Solvang: Your Shortest Road to Total Relaxation – Discover The Hidden Gems Of Little Denmark With Amanda Benson

 From the quaint Scandinavian architecture and open skyline to the modern upscale accommodations and cultural offerings, the serenity of Solvang is sure to captivate and renew you.  In just 2.2 square miles, California’s only “Little Denmark” delivers award-winning wines, farm-to-table cuisine, family friendly attractions and convenient luxuries, for your most relaxing weekend getaway.
Nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara County’s wine country, with the Santa Ynez Mountains as its backdrop, Solvang is a quick and scenic two-hour drive from Santa Clarita.  Whether you have the kids in tow or you’ve planned a couple’s stay, the beauty and versatility of this historic Danish village make for an easy vacation or day trip.
“As soon as you drive in, the pace of life slows down, and I felt instantly at ease,” said élite Magazine Associate Publisher Amanda Benson, who toured Solvang during a weekend March.  “I couldn’t wait to soak up the local atmosphere.”
Even upon entering, you’ll feel Solvang’s harmonious blend of family friendly attractions and elegant adult amenities.  Before you check in, give the kids a break from the car by visiting OstrichLand USA.  A perfect pit stop, this animal sanctuary is the first thing you’ll see as you exit the freeway.  For a reasonable $3-$6, visitors can feed the birds and watch them roam among the open spaces at this quirky Solvang must-see.
Once you enter the city proper, pause to take in the charm of Danish design, then refuel by enjoying a healthy approach to comfort cuisine at The Succulent Café.  Centrally located on Mission Drive, this locally recommended eatery serves up hand-selected charcuterie plates, regional wines and beer on tap, as well as seasonally, locally sourced ingredients, whenever possible – they even have a menu for your precious pup!  With a choice of peaceful indoor or outdoor seating, Amanda recommends grabbing a bite while planning your weekend itinerary.  Pair an artichoke and feta crostini appetizer with a glass of local sauvignon blanc, and you’re off to a perfect start!
Next, get situated by checking in with your accommodations.  For an elegant stay that feels like home, we recommend the Landsby Inn.  The newest and most innovative hotel in Solvang, the Landsby is under new ownership and management from the former Petersen Village Inn.  This stunningly quaint 41-room boutique hotel offers warm hospitality and refined, in-trend decor true to modern Scandinavian design.  Blonde woods, brushed brass accents and elegant yet comfortable handcrafted furnishings grace each space throughout the hotel, inviting guests to unwind.  A collection by local artist Rachel Brown adds calm yet interesting focal points to a cohesive overall aesthetic.  The elevated Tower Suite, a standout choice, features a sitting room with a fireplace and wet bar, as well as an interior balcony that overlooks a spacious, two-person jetted tub.
“As soon as I walked into the Landsby Inn, I felt at home,” Amanda said.  “It’s light, soft, warm and welcoming.  The attention to detail is apparent in every room and service – from the delicate parcel of lavender on your pillow to the silky L’Occitane bath amenities.”
Their care for the finer elements extends to the locally acclaimed Mad & Vin, Danish for “food and wine,” as well.  Overlooking a garden courtyard, this on-site restaurant serves up California Central Coast cuisine, a stellar wine selection and one of the few full bars in the area.  With a festive happy hour and a complimentary continental breakfast, Mad & Vin is ideal for any time of the day.  For breakfast, Amanda recommends the Roasted Vegetable Skillet, served farm-to-table style in a cast iron skillet.

Rested from a lazy morning, hit the boutique shops, galleries and museums in town.  Tour in a surrey bike or stroll on foot through the Historic Danish Village.  Amanda recommends the Wilding Museum of Art and Nature – a small, diverse and growing gallery that employs natural art as a tool to educate and inspire visitors to conserve wilderness areas.  Current exhibits include photography, prints, poetry and history.
After you’ve had your fill of fun in town, the happy hour at Mad & Vin is absolutely worth a sip or two.  From 4-6:30 p.m., guests and locals alike come to savor the refined bar bites and handcrafted signature shrubs.  A mix of vinegar syrup and spirits, the shrubs menu is fresh off the cart from the local farmers market – and to die for.  Amanda recommends the Pale Shelter: gin, Lillet Blanc, grapefruit shrub, ginger beer and lemon zest.
“I followed that up with a taste of The Last Word,” Amanda laughed, “a gin and liquor signature cocktail.”
For dinner, the Flat Iron Steak served with cheese-stuffed piquillo peppers and duck fat fries is a crowd favorite, paired nicely with a glass from Lucas & Lewellen’s exclusive Landsby Reserve Collection.  Wrapping up the evening, Sevtap Tasting Room on Copenhagen Drive is always a party.  From the wall-to-wall chalk décor to the rockin’ live music, this artsy evening venue serves award-winning wines and attracts good company.
“I walked in and it felt like family,” Amanda said.  “I bet I talked to everyone in that bar – that’s how intimate yet sociable it was.  And the whole trip felt that way.  Solvang is the perfect, quaint escape, with all the luxury of metropolitan travel.”
For more information about the venues in this story, please visit ostrichlandusa.com, succulentcafe.com, thelandsby.com or sevtapwinery.com.

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