When you need to get away, but don’t have enough time to plan a whole trip, take a short drive from LA to Solvang, California’s Denmark! I needed a break from the busy life in the city, so I cruised up to the Santa Barbara area for a few days. The Santa Ynez valley is a perfect escape from the city, providing adventure and, of course, delicious eats. Check out how I’ve planned out your next weekend getaway meal-by-meal.
Where to Stay: Stay at The Landsby hotel for an innovative, boutique style room with fantastic accommodations in the heart of Solvang. It’s the perfect home base for a weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Where to Breakfast: Try the Solvang Restaurant and be sure to get Arne’s famous aebleskivers, a traditional Danish pastry think fluffy round pancakes. It is served with raspberry jam and powdered sugar, you can order it to dine-in or they conveniently have a take-out window just for aebleskivers so you can enjoy them on a walk around town.
After a little sight-seeing in the quaint town, grab lunch at the Succulent Cafe for a seasonal sandwich on their outdoor patio.
Afternoon Sweets: Stroll to Saarloos and Sons for an afternoon cupcake and wine pairing.
For a little happy-hour action, I loved the Wandering Dog Wine Bar. In addition to their cute name, the homemade shrubs here are fantastic (I even took a bottle home with me!).
A classic dinner option is The Hitching Post. For a fantastic dessert menu (my place of choice, naturally), try Mad Vin at the Landsby.
And of course Solvang is filled with the most wonderful Danish sweet treats. Solvang Bakery has lovely almond pastries and danish cookies. Grab a bucket to take home with you and home it makes without being devoured on the car ride home.
One for the Road: On your way back to LA, be sure to stop at Cold Spring Tavern for the best tri tip sandwich I’ve ever had. It’ll make leaving this beautiful area a little easier!
The Santa Ynez valley is also a perfect spot for wine tasting, as some of the best bottles are produced in this area. Wineries I like include Lincourt, Beckman, and Roblar.
A glimpse into my day:
Sweet Somethings: