Solvang

Set in scenic Santa Barbara County, Solvang attracts over a million visitors annually with its thriving Danish community, distinctive architecture, unique shopping, award-winning bakeries and regional wines. With the majestic Santa Ynez Mountains as a backdrop and near perfect climate, this Danish enclave has retained its Old World charm for almost 100 years. Solvang and the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley are proud hosts of several Pro Tour cycling team training camps as well as some of the largest amateur cycling events in the USA such as the Solvang Century (5,000+ riders in March) and the Solvang Prelude (3,000+ in November).

Here’s what the pros say about the area:

Lance Armstrong, 7-time Tour de France winner:
“Solvang is a fantastic place and we have been blessed with the weather. I like the people here, the way they act."
    (1/23/04 USPS Pro Cycling Team Press Conference, Solvang)

Bjarne Riis, Team CSC Director & 1996 Tour de France winner
 “I came to California in September, drove from San Diego to San Francisco to find locations for training. We passed here, and saw one of the nicest places in all of California, to be honest.”
    (2/14/06 Team CSC Press Conference, Solvang)

David Zabriskie, Team CSC Pro Cyclist; 2nd place GC winner 2006 Tour of California
"This is a beautiful place. It's been amazing.
    (2/14/06 Team CSC Press Conference, Solvang)

Weather copper roofs, traditional windmills and a bevy of eateries serving American and Scandinavian specialties, Solvang is the Danish-American homeland envisioned by its founding fathers in 1910. Today the city boasts 2.2 square miles of museums, inns, restaurants, and unique retail shops. Highlights include the Mission Santa Inés, established in 1804, which is now a national historic landmark and open for self-guided tours. The Elverhoj Museum of History and Art showcases period rooms and an Art Gallery featuring regional and traditional Danish folk arts. Beloved storyteller Hans Christian Andersen is celebrated with a museum exhibiting hundreds of first editions, a park is named in his honor, plus there a replica of the famous "Little Mermaid" statue. Solvang is also home to the acclaimed Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts Theaterfest performing in an alfresco theatre during summer months.

Nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara's wine country, Solvang also boasts more than a dozen wine tasting rooms – the film "Sideways" was filmed here and featured local wines. Numerous nearby wineries offer tours and tastings.
Solvang is located 15 miles north of the Pacific Ocean, 132 miles north of Los Angeles and 297 miles south of San Francisco.