When you come to Solvang take your picture by one of four wooden windmills.

Are you visiting Solvang for the first time?

Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in California’s Little Denmark, that just turned 101 years old in 2012. Founded by Danish-Americans in 1911, Solvang means Sunny Fields in Danish and has plenty of old-world charm and a definite Northern European feel (no passport required). Surrounded by the vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley wine country, Solvang is a special gem in the heart of Santa Barbara County and California’s Central Coast.

When I have a visitor from out of town, I take them to a variety of places depending on their special interests. Definitely not to miss—a trip to an authentic Danish bakery for pastries, breads, kringles and aebleskiver (Danish pancake balls).  Solvang’s Danish heritage is displayed in the culinary delights found in numerous restaurants and bakeries: frikadeller (meatballs), medisterpølse (Danish sausage), rødkaal (red cabbage) and the smorgaasbord (buffet).

Solvang’s bakers create Danish pastries, kringles, marzipan, almond rings, cakes, cookies, tarts and breads at  Danish Mill Bakery (1682 Copenhagen Dr., 688-5805), Mortensen’s Danish Bakery (1588 Mission Dr., 688-8373), Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery & Coffee Shop (1529 Mission Dr., 688-6314). Besides the Danish baked treats, sweet offerings include Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates–handmade chocolates and an old-fashioned ice cream parlor or the Old Danish Food Farm with fresh fudge and candy apples.

No visit to Solvang is complete without enjoying a Danish favorite called aebleskiver

No visit to Solvang is complete without enjoying a Danish favorite called aebleskiver–light and airy pancake balls (pronounced aye-bell-ski-ver). The name may lead you to believe there are apple slices inside—and in many places of Denmark, that is how they are served; but in Solvang, the tradition is aebleskiver dusted with powdered sugar and served with raspberry jam. Legend has it that when Vikings were roaming up and down the coasts of Europe they used their dented horn helmets and shields to cook their favorite pancakes—which turned out round!

Looking for a quiet place to escape and unplug? Check out the tranquil gardens of Old Mission Santa Ines, 19^th in the chain of 21 California Missions. The view from the front of the Mission overlooking olive grove and vineyards and the Santa Ynez Mountains is lovely, too!

If you have kids traveling with you try Ostrich Land, a 33-acre breeding farm to see/feed more than 100 ostriches and some emus up close. Flag Is Up Farms, home of Monty Roberts, the “Man Who Listens to Horses,” is where visitors are welcome to see the equine facilities and trainers in action. Discover Quicksilver Miniature Horse Ranch, a breeding facility for 34-inch-and-under horses that welcomes visitors daily for free viewing from 10:00 am–3:00 pm and visit Seein’ Spots Farm, breeders of miniature donkeys and mules. You’ll want to call ahead for current opening/closing hours.

Looking for typical Danish cuisine, I recommend the Bit O’Denmark Restaurant

Solvang on food:

Solvang’s dozens of restaurants and cafés are noted for fresh local foods and gourmet wine-country cuisine, hearty American fare and Danish specialties, of course!  The bounty of nearby vineyards and wineries is easily sampled from more than a dozen wine tasting rooms and wine bars featuring a variety of vintners. For the freshest fruits, veggies, flowers and local items, check out the downtown Farmers’ Market, between Mission Drive (Hwy. 246) and Copenhagen Drive on First Street, every Wednesday afternoon year-round (962-5354). Gourmet food shops tempt palates throughout the 2.2-square-mile pedestrian-friendly village. Since 1982, the third weekend of March each year celebrates Danish and local foods, wines and live entertainment during the Taste of Solvang. Friday evening kicks off the weekend with a dessert reception & live entertainment. Saturday is the Walking Smorgaasbord with 40 taste stops downtown from 11am-4pm followed by a Saturday evening Wine Tasting Room Walk featuring local vintners.

If you are looking for typical Danish cuisine, I recommend the Bit O’Denmark Restaurant, in a historic 1911 building that has been serving Danish foods including the popular Smorgaasbord since 1960s (full bar, lunch and dinner).

For wine country cuisine, don’t miss Root 246 at the Hotel Corque; River Grill at the Alisal; Cecco Ristorante (Cal-Med); Mirabelle Restaurant and Fresco Valley Café to name just a few of the many of choices for any taste or  budget.

When you come to Solvang, get your picture taken near the giant red clog

Solvang photo opportunities

When you come to Solvang, get your picture taken near the giant red clog at the corner of Copenhagen Drive and First Street in front of the Solvang Shoe Store. Or in front of one of four wooden windmills throughout downtown. Not to be missed photo op! The best vantage points are taken by standing at the corner of Copenhagen Drive and Alisal Road and capturing the large windmill in the background.

In Solvang and the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley, the call of the outdoors is loud and clear here where mild weather and an abundance of sunny days year-round make it easy to get out and have fun. The golden and sage-green hills and Santa Ynez and San Rafael mountain ranges that hug the valley provide inspiring scenery along with outdoor opportunities galore. There’s something here for all ages and interests.

Solvang on wheels

Bicycling (road and mountain) are popular sports — warm sun, quiet roads and challenging climbs. Several 25/50/100-mile amateur cycling rides are held throughout the year and the area proudly hosted the Individual Time Trial stage of the professional cyclists’ Amgen Tour of California in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and many pro bicycling teams train on valley roads and mountain passes. Take a spin on bicycles and four-wheeled surrey cycles from Wheel Fun Rentals. Or hop on a daily guided tour, complete with winery tasting and picnic lunch; a cycling vacation or custom cycling package with Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours. For a different set of wheels, take a 4-wheel thrill-ride at Nojoqui Falls ATV Tours or check out the Skatepark for ‘boarders at Solvang’s Hans Christian Andersen Park.

Solvang’s Danish background and architecture.

Solvang on land

Take a hike; easy, moderate or challenging. Energetic hikers may climb to Gaviota Peak, offering Pacific coastline views, and take a dip in a hot sulfur spring just a short hike from the trailhead. Or picnic  next to a seasonal waterfall—it’s an easy 15-minute hike at Nojoqui Falls County Park. Los Padres National Forest has hundreds of miles of trails that meander through mountains, rivers and streams, and includes the federally designated Dick Smith Wilderness and the San Rafael Wilderness. Spring wildflowers provide splashes of color throughout the valley, especially off Figueroa Mountain Road. Sedgwick Reserve is a 5,896-acre historic ranch that offers seasonal guided hikes and programs as part of the University of California Natural Reserve System. Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, 10 minutes south of Santa Ynez, has easy-to-moderate trails and Saturday weekly hikes led by docents. The lake is a popular spot for overnight stays in campgrounds, tents, yurts and cabins.

Solvang on horseback

Saddle up at Rancho Oso Guest Ranch & Stables for year-round horseback riding, with or without an overnight stay. Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort in Solvang offers their guests private horse-back riding experiences. Vino Vaqueros takes guests on exclusive vineyard horseback rides. The Santa Ynez Valley is known in the equestrian world for its horse ranches, with a focus on quarter horses, thoroughbred and Arabian breeds, as well as respected training, breeding and veterinary facilities.

Solvang on water

Water activities are sure to float your boat, especially at Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, which offers boating and fishing, and now welcomes kayaks and canoes. Guided nature cruises are offered year-round aboard the Osprey, a 49-passenger pontoon boat.

If you’re yearning for salt water and surf, you’ll find it nearby, just 11 miles south of Buellton off US Highway 101 at Gaviota State Beach Park. The oceanfront park is a popular spot for swimming, picnicking, hiking, camping, fishing and scuba diving.

Solvang up in the air

Get a bird’s-eye view of the valley on a glider ride or. Birding throughout the valley takes flight with hundreds of species, including yellow-billed magpie, red-tailed hawk and bald eagles.

Solvang architectural treasures abound including the Little Mermaid bronze sculpture.

Solvang museum lovers

If  you are a museum lover, soak up Solvang’s Danish background at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art featuring historic photos, artifacts, Danish arts, crafts and period pieces. Docents periodically dress in authentic Danish costumes to create living history and exhibits throughout the year. The Hans Christian Andersen Museum honors the Danish father of the modern fairy tale. A bronze statue of Andersen graces Solvang Park. Solvang’s Danish provincial-style architecture reflects its roots. Don’t miss the 1804 Old Mission Santa Ines, a National Historic Landmark District and the Mission Mills State Historic Park (being developed by the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation). Solvang’s Vintage Motorcycle Museum pays homage to two-wheeled wonders. Solvang architectural treasures abound including Bethania Lutheran Church and the Little Mermaid bronze sculpture. A 1/3-size replica of Copenhagen’s famous 17th-century Rundetaarn (Round Tower) is on display behind one of the village’s four large windmills at 436 Alisal Road.  Take a moment to relax on the sladerbænken (gossip bench) located at1518 Mission Drive. Solvang’s world-famous chiming carillon clock tower atop at 486 First Street plays seasonal tunes –and serves as a reminder that there is always plenty of time to relax here.

Enjoy a night out on the town.  Solvang Brewing Company offers live entertainment, karaoke and big screen TV viewing; feeling lucky, check out the nearby Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez.

The Santa Ynez Valley News will keep you posted on what’s happening in Solvang and surrounding areas.

You can tell a lot about Solvang from visiting and watching the annual Danish Days Celebration every September or the Julefest winter festival every December.

In the spring you should attend Taste of Solvang in March.

In the summer you should attend PCPA Theaterfest! 2012 marks the 48th season of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) Theaterfest in Solvang—the only professional resident theater company on the Central California coast where from June-September, nights sparkle with PCPA’s world-class theatrical productions in the 700-seat open-air Solvang Festival Theater—which hosts many other concerts and events year-round such as the Nativity Pageant, Oktoberfest, Halloween Haunted House.

Founded by Danish-Americans in 1911, Solvang means Sunny Fields in Danish and has plenty of old-world charm

Insider Tip: Check out the often over-looked parks in town: Hans Christian Andersen Park on Atterdag Road is a woodsy green space with picnic areas, tennis courts, a playground and Skate Park for boarders; and the whimsical playground and ball field at Sunny Fields Park on Alamo Pintado Road is a family favorite. or take an easy hike to a waterfall at Nojoqui Falls County Park.

Don’t forget wine tasting—with 14 tasting rooms within a 4 block area in downtown Solvang. And of course, Solvang is in the center of Santa Ynez Valley wine country (where the movie Sideways was filmed).   Santa Ynez Valley is one of four distinct American Viticultural Areas (AVA)—also known as wine appellations–in Santa Barbara County’s wine country. The others are Santa Maria Valley, Sta. (Santa) Rita Hills and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara (tucked in the east end of Santa Ynez Valley).  Together, they comprise 23,000+ acres of grape vineyards that annually produce more than a million cases of wine—including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah, but also Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier. The unusual east-west orientation of the area’s coastal mountains creates transverse valleys that funnel cool Pacific Ocean air and fog inland during the late afternoon and evening.

The best way to see Solvang is to STROLL and enjoy the friendly, sunny atmosphere, architecture, shops and attractions!

What are your favorite things to do in Solvang?

For more up-to-date happenings, follow SolvangUSA on Twitter and like their page on Facebook. For all things travel related, follow Travel Expert Nancy D. Brown on Twitter.

Thanks to Laura Kath and Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau for assistance with this post.  Photos, YouTube video and article by  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown.

Related Posts:

Alisal Dude Ranch Horseback Riding Vacation

Things to See and Do in Santa Barbara, CA

Solvang

Life as a freelance travel writer can often be compared to the road to Hana in Hawaii. Sometimes freelance writers are asked to sign contracts similar to rental car agreements in Hawaii. While we are often asked to stay on paved roads, freelance writers tend to venture off the path. As travel writers, we encounter obstacles along our journey and many potholes. Yet for every pothole, one-way bridge and blind curve that life throws our way, there are often waterfalls and rainbows at the end of the road.

I write this re-cap of my 2011 travels to let you know where I have been for the year and to thank you, my readers, for your continued support of my travel writing. What a trip this year has been!

2011 Travel Writer Year in Review – What a Trip

Vikki Garrod and Dianne Admire of Carried Away Tours

January:

I enjoyed a specialty food tour in San Francisco with the ladies of Carried Away on my birthday. We ate and drank our way through the City by the bay. The food theme continued with my annual trip to the San Francisco Fancy Food Show at the Moscone Convention Center.

Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown goes horseback riding on Pebble Beach in Monterey, California.

February: Horseback riding in Pebble Beach, California

April: Have teenager with permit – will travel.  Living in California, we are blessed with good road trip weather nearly year round and endless varieties of road trips. Spring break had my husband and I hitting the road in our Honda Mini van with our freshly minted teenage driver behind the steering wheel. We left the San Francisco Bay area headed for the California Central Coast. Our home base was El Colibri Boutique Hotel and Spa in Cambria with day trips planned to visit Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Along the way I was able to go horseback riding on the beach of Morro Bay and the boys were able to squeeze in a round of golf at Sea Pines Golf Course in Los Osos, California.

Spring visit to Secrets Marquis Los Cabos Casitas, Golf & Spa

Spring Break in California

Continuing the spring break theme, PR Princess of Fun, Megan Sterritt, of KWE Partners invited me to Mexico to experience Secrets Marquis Los Cabos new luxury services. Not only did I enjoy having a personal butler for a couple of days, I was able to go horseback riding in the mountains with Cuadra San Francisco riding stables in San Jose del Cabo.

Like enjoying a fine meal with a lovely glass of wine, I had the opportunity to return to Passport Dry Creek, a fun and friendly wine event held annually in Sonoma county, California, the last weekend in April.

May: San Francisco, my home sweet home. This city by the bay was selected as the host of International Pow Wow 2011, a show stopper of a travel event put on by the U.S. Travel Association. Next year’s International Pow Wow will take place April 21-25,2012 in Los Angeles - get ready to discover LA!

Kelly and Joe Vitorino of Hawaii Paso Finos horseback riding on Hawaii's Big Island

Trip to Big Island for Shape Magazine

Leave it to Jessica Ferracane of Iron Dog Communications to spice up a long weekend with a trip to the Big Island. I was asked to write about United Airlines non-stop service from San Francisco to Hilo, Hawaii that was about to launch in June, 2011. Problem was, the non-stop flight didn’t start until AFTER my trip. How ironic that I had a four hour lay over in Oahu! Note to self; travel writing is not glamorous. Fortunately, I was also hired to write a Perfect Hawaiian Getaway guide to the Big Island for Shape magazine, so my working weekend paid off.

Horseback riding and Thai massage at Canada's Echo Valley Ranch

Horseback Riding in Canada

June:

I was sad to miss TBEX 2011, a travel blogger conference taking place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. However,  as often happens, another opportunity presented itself that I simply couldn’t pass up. I had been to the initial TBEX conference in Chicago in 2009 and attended the 2010 TBEX conference in New York City and knew there would TBEX conferences in my future. Indeed, I have already purchased my 2012 TBEX conference ticket and will be traveling to Keystone, Colorado. So what took me away from Vancouver? An opportunity to go horseback riding at not one, but two unique guest ranches in British Columbia’s Cariboo Country.

I had met Flint Bondurant at the 2010 Canada Media Marketplace held in San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel.  At the time, the personable Canadian was representing Echo Valley Ranch & Spa. Currently, Bondurant is the general manager for Big Bar Guest Ranch. “Wouldn’t you rather go horseback riding than attend a travel writing conference in Vancouver,” Bondurant offers with a smile. As is typical of me, I will always select horseback riding over conferences.

Colorful Curacao at the Floating Market in downtown Willemstad

July:

Horseback riding in Yellowstone National Park was certainly on my travel bucket list. I was fortunate to go riding in Yellowstone with the wranglers of the Club at Spanish Peaks in Big Sky, Montana this summer.  You remember the movie “A River Runs Through It” starring a young, sexy Brad Pitt? Well, the scenes from the movie were filmed in Big Sky on the Gallatin River. Unfortunately for me, the river was running too high for fly fishing during my trip, but the food, people and natural beauty of Big Sky country made me want to come back for more.  I can see why outdoor enthusiasts would select Big Sky as their base camp for recreation adventures. Don’t tell my husband, but I think I have a crush on Montana!

After my return to San Francisco, I was asked to visit the Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao.  While I learned my A,B,C’s in elementary school, I didn’t know that the ABC Islands were also known as Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. Sasha Hlozek was a wonderful host and showed us downtown Willemstad and took us on a boat ride along Spanish Water Bay.

August:

It wouldn’t be summer vacation without a road trip to Central Oregon. LinkedIn and Facebook followers know me as a University of Oregon Journalism School graduate. Growing up in California, my parents owned a rental property in Sunriver, Oregon. I went there as a teenager and now return each year to Sunriver Resort with my husband and our children.  We have enjoyed introducing other Bay Area families to Central Oregon’s outdoor wonderland.

Virgin de Guadalupe Cathedral is the soul of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Plenty to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

This August was my first time to visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I’m hearing a lot of  gloom and doom surrounding travel to Mexico, and while I understand that travelers want to feel safe on their vacations, I think all-inclusive resort stays in the area are very safe. Of course, if you wander anywhere downtown at night, with the wrong crowd, you are bound to find trouble. That being said, I felt completely safe during my stay at the gated Casa Velas, an adult-only, all-inclusive resort located in the exclusive marina district of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. While you can’t go wrong lounging by the pool or the Casa Velas Spa, there are plenty of things to see and do in Puerto Vallarta.

September:

One of the highlights of my 2011 travel season was a visit to King Pacific Lodge in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rain Forest. It took three plane rides to arrive at the uninhabited Princess Royal Island, but a stay on the luxury barge known as King Pacific Lodge was well worth the flight time.  My stay involved eagles, whales, seals, salmon and lots of gourmet food, but the absolute highlight of the trip was seeing the Kermode “Spirit Bear” and all white, black bear.

Historic Hotels of America at San Francisco’s Palace Hotel was a wonderful evening, both entertaining and educational.  Watch the Historic Hotels of America YouTube video and learn something new about the Queen Mary.

October:

Maui, Hawaii launched its first social media blogger press trip in October, 2011 and I was selected to participate, along with EarthXplorer JD Andrews, The Bald Hiker Paul Steele, The Ohana Mama Sarah Burns, Bekah Wright from Life on a Silver Platter and Rick Andreoli, along with Steve Thompson.  We stayed at the gorgeous Fairmont Kea Lani as a group and then, as bloggers are known to do, we went our separate ways to discover non-stop Maui. I landed at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa and was treated to a heavenly experience, including a visit to the Heavenly Spa, as well as an evening at the  Wailele Polynesian Luau – what a trip!

Triple Creek Ranch Wranglers look out over Darby, Montana

November:

Talk about your girlfriend getaway. Triple Creek Ranch trumps all when it comes to luxury gal pal weekends. After my brief love affair with Big Sky, Montana in July,  thanks to the friendly folks at Club at Spanish Peaks and Tory Weiss, I was still floating on clouds when Triple Creek Ranch stepped in to invite me to Western Montana.  The second annual Klicks for Chicks 100 kilometer endurance horseback ride in Darby, Montana was taking place in early November and would I like to participate. Quick as a rootin’ tootin’ cowgirl, I was signed up for this deluxe horseback riding vacation.

December

Thanks to the travel industry blog Travelllll.com, I was one of a dozen travel bloggers selected to fly to Seattle, Washington to meet with fellow bloggers and spend the day hanging out and learning from the travel industry folks at Expedia.com.

Wrapping up 2011 with plenty of gratitude for a wonderful life full of travel, family, friends and the opportunity to give back in my annual participation with Passports with Purpose.

What are you grateful for this year? Have you traveled somewhere special or made plans for travel in 2012.  I’d love to hear what’s in store for you in 2012.

Related Post:

Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown’s 2010 Year in Review

Sleep is an essential part of travel

Why Science Says Sleep Is Essential

Sleep. It is something that we all have in common and need in our lives. Like food and water, sleep is an essential element  in the 24 hour daily life cycle of a human being. Without proper sleep we become cranky, inattentive, lethargic and may even become disoriented. Sleep is a time for our bodies to rest and our brains to recharge.

UC Berkeley research suggests that sleep remodels our brains to enhance memory and balances our brain circuitry to promote happiness.  Several Berkeley faculty on the frontiers of sleep science shared the latest on the hows and whys of getting proper rest.

Our focus is the ever fascinating topic of SLEEP. Humans spend one-third of their lives sleeping. Yet there are still so many puzzles that remain to be solved about why humans sleep. It is a very exciting time to be studying sleep because it is a relatively young science; much has been learned but much remains to be discovered

How to adjust to new sleep patterns during travel

“Our bodies are incredibly rhythmic,” says Allison Harvey, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director, Golden Bear Sleep and Mood Research Clinic. “In order to maintain harmony within our bodies, it is important to go to bed and wake up at the same time,” notes Harvey.  When asked how to avoid jet lag during travel,  Harvey recommends not  going into the trip sleep deprived. She also said that creating dim light conditions help to provide a suitable sleep environment.

Allison Harvey’s research focuses on developing new treatments for sleep problems related to chronic insomnia, mood and anxiety disorders, and adolescence. Harvey has published more than 130 research articles and two books. Her research is funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health.

Matt Walker, Associate Professor and Director, Sleep and Neuroimaging Laboratory

Matt Walker, a National Academy of Sciences Kavli Fellow, uses a number of neuroimaging techniques to understand the role of sleep in human brain function. Walker received a National Science Foundation fellowship in 2002 and has won numerous National Institutes of Health awards for his work. Walker noted that, “while you may think you perform well with only a few hours of sleep, studies show that humans with less sleep performed poorly in testing environments.”

Do you have trouble sleeping? What coping mechanisms do you employ to assure you receive adequate sleep during your travels?

To learn more about UC Berkeley topics of interest, visit the UC Berkeley NewsCenter. I was a guest of Discover Cal, part of the University of California, Berkeley lecture series.

Related Posts:

Things to See and Do in Berkeley, California

NAP26 Sleep APP