"Solvang, California" Solvang by Pamela_Peace

Solvang Travel Guide: 267 reviews and 672 photos

Solvang is an old-world Danish village secluded in the Santa Ynez Mountains, not far from the towns of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Oxnard. It has long been famous as the Danish Capital of America, but today boasts of ethnic diversity. The name Solvang comes from the Danish word meaning "sunny fields." The town was founded in 1911 on 9,000 acres of former Spanish land grant. It was here that a group of Danes, refugees from America's midwest, decided to establish their community. Although deluged by rain the first year, the settlement eventually prospered. A folk school was constructed to teach the children basics of education along with a love of Dutch culture - there were no exams, no degrees, simply a striving for excellence with oneself. Though the school today is gone, the spirit lives on amidst this charming little town nestled in a California valley.

Intro Updated Mar 30, 2008
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Reviews (10)

Mission Santa Ines was... Favorites (10)

Mission Santa Ines was established in 1804 as a center of education for the Chumash Indians population and was also the... more travel advice

Another fun way to get around... Favorites (10)

Another fun way to get around Solvang is to rent these bicycle buggies. Work off a few calories so you can go back for... more travel advice

Honen is Dutch for 'hen'. ... Favorites (10)

Honen is Dutch for 'hen'. This is a replica of a 1915 streetcar that is pulled about town by a gorgeous pair of Belgian... more travel advice

Mortensen's Danish Bakery -... - Solvang

Mortensen's Danish Bakery -... Favorites (10)

Mortensen's Danish Bakery - what could be better than savouring some scrumptious pasteries or maybe some pure chocolate... more travel advice

Comments (14)

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eelaine Aug 11, 2003 at 8:07 PM

solvang is a lovely place.. i'll surely go back one day.. :)
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dsantosh Jun 4, 2003 at 6:32 AM

Excellant pages..Superb & fantastic phtographs..neat narration..pages filled with relevant and useful information to a traveller..excellant trips..Superb work...
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MURRA Feb 12, 2003 at 12:24 PM

INTERESTING PLACE
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blaird Feb 4, 2003 at 9:49 AM

I'll be here in a week or so!
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acemj Oct 8, 2001 at 2:52 PM

Wow, looks nothing like California!
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bugalugs Jul 17, 2001 at 2:13 PM

what a charming place this seems
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patrikske Jul 12, 2001 at 9:20 AM

Love this place...wonderful !
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kschatterbox Jul 3, 2001 at 12:32 PM

looks like an awesome place to visit
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mohammed7026 May 23, 2001 at 3:18 PM

Excellent Page
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JRW May 23, 2001 at 3:09 PM

I love this place. Isn`t the chocolate great?