Danish culture meets California sunshine in this Santa Ynez Valley town.
Founded in the early 20th century as a Danish colony for Midwesterners in search of warmer climes, Solvang celebrates the roots of its first settlers with traditional Scandinavian architecture and local restaurants dishing up Nordic cuisine. This quirky spot is situated in the Santa Ynez Valley, making it a good base for exploring some of the region's most lauded wineries, and it's within easy day-tripping distance of both the Central California Coast and Los Padres National Forest. Most camping options and RV parks in the immediate vicinity are privately owned and include intimate Hipcamps on farms and wineries.
A stay in Solvang puts you within easy reach of Santa Barbara County's most interesting towns and outdoor attractions, from the sleek city of Santa Barbara to the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. Spend a day wine tasting in Los Olivos or zip over to Buellton, where you'll find everything from a 200-year-old mission to a museum dedicated to gas station ephemera.
The next county up the coast from Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County offers loads of sandy beaches, golf courses, and cute towns. It's also home to Hearst Castle, an ornate mansion that now houses a museum. If you like wine, head inland to Paso Robles, where you’ll find wineries along with hot springs and an 18th-century mission.
This massive expanse of national forest is a great place for camping, climbing, horseback riding, and exploring many miles of hiking trails. It’s also popular for wildlife watching and backcountry camping, as much of the forest is protected wilderness.
As a popular tourist destination, Solvang is at its busiest during the summer, making late spring and fall ideal for warm weather with fewer crowds. The holidays are another busy time of year, when the annual Julefest takes place. Festivities start on Thanksgiving weekend and run until Epiphany, with highlights including a Christmas market, holiday lights, live music, and a parade, all culminating with a tree burn.