Exploring Solvang: Wineries, Bakeries and Museums

Old Mission Santa Ines is a beautifully restored Catholic Mission established in 1804 and one of the top Solvang attractions. Through its 210-year long history, the mission suffered natural disasters, financial hardships, political turmoil, social upheaval, a rebellion, decay and neglect before undergoing several bouts of restoration and repair and becoming one of the real gems of California Missions.

The mission was originally established to integrate the Chumash People of the Santa Ynez valley into the way of life of Spain. Today, Old Mission Santa Inés is the guardian of a rare collection of art - paintings, vestments, statuary, artifacts, and manuscripts. The mission has an active parish, and you can come for a mass in English or Spanish or you can join a docent-led tour of the mission treasures.

1760 Mission Dr, Solvang, California, Phone: 805-688-4815

The Solvang Festival Theater is a community-based theater dedicated to promoting and supporting quality live performing arts and entertainment. Built in 1974, the theater’s first performance was ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ and has been providing the community with outstanding theater shows, concerts and performances ever since.

The theater has also been used for a variety of fundraising concerts, including jazz and comedy festivals, featuring famous artists like Crosby and Nash, Bonnie Raitt, Jim Messina and Tommy Castro. If you are looking for unique things to do in Solvang with kids, family-friendly events at the theater include ‘Family Night at the Theater’ and the famous ‘Sunday Jazz in the Garden’ series. The beautiful theater has a range of modern facilities, including an outdoor 700-seat amphitheater, backstage dressing rooms, restrooms, and staging area and can be rented for private events.

420 2nd Street, Solvang, California, Phone: 805-686-1789

The Elverhoj Museum of History and Art is dedicated to collecting, preserving and exhibiting Solvang’s rich history and Danish culture of arts and crafts, and is one of the best things to do in Solvang, California.

Housed in the former residence of one of Solvang’s most artistic families, the historic hand-crafted structure was built by Viggo Brandt-Erichsen. The Elverhøj Museum is a community-based museum that presents the colorful heritage of Denmark, the Danish-American pioneer spirit and the Danish devotion to the arts.

The building is a work of art in itself with elements of Scandinavian architecture, ornamental wrought ironwork and hand-painted panels and wood carvings.

The museum hosts a variety of exhibitions throughout the year, as well as education-based classes, arts and crafts workshops and Danish-influenced events for children of all ages.

1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang, California, Phone: 805-686-1211

The Wildling Museum of Art & Nature was founded in 1997 by Artist and conservation advocate Patti Jacquemain with the aim of inspiring the community and visitors to value, conserve and enjoy wildlife and nature through art.

Using art as a tool to educate and inspire people to better understand and care for nature’s dwindling natural and wilderness areas, the Museum has hosted more than 40 highly successful art exhibitions, education programs, trips and tours and continues to do so today.

The Wildling Museum’s collection is small and diverse and features works by nature photographers such as Jeff Jones, Ines Roberts, Richard Salas and Roger Craton, as well as oil paintings by celebrated painter John Fery.

Other artists featured in the museum include Lockwood de Forest, Russell Chatham, Everett Ruess and Ray Strong.

1511-B Mission Drive, Solvang, California, Phone: 805-688-1082

The Hans Christian Andersen Museum is dedicated to the understanding and enjoyment of the famous author Hans Christian Andersen and his world-renowned works.

Located on the upper level of the Book Loft Building, the Museum features an array of exhibits that document Andersen's life and work.

Exhibits explore the unrequited love he had for "the Swedish Nightingale" known as Jenny Lind, showcase models of his childhood home and characters from his books like "The Princess and the Pea" and display first and early editions of his stories.

Visitors to the museum can enjoy a variety of activities, including guided tours, mini-lectures and Hans Anderson parties and festivals.

1680 Mission Dr, Solvang, California, Phone: 805-688-2052

Nestled among the oak-dotted rolling hills of Ballard Canyon, Rusack Vineyards is a boutique winery and vineyard that produces world-class wines.

Owned by Geoff and Alison Rusack and managed by winemaker Steven Gerbac, Rusack Vineyards, whose label is a Catalina tile symbolizing ‘the beauty of what arises from blending craft, earth, art and family’ boasts a beautiful setting in which to enjoy picnics and wine tastings.

A contemporary tasting room features an extensive redwood deck constructed around four beautiful ancient oaks where visitors can taste some of the estate’s finest vintages against a backdrop of stunning vineyard views.

Relax on the oak-shaded deck while sipping Rusack’s award-winning handcrafted wines and enjoy a homemade picnic which can be ordered on site.

1819 Ballard Canyon Road, Solvang, California, Phone: 805-688-1278

Located in the former Solvang Designer Outlet Center, the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum is home to a private collection of rare and vintage motorcycles and European race bikes.

Owned by Virgil Elings, the motorcycles in the museum are from his private collection, which took twenty years to put together and features a variety of rare and vintage models.

The museum features rotating exhibits every month to maintain constant change and is home to a selection of British, Japanese, European and American racing bikes from the 1900's until present day, with names like Ducati, BMW, Triumph, Gilera, and Velocette.

320 Alisal Road, Solvang, California, Phone: 805-686-9522

Hans Christian Andersen was a great Danish writer of fairytales many of us grew up with. So, it is natural that you enter the park with his name through a fairytale castle gate.

Hans Christian Anderson Park is an enchanting world of fun for kids of all ages under the shade of huge live oak trees. If you are wondering what to do in Solvang with kids, this is a great place to visit.

There is a skate park for winter fun and just behind it a small playground for the little ones.

A few more playgrounds are scattered around, one of which features three levels that allow kids to climb all the way up and then slide into the soft grass.

There is a climbing wall for more adventurous children and a music-making machine that produces old-fashioned chimes just like in fairytales.

Parents can rest at one of many picnic tables scattered around the area. Make sure to stock up on wonderful Danish pastries before coming to the park; Solvang has several great options.

633 Chalk Hill Rd, Solvang, California, Phone: 805-688-7529

Take a step back in time and experience Solvang on a historic horse-drawn trolley ride through the streets of the town.

Owned and managed by the Orona family, the Solvang Trolley & Carriage offers visitors rides in a unique Danish conveyance known as a ‘Honen’ or trolley, which is pulled by two teams of healthy Belgian horses named Rita, Claire, Stella, and Coco.

Dressed up in traditional Danish attire, the Orona family takes guests past some of Solvang’s most famous landmarks, sharing their extensive knowledge and passion about the history of Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley.

The horse-drawn trolley rides the same route daily, depending on traffic, can seat up to 20 riders and boasts fabulous wrap-around view of the sights.

Copenhagen Drive, Solvang, California, Phone: 805-794-8958

Tucked away in the hills between the towns of Buellton and Lompoc in Santa Barbara County, Lincourt Vineyards is a family-owned and operated wine estate that produces, markets and distributes highly-acclaimed handmade wines.

Owned by the Foley Family, the winery overlooks the Alamo Pintado Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley and is surrounded by rolling lawns and vineyards, beautiful gardens and picnic grounds, making it the ideal base for a day of wine tasting and relaxing.

One of the old farmhouses from the estate’s dairy farm days has been converted into a rustic and charming tasting room where visitors can sample the liquid delights of the winery.

Lincourt uses sustainable methods for farming, winemaking, and business practices and produces some of the country’s finest wines.

1711 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang, California, Phone: 805-688-8554