Solvang

In my many trips to and from San Luis Obispo, the highway billboard on the 101 with a windmill on it pointing to Solvang had always piqued my curiosity. Other people had described the town to me, but I decided I had to see it for myself.

From SLO, it's approximately an hour drive. It's simply a matter of heading south until to the 246 (Buellton) exit, then heading east for a few more miles. An unexpected surprise is that not even a mile off the freeway, the 246 becomes enveloped by giant cedar trees.

This tunnel of trees continues for approximately one mile, and for the most part completely shades the whole highway. After the trees break, the highway makes a gentle curve and the 246 becomes known as Mission Dr as you approach Solvang proper.

There is no mistaking Solvang for any other place as its architecture and style is completely its own. Founded by Danish settlers in the early 1900's, the town has an appearance of traditional Danish/Scandinavian style with sharply pointed roof-lines, wood-shingles (or faux-thatching), and wood accents. Fake windmills are a regular occurrence, as are Danish flags.

The uniformity in style continues through the whole downtown area as well as in some of the nearby residential communities. Even the local US Post Office doesn't seem out of character.

There is an obvious amount of pride in heritage. Streets have names reminiscent of Denmark, such as Copenhagen and Atterdag. Hamlet and Hans Christian Andersen themes are also frequently encountered.

Mural of the founding of Solvang. Text at the top reads
"In the year 1911
three Danish educators,
the Reverend J. Gregerson
the Reverend B. Nordentoft
and Mr P.B. Hornsyld,
founded a farming community of
Danish-Americans to preserve and continue
the customs and culture of Denmark.
They chose a sunny field in the
Santa Ynez valley of California
and named it
Solvang."

There seemed to be a Danish bakery on each block, selling pastries, fudge, and butter cookies. I stopped in at one called Mortensen's and had (of course) a danish with coffee. It could have been store-bought danish for all I know, but I was sold on the whole experience nonetheless.

Like San Luis, Solvang is also home to a Spanish mission. Known as Mission Santa Ines, it overlooks the Santa Ynez Valley, and you can get an idea of the power the Spanish intended to project by the location of the mission.

Remnants of one of the original columns of the colonnade (most have been reconstructed)

The colonnade looking north

The Santa Ynez Valley. This picture is a bit deceiving as the elevation drops significantly at the edge of the parking lot.

The dueling Spanish and Danish histories of the area provide a great deal to explore for a day trip. There's also a casino a few more miles east on the 246 as it becomes part of the Chumash Reservation.

Fun fact: This is also the area that the movie Sideways was set in and filmed in. The characters stayed at the Buellton Inn (located at the freeway exit you take to arrive in Solvang) and visited wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley.