What to Do
With nearly 300 days of sunshine annually, any time of the year is the perfect time to visit Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley. Not to miss attractions include shopping at 150 independent boutiques, stores and art galleries and culinary delights including a dozen wine tasting rooms all within walking distance. Hop aboard the Solvang Trolley for a tour--a historic wooden streetcar pulled by a pair of magnificent horses, or, on a surrey bicycle made for up to six at Wheel Fun Rentals.
Year-round outdoor family fun and picnics are popular in Hans Christian Andersen Park, Sunny Fields Park and Solvang Park. Bicycle, golf, hike, fish and see wildlife. Tour a lavender farm, horse ranch or ostrich farm. Take a horseback ride or soar over it all in a glider. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a vineyard or waterside at Cachuma Lake or Nojoqui Falls parks. Refresh and rejuvenate at a day spa. Experience year-round 24/7/365 gaming and live entertainment at Chumash Casino Resort. At night, do some dancing, take in a live concert or see PCPA Theaterfest's professional summer performances under the stars. Solvang is a great place for a special event such as a conference, family reunion or wedding celebration. Check out some suggested itineraries to make the most of your visit.
Danish Days - Sept. 17 - 19, 2010
Danish and US flags line the streets, people don colorful costumes, FreeConcert ~ Torchlight Parade ~ Velkommen Street Dance ~ Aebleskiver Breakfast for $4.50 (with Danish sausage, $5). ~ Kid's Korner ~ Aebleskiver Eating Contest in Solvang Park
Elverhoj Museum of History & Art
JULY 10-SEPTEMBER 5: Tidal Transformations. Gallery exhibition featuring Carol Carbine & Blakeney Sanford.
SEPTEMBER 18 & 19, 10AM to-4PM: Living History Festival. Free.
ELVERHOJ MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART
Exhibits showcase Solvang's rich cultural history. The former residence of one of Solvang's most artistic families is now a community museum devoted to the history of Solvang, the Danish-American pioneer spirit, the colorful heritage of Denmark, and the arts. The historic hand-crafted structure was the dream home of Viggo Brandt-Erichsen and his wife, Martha Mott. He was an internationally recognized painter and sculptor and she was an accomplished painter and art teacher.
PCPA's summer live performances - outdoor Solvang Theaterfest 8pm, June 17 - Sept. 12, 2010
June 17 - July 3 
Curtains ~ Tony-winning musical comedy
July 9 - 25
Sylvia ~ A love me, love my dog, comedy
July 30 - August 22
West Side Story ~ Award-winning musical
August 27 - September 12
Songs for a New World ~ It's all about the music!
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN MUSEUM, established to foster public understanding of Hans Christian Andersen and his work. Located upstairs in The Book Loft Building, 1680 Mission Drive, Solvang. Open Daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 805-688-2052
The SOLVANG VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM houses a collection of vintage and rare motorcycles as well as European race bikes. The motorcycles in the museum are from the private collection of Virgil Elings. The collection is quite broad: vintage motorcycle racing, both motocross and road racing bikes. The museum rotates some of the bikes each month so that the bikes on display are constantly changing and expanding. Weekends 11:00 am - 5:00 pm and by appointment mid-week. 805-686-9522
Taste of Solvang, March 18-20, 2011Scrumptious Dessert Reception & live music , Walking Smorgaasbord , free tours Mission Santa Ines & Elverhoj Museum of History & Art. Savor the Wine Tasting Room Walk.
Take a narrated tour," Ride the Honen Streetcar"
One of the most popular ways of exploring Solvang is via a 20-minute tour aboard the Honen (Danish for little hen), a replica 1915 streetcar pulled by a handsome pair of Belgian draft horses. Located on Copenhagen Drive near Solvang Visitor Center.
Wheel Fun Rentals, 805-688-0091
For the energetic visitor, bicycle and four-wheeled "surrey cycle" rentals offer a pedal-powered way to see the sights.
