Windmills, world-class wine, aebleskiver fresh from the pan, a Viking ship newly arrived from Denmark, and a one-of-a-kind troll who just celebrated her first birthday. Solvang, CA in summer rewards the curious, a Danish village in the California hills that has quietly become one of the Central Coast’s most compelling destinations. Whether you arrive by car along the coast, by train through wine country, or simply by finally making good on a trip you’ve been meaning to take, what’s waiting on the other side is worth it.
Scoop, Sip, Repeat
In Solvang, CA, the treat options are as layered as the town itself, from Italian gelato makers to craft cocktail lounges to Danish-inspired boba. Here’s where to start:
- Solvang Trolley Ice Cream Parlor: Scoops served inside a windmill? Yes, please. Try classic cones, seasonal flavors, or towering sundaes with all the toppings.
- Alessio Artisanal Gelato: Handcrafted in small batches, Alessio’s gelato brings Italian-inspired flavors and smooth textures perfect for a warm afternoon stroll.
- Café Dolce: Blackberry lemonade, iced teas, fruit smoothies, and artful espresso drinks, all made to refresh and recharge.
- Solvang Flavors: This gelato and espresso bar offers unique artisan flavors like French Chef salted caramel, lavender honey, and classic tiramisu.
- Drover’s Doughnuts: Known for donuts, but don’t miss their take on the viral favorite: Dirty Sodas, chilled sodas mixed with cream and flavor shots for a sweet sip with a twist.
- High Roller Tiki Lounge: Island-style escape in the middle of a Danish village. Sip something tropical from a new custom Cali Bob tiki mug, try the Solvang Siren or The Mermaid Bowl.
- Sano Pecado: Acai bowls, smoothies, agua fresca, michel agua, fruit cups.. take your pick at Sano Pecado on Alisal Road!
- Hygge Boba: Danish-inspired boba tea in the heart of Solvang, CA, because why not pair the coziest concept in Danish culture with everyone’s favorite chewy sip.
- SYV Creamery: NEW local shop located at 1693 Mission Drive. Be sure to swing in for a scoop!
School’s Out. Solvang’s Ready.
Summer in Solvang, CA has no shortage of things to keep young ones (and grown ups) entertained. Start at Craft and Create, Solvang’s DIY craft lounge, exactly the kind of hands-on, no-screen activity that makes summer feel like summer. Drop in for a creative session the whole family can do together.
For the adventure-seekers, Secret Solvang’s Kids Viking Tour (Saturdays, ages 5–12) sends little ones on a quest through downtown hunting for clues, learning Viking lore, feasting on fresh aebleskiver, and finishing with game tokens at the Arcade at peasants DELI. At the California Nature Art Museum, Lulu Hyggelig, Thomas Dambo’s one-of-a-kind indoor troll, is always ready to make a new friend, alongside rotating exhibits that make the natural world come alive.
PCPA’s summer season at the open-air Solvang Festival Theater brings Disney’s Frozen and Beehive: The ’60s Musical to the stage with evening shows under the stars that turn a Solvang night into something special.
Plan a Family TripSplash and Stay: The Pool is Waiting
A great Solvang, CA trip deserves a great place to land at the end of the day, and these properties make the decision easy:
- Alisal Ranch
- Corque Hotel, Solvang, CA A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
- King Frederik
- Royal Copenhagen Inn
- Solvang Inn and Cottages
- Kronborg Inn
- Vinland Hotel
Getting Here
Part of Solvang’s appeal is how easy it is to get here… by car, by air, or by train.
By air: Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) offers direct flights from San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Portland, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Dallas, making Solvang reachable from nearly anywhere in the country. Santa Maria Airport (SMX) and SLO Regional Airport are also convenient options with connections to major hubs.
By train: Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner runs up and down the California coast into Santa Barbara, where the Amtrak Thruway Connection Bus carries passengers up and over the hill and drops them right at Solvang Park just steps from hotels, bakeries, and tasting rooms.
By car: Los Angeles is about 2.5 hours up the coast. The Bay Area runs 4–5 hours through some of California’s most scenic stretches. The Santa Ynez Valley on the way in? Consider it part of the trip.
Once you’re here: Solvang’s downtown is entirely walkable, and bike rentals make it even easier to get around. For wine country exploring, local taxi and tour services, Uber, and the village trolleys all have you covered. Santa Ynez Valley Transit (SYVT) runs convenient routes throughout the valley, including extended summer evening hours and a stop at Flying Flags RV Resort in Buellton, perfect for campers and RVers who want to park it and ride in. Full schedule at syvt.com.
Plan Your Trip
Show Solvang Wineries Some Love
Three Solvang favorites are in the running for USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and voting is live now. Winners are announced Wednesday, July 29 at noon… so don’t wait!
- Best Wine Bar: Clean Slate Wine Bar
- Best Wine Tasting Room: Final Girl Wines
- Best Winery Tour: Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards (with a tasting room right in downtown Solvang, CA)
You can vote once per day per category, which means there’s still time to make a difference. Cast your votes and help put Solvang, CA on the national map.
Book Your Stay
The itinerary is set, the pool shortlist is bookmarked, and the reasons to go have long since outweighed the reasons to wait. Solvang’s current lodging specials make it easy to commit, whether you’re drawn to a long summer weekend or a quieter midweek escape, when the village slows to exactly the right pace and the best tables are a little easier to get. Browse current deals across Solvang’s full range of hotels, inns, and cottages and find the stay that fits.
View Lodging Specials
