Solvang: The Denmark of the West
Revised 4/2021
Recently, my dear
sis wanted to spend her sixth birthday with the fam in Disneyland (review). Never one to miss a chance
of sharing time with the crazy clan, my hubby and I packed up our Honda—including
plenty of dark chocolate peanut M & Ms--and sped out of our cozy hamlet of
Davis, CA for the long 400+ miles to the gray skies of Anaheim.
Note: Follow
CDC guidelines when visiting. Always
wear your face mask when in public.
On the Slow Road
After our
Disneyland visit and sad farewells, my husband and I decided that instead of
jumping back on I-5 north and drive straight home the next day, we’d opted for
a slow road trip home beginning with breakfast in the quaint, must-see Danish
town of Solvang. Thus, early the next
morning, we drove the 128 miles northwest—mostly on the scenic highway 101.
Famous for many
reasons, Huffington
Post recognized Solvang as the number two “Place to Travel to Europe
Without Leaving the USA.” Even without
Huff’s recommendation, I have always wanted to see the Danish-style buildings
of Solvang--some adorned with windmills--but never had the time to stop. However, this morning we made time because even
though the Danish specialty aebleskiver is
most popular, Danish pastries called my name.
Our Experience
We planned to overnight in nearby Buellton due to our
timeline so our time
was limited. Once we arrived, we found
free parking in the center of town with a helpful visitor center just steps
away. The cheerful attendant provided
maps to assist us in our Solvang adventure, even offering bakery suggestions.
With our newly acquired knowledge, we now walked the quaint streets confidently and quickly found one of her favorites, The Danish Mill Bakery and Coffee Shop. A long pastry-filled case welcomed us as we entered. Making our selections took much longer than downing them, as the choices were diverse and mouthwatering. It’s safe to say that I needed a long walk after that visit. Yum.
Restaurants, shops
of every sort and enticing lodging line the streets of Denmark. I mean, Solvang. We ventured inside a few boutiques and were
amazed at the fine crafts artwork and handmade lace. Unfortunately for us, it was too early in the
day to visit any of the more than 120 wineries within the area. Even so, I was tempted by the abundance of
tasting rooms—over 20!
Next Time
It is my sincerest
hope to visit again soon. Next time, we
will base ourselves in this lovely little hamlet and indulge in all the beauty,
wine and culinary delights for a nice long visit.
What are your experiences?
How adorable!! I would love to visit there! We haven't made our way out to California yet. One of these days...
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! I hope you do make it out here. I also hope your visit is in my area. Coffee and cupcake time :)
Delete