DAY TRIP Solvang Danish Town

Danish for “sunny field,” Solvang was founded in 1911 on 9,000 acres of former Spanish land. Danish settlers built on the land, making the buildings and school a model of the home they left behind. Over time, the area became something of a California landmark, visited by the Danish princes and profiled by the Saturday Evening Post. With those events, Solvang started to become a tourist attraction and still welcomes that post now.

While many come to Solvang to visit and see a slice of Danish life near the central coast of California, the city still has a rich environment of Danish-American people living in Solvang who help to establish and keep up the Danish traditions that make the city unique.

GETTING THERE

Take the I-405 north for about 52 miles. Exit onto the CA-101 north toward Ventura. Use exit 101B for State Street toward Cachuma Lake/CA-154. Take a slight left at Calle Real. Turn right at CA-154/San Marcos Pass Road and then left at CA-246 West Mission Drive.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Solvang offers an array of various places to stay while visiting the quaint Danish town. From bed and breakfasts to conference hotels to RV/camping sites, Solvang has visitors covered. Area hotels can vary in price and amenities. Some offer themed rooms revolving around a gypsy lifestyle, a ’50s scene, and one place even offers the chance to stay the night in a covered wagon.

WINE TASTING

In Solvang alone, not including the Santa Ynez Valley, there are 23 places to try some of California’s best wines at wineries and tasting rooms. One of the featured wineries is Tastes of the Valleys, a wine bar inspired by, but not associated with, the Oscar-nominated film “Sideways.” Solvangusa.com has a list of various wineries and methods of learning about them.

If one chooses to venture outside Solvang for wine tasting, Santa Barbara County has 18,000 acres of grapevines and more than 60 wineries. Wine in this area is especially famous for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

DINING

Dining in Solvang can range from less than $15 to more than $35 per person with various styles and ethnic cuisine. But the main attraction for dining in Solvang is the Danish food offered at various establishments. There are eight Danish restaurants in Solvang, most of them offering the cultural delights like frikadeller (meat balls), medisterpolse (sausages) and rodkaal (red cabbage). Also there are four major Danish bakeries that offer pastries and bread, as well as the aebleskiver, a Danish pancaked ball, dusted with powdered sugar and smothered in jam.

FLY FISHING

The Alisal Fly Fishing School promises to teach visitors the art of fly fishing in four days and three nights. Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley feature beautiful landscapes with deer, hawks and other wildlife to see while venturing down Alisal lake to take a turn at fly fishing. Fishing is on a catch-and-release basis and is only offered to guests who reserve time. Equipment necessary for fishing is available to rent. The lake advertises some of the best bass fishing in the state, and all the bass are naturally spawned. Reservations can be made by calling (805) 698-2879 or visit www.breakwatertours.com.

— Daniel Tedford