction to the basic vocabulary of architectural design the updated and revised fourth edition features the fundamental elements of space and form and is designed to. I found another charming space tucked into the attic of the independent bookstore, the book loft 1680 mission dr. Literally meaning brick and timber, this halftimber construction technique sometimes using stucco as an alternative to brick is typical to danish medieval buildings. Attractions hotels in solvang ca royal copenhagen inn. Old world danish architecture is evident throughout solvang, california. In forbes, may 11, 2020, appeared the article in tiny solvang, california. It began in 1602 when explorer sebastian vizcaino, sailing from spanishruled mexico, survived a huge storm on the eve of saint barbaras feast day. The main room at elverhoj includes a variety of exhibits ranging from viking artifacts and prehistoric tools to historical photos and artifacts from solvangs early years.
We do not cordon the bikes behind rope, so you can get up close. This city offers a unique and historical place to explore. If youre pressed for time, you can simply stop by to admire the building, which incorporates scandinavian architecture. Popular attractions solvang vintage motorcycle museum and elverhoj museum of history and art are located nearby. The architecture of many of the facades and buildings reflects traditional danish. Step into a history book in these charming small towns. Your comprehensive online guide to find the perfect solvang hotel. For more than forty years, the beautifully illustrated architecture. The population was 5,245 at the 2010 census, down from 5,332 at the 2000 census. My 1920s house on the corner of alisal and oak, with its white picket fence in solvangs downtown area has always attracted many compliments and questions from locals and tourists alike. The 10 best museums youll want to visit in solvang tripadvisor. Top 10 hotels in solvang, california cancel free on most. Cool and unusual things to do in solvang atlas obscura.
The city was founded in 1911 by a group of danes who settled in the west to escape midwestern winters in ohio. To achieve this objective, the department strives for efficient use of available resources and implementation of new maintenance technologies and environmental regulations as they. Solvang, california official visitor guide for solvang. Denmark in america describes the charming village of solvang, california. The elverhoj museum of history and art is an easy way to explore the danish roots of the region, with exhibitions that are sure to engage families and anyone with an interest in history. Exhibits tell solvangs rich history, celebrate the colorful. Solvang was named by orbitz worldwide travel as one of the top 5 us domestic destinations with international flair. At first, solvangs infrastructure resembled any other western town in california with a main street. It was my inspiration for the architecture of our cottages, and to showcase that 1920s craftsman style evident in early solvang homes. Hornsyld who wanted to escape midwestern winters and establish a new settlement in the west. Jun 17, 2019 most buildings in the village of solvang have halftimbered danish provincial style, some even have thatched roofs. Discover the best and latest articles about architecture in solvang, california. Mortensens danish bakery, 1588 mission dr, solvang, ca 93463. The elverhoj museum is devoted to preserving the danish heritage of solvang with its danishamerican pioneer.
But before you consider moving there, there are a few things you should know. Solvang features a 700 seat open air festival theater. The lutheran church, built in 1928, was the first building to incorporate traditional danish architecture, and in the 1930s, residents started building their homes in the danish medieval style, which is characterized by halftimber facades. Solvangs literal definition translates to sunny field, and the town was founded by three danish educators reverend benedict nordentoft, reverend j. Solvang offers a perfect feel of denmark with its typical landscape, windmills, traditional bakeries, and novel architecture.