Solvang is danish for "sunny field." Dubbed, "More Danish than Denmark" this European enclave has a history that originates with Danes. With the dream and ambition to create a danish settlement on the west coast, three settlers purchased land and developed a folk school, Lutheran church, a general store and a college at the beginning of the 20th century. The village soon quickly grew as newspaper advertisements went out across the country to attract Danes: many came and settled the area from the Midwest and as far away as Denmark. The town exploded with the addition of a hotel, a creamery, a bakery, a bank, and a butcher shop. Danes began farming the local area and the village of Solvang was here to stay.
Solvang's allure caught the attention of the Danish Royal Family, whose members have visited Solvang on three occasions (and very recently the Danish Ambassador to the United States for the city's centennial in 2011). Often with the fascination of royalty, this in turn caught the public's attention and Solvang quickly became a tourist destination. The academy award winning film Sideways also used Solvang as it's backdrop.
Solvang's allure caught the attention of the Danish Royal Family, whose members have visited Solvang on three occasions (and very recently the Danish Ambassador to the United States for the city's centennial in 2011). Often with the fascination of royalty, this in turn caught the public's attention and Solvang quickly became a tourist destination. The academy award winning film Sideways also used Solvang as it's backdrop.
Solvang has four large, enchanting Danish windmills built in the mid 1940's; each of which lends it's own unique charm to the village. During large festivals, it is common to see them turning but otherwise throughout the year they remain inert.
Despite being surrounded by golden hued mountains or rich, plush Palm trees - sometimes on the very streets of Solvang - it is easy to feel as if one weren't in the United States at all but rather in Denmark with a little bit of childhood fantastical reminiscence. The only problem with fantastical reminiscence is that all of the buildings in Solvang are original and real! Largely built in the Danish Provincial style after World War II by Ferdinand Sorensen, a Nebraskan (who fell in love with Denmark after a trip there), the city achieved its goal of becoming an authentic Danish Village, something much wanted by locals for some time. Sorensen also designed and built the four windmills, which greatly add to the affection felt for the village by both locals and tourists alike. A short while thereafter in the '50's, a local architect, Earl Petersen, adapted other structures in a similar style.
In Denmark, Storks are considered a symbol of good luck and provider of protection for the house under which they perch. For the Danes, the Stork is very much regarded with much of the same reverence that Americans feel for the Bald Eagle. The only problem is....the White Stork of Denmark is extinct in the wild.
In Solvang, the love and affection for the White Stork is visible on the rooftops, where replicas abound.
In Solvang, the love and affection for the White Stork is visible on the rooftops, where replicas abound.
Hans Christian Anderson's Little Mermaid greets everyone at the village entrance. It is a replica of Edvard Erikson's sculpture of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, Denmark. Not to miss nearby is also the Hans Christian Andersen Museum.
The streets are very easy to navigate and are always filled with people! However, should one want to repose after a few tasting rooms, Rita and Claire can pull you around town on the Honen guided trolley tour ("The Hen" for historical significance).
A visit in October will allow a cornucopia of interesting displays and even more interesting people! Each year the city of Solvang puts on a fun contest with the merchants for who can have the most outrageous Halloween / Day of the Dead displays. The community embraces this and fully throws themselves into the festive spirit!
If a visit occurs during non-festive moments, one is more than likely to discover an equal amount of interesting experiences and wares. From art galleries, antique shops, jewelery boutiques, clothing stores and art glass to Æbleskiver, Chocolatier shops, and wine tasting rooms...there is plenty to do and see while meandering the streets. Of particular note for fine delectables: Ingeborg's Chocolates, Solvang Restaurant's Æbleskiver, Paula's Pancake House for fantastic Danish pancakes and Danish sausage and Mortensen's Danish Bakery.
Old Mission Santa Inés
The Mision sits elevated over a valley of vineyards with vistas of mountains and the surrounding areas. The stages of the cross allow guests to walk the various areas of the grounds with splendid views.
To arrive at the interior courtyard, one must traverse the interior museum which is filled with very interesting stories of history, life at the mission and artifacts ranging from various garments worn to the actual tiles from various periods of the roof.
The courtyard is filled with lush manicured gardens, water flowing fountains and and an abundance of verdant palm trees. A sense of calm consumes the soul and one finds themselves with such a sense of peace that lingering throughout the courtyard gardens for the entire day would not be out of the question.
The structure of the mission is classic adobe, much of which is still original. As it is still an operational mission, monks can often be seen wondering the hallways.
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