Solvang California Resort Life

Santa Barbara Vacation Home Rentals
Stay luxurious vacation homes, some located right on the beach. Many feature a peace of history. Non-Smoking and fully equipped with appliances. Nightly and weekly rates are both available.

Solvang (pop 4,700) is located 45 miles northwest of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Traditional style Danish architecture is very abundant here and turns Solvang into a Little Denmark. Enjoy windmills, gaslamps, cobblestone walks. There are over 300 shops that sell Danish goods, arts, crafts, home furnishings and genuine Dutch bakeries. Over

Danes founded Solvang in 1911 on an earlier Spanish land claim. The founding fathers of the town were first generation Danish immigrant farmers from mid-western states who moved on to milder climate. They intended to create in Solvang a community in which they could preserve their Danish culture and language as well as pass it on to coming generations. Hence, they established their everyday life around institutions, which they understood as being affiliated with something Danish: a Lutheran congregation, a village hall, and a folk-high-school. Solvang, although appearing externally as any other contemporary small community in that part of the US, was thus Danish because of the town dwellers convictions and daily practices.

This Danish heritage is also richly reflected in the local architecture - an abundance of windmills, blue-green copper roofs, wood beams sitting on inlaid brick walls.

In Solvang you can find:

• Ride a replica of a horsedrawn 1915 Danish streetcar
• Sample Danish fare at many restaurants and bakeries
• Stay overnight at rustic Danish innhouses
• Savor many Old World arts and crafts

! SAVE 60% on Restaurant gift certificates!
Online Super Saver Special!
Local participating restaurants feature $25 gift certificates for only $10.

Viator - Guided VIP Tours for The Santa Barbara
Guided VIP Tours to area theme parks, wilderness adventures, dinner cruises, nightclubs, aviation and many other exciting adventures.

Solvang Peterson Village Inn 1576 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA 93463; Come stay at the award winning Petersen Village Inn located in the heart of the Santa Barbara County Wine country. Enjoy the quiet ambience of Solvang in an air of casual elegance. The inns Cafe Provence, exclusive to hotel guests, features European and Mediterannean entrees. Award winning Executive Chef Mini Dal-Fuoco is considered one of the finest chef's in the region. Dinners at Cafe Provence are the most talked about experience at the Inn.

Santa Barbara Encina Lodge Best Western Resort Hotel 2220 Bath Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105; Location: West of downtown near City College Stay at this American Riviera resort hotel and enjoy a host of convenient amenities while traveling. The Santa Barbara Encina Lodge Hotel is conveniently located with easy access to historic and lovely downtown Santa Barbara and a host of world-class golf courses. Acclaimed for its peaceful atmosphere, the hotel is within walking distance of the Queen of the Missions and adjacent to the Sansum Clinic and Cottage Hospital.

Santa Barbara Fess Parker Doubletree 633 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara, CA 93103; An exceptional, luxury beach resort facing the Pacific Ocean near downtown Santa Barbara. This full service, 24-acre Spanish Colonial style hotel has something special for everyone - from tennis courts and basketball to shuffleboard and a putting green. Light and bright guestrooms, suites and executive accommodations feature serene mountain, garden or ocean views from terrace or balcony. High-speed wireless internet access is available throughout the hotel. We're pet-friendly and family-friendly, with a wide variety of seasonal children's programs, a playground and babysitting service.

Elverhoj Danish Museum of History and Art - 686-1211
1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang, CA; (805) 686-1211;
Open: Wed-Sun 1-4PM; Free Admission
Dedicated to Solvang's history and Dutch heritage.

Solvang Festival Theater
Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts
Allan Bancock College, Solvang; (800) PCPA-123; Theater Website;
Summer Theater Under the Stars.

Chumash Casino Resort
3400 E Highway SR-246; Santa Ynez, CA 93460; 1-877-CHUMASH; Casino Website;
Open: 10AM-2AM Mon-Thur / 24 hours Fri-Sat.
Located on SR-246 about 3 miles east of Solvang in Santa Ynez.

• High-stakes Indian gaming and Las Vegas-style video gaming.
• 1300 seat bingo entertainment center.

  Mission Santa Ines
  1760 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA; 93464; (805) 688-4815. Mission Website;
  Open: Daily 9AM-5:30PM;
  This old mission church provides a sharp contrast to the rest of Solvang. Founded in 1804 by Spanish missionaries, it owned 12,000 head of cattle in 1820 at the peak of its prosperity. It was damaged both in an 1812 earthquake and 1824 Chumash Indian revolt. Much restoration work in the 20th century restored the original beauty of the mission. It still maintains an active congregation today. Museum exhibits collection of vestments, church records and religious texts.

  Bethania Lutheran Church
  An active parish, look for the scale model of a Danish sailing ship suspended from the ceiling.

  Flag Is Up Farms
  901 East Highway 246, Solvang, CA; Farm Website;
  Open Daily : 9AM-5PM; Free Admission;
  Headquarters of the original "Horse Whisperer", Monty Roberts. Ranch is open to the public daily and has gift shop for horse lovers. Flag Is Up Farms is a stunning training and breeding farm specializing in thoroughbred preconditioning for the racetrack. The 110-acre farm includes lush, green manicured lawns and pastures, beautiful stables and barns, and a 24,000 sq.ft. covered arena. The ranch house has been featured in Town and Country Magazine twice as one of the most beautiful homes on the West Coast.

  Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum
  320 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA; (805) 686-9522; Museum Website;
  The private motorcycle collection of Virgil Elings has a strong emphasis on racing cycles.

  Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum
  3596 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez, CA; (805) 688-7889;
  The museum displays local native American artifacts including tools and baskets.

  Wilding Art Museum
  2329 Jonata St, Los Olivos, CA; (805) 688-1082; Museum Website;
  This national museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting American wilderness artworks.

Solvang Holiday Inn Express 1455 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA 93463; The preferred destination of travelers visiting the Santa Ynez Valley. Located inside the Danish Town of Solvang best known for its shopping, restaurants, chocolate factories and wine tasting rooms. The Holiday Inn Express Solvang is within minutes to Vandenberg Air Force Base, renowned Wineries such as Firestone, Gainey, Buttonwood and Rusack.

Santa Barbara Coast Village Inn 1188 Coast Village Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108; Location: Eastern end of City Beach This vacation inn offers 28 guestroom suites, each one is carefully appointed. All rooms are non-smoking; some rooms have partial ocean views overlooking the village, and some have full kitchens or wet bars. Amenities include a heated pool, cable television with free HBO, and a complimentary continental breakfast at Peabody's, the on-site restaurant and bar. There are countless opportunities for sight-seeing and recreation.

Pismo Beach Shore Cliff Lodge Best Western Resort Hotel 2555 Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA 93449; Location: Just off US-101, Cabrillo Highway - South of town Travelers are pampered with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean at this California Beach Hotel and receive warm, friendly service. The Best Western Shore Cliff Lodge is found along California's Santa Barbara in Pismo Beach overlooking the beautiful oceanfront cliffs of the Pacific Ocean. Each guestroom at the Best Western Shore Cliff Lodge is nicely decorated and has a balcony overlooking the ocean.

Solvang Royal Scandinavian Inn 400 Alisal Road, Solvang, CA 93464; Enjoy the charm of cozy accomodations with all the luxuries of an elegant, full service hotel. Whether you are in the area to visit, shop or recreate, the Royal Scandinavian Inn will meet and exceed any expectation. The Inn offers meeting and banquet facilities as well as group event arrangements. Meadows Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the Bar has live entertainment and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights.

! SAVE 60% on Solvang Restaurant gift certificates!
Online Super Saver Special!
Local participating restaurants feature $25 gift certificates for only $10.

! Entertainment Book
Get Hundreds of shopping, dining and entertainment attraction coupons for the Lake Tahoe area.

Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts
420 2nd St, Solvang / 800 S. College Dr, Santa Maria; (805) 922-8313;
Regional theater affiliated with the Allan Hancock College performing popular Broadway Musical Comedies.

Solvang Hadsten House Inn & Spa 1450 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA 93463; Indulge in Distinctive European Style where the luxury custom mattresses highlight our uniquely appointed guest rooms featuring classic French furnishings- fireplaces and lavish amenities. Rejuvenate by selecting one of our spa suites or relax in Solvangs only heated indoor pool. Be pampered in our day-spa and savor our local wine tasting and hors d*oeuvres reception. Hadsten House Inn and Spa offers the highest quality accommodations in Solvang- CA.

Central California Sporting Events
Calendar and Ticket Exchange
Padres, Chargers, NCAA, PGA and much more.

New Chargers Sweatshirt Available Here
Get the new team sweatshirt and other cool souvenirs now while supplies still last.

Share Your Travel Adventure Photos with Friends and Family
Use SnapFish - The easy online photo sharing service - create your own postcards.

Nojoqui Falls County Park
Located 6.5 miles southwest of Solvang on Alisal Rd. Includes a 164 foot waterfall, playgrounds and hiking trails. Free Admission.

Hans Christian Andersen Park
Picnic area and playgrounds.

River Course at the Alisal
150 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA; (805) 688-6042; Course Website;
18 holes, 6,800 yards with grest vistas of the Santa Ynez Valley.
River Grill - Fine dining.

Lake Cachuma
Located 15 miles southeast of Solvang on SR-154. This refuge is home to fish, deer, bobcats and over 275 species of birds including migratory bald eagles.

Tour of California Bicycle Race
3rd Week of February - Statewide 8 stage race
This 9-day rolling festival is becoming one of California's largest sporting events. It is an international world-class cycling road race featuring over 100 elite athletes and teams from around the world competing for the highest prize purse in the world. This annual event was first launch in 2006 and expanded in 2009. The race course now showcases 800 miles of scenic California highways.

Solvang Kronborg Inn 1440 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA 93464; A European style boutique hotel located at the entrance of Solvang, California. Offering 39 oversized rooms, each with balcony or patio, free internet access, in-room coffee, hbo, refrigerator and serving complimentary continental breakfast. Find relaxation in our pool and spa. We are only four blocks from the quaint Danish village shops and restaurants. Our location in the midst of the Santa ynez wine country gives access to numerous wineries and tasting rooms throughout the valley.

Solvang Wine Valley Inn 1564 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang, CA 93464; Solvang Wine Valley Inn is a traditionally vintage Innhouse with uniquely private cottages surrounding a beautiful lush landscaping including walk over bridges and a Koi Pond. All cottages have fireplaces and fully equipped kitchenettes. Most have private Jacuzzis in a private deck yard. Each cottage varies from accommodating from 4 - 6 persons. Other accommodations include Chateau loft suit with a loft bedroom upstairs and full living room downstairs, each accommodating 4 persons. The entire property is appointed with period antiques furniture, each uniquely decorated to display the charm and elegance of old world Europe.