{"id":11455,"date":"2011-03-01T08:05:17","date_gmt":"2011-03-01T15:05:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wend.ca\/?p=11455"},"modified":"2015-10-01T21:02:25","modified_gmt":"2015-10-02T03:02:25","slug":"solvang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wend.ca\/?p=11455","title":{"rendered":"Solvang"},"content":{"rendered":"

Solvang is the Danish word for sunny fields<\/em>, which is an appropriate name for this little storybook town that allegedly experiences sun for more than 300 days of the year. <\/p>\n

As you wander the streets you feel like you’re in the middle of a Hans Christian Andersen story and not in Santa Barbara county, California.<\/p>\n

Solvang was founded in 1911 by a group of Danes looking to settle in California — their final destination was in the middle of the Santa Ynez Valley near the Santa In\u00e9s Mission. This year (2011) marks the town’s centennial year.<\/p>\n

I’ve not been to Denmark, so I can’t comment on the authenticity of the architecture, however it seems more touristy than it does European. <\/p>\n

The Danish Provincial<\/em> style is thought to be unique to Solvang. It was first brought to the town by architect Ferdinand Sorensen, the same man responsible for the town’s four windmills. <\/p>\n

Whatever the architectural origins, the buildings and Danish atmosphere draws tourists in and makes the town a popular weekend destination.<\/p>\n

What’s the best way to travel around Solvang?<\/em><\/p>\n

Beyond walking (if you can find decent parking near the town core), my personal favourite means of transportation is the H\u00f8nen<\/em>, which takes people on leisurely sightseeing tours; and, the 4-wheel surrey for self guided tours — if you have four people to work the bicycle pedals.<\/p>\n