United States are so big and variegated, you sure already know. Few years ago someone told us about Solvang, a small town in California, Santa Barbara County, really particular. Why? Because in this tiny pretty town you seem to be teleported in a Denmark village.
Solvang means “sunny field” in danish. The city infact was founded in 1911 by a group of Danes who traveled west to establish a Danish colony far from the midwestern winters. The city is home to a number of bakeries, restaurants, and merchants offering a taste of Denmark in California. The architecture of many of the façades and buildings reflects traditional Danish style. There is also a copy of the famous Little Mermaid statue from Copenaghen.
History tells us that, between 1850 and 1930, a considerable number of Danes left Denmark, which was suffering from poor economic prospects. According to some estimates, as many as one in ten Danes emigrated during this period, mostly to the United States. The most popular destinations for Danish settlers were States like Utah, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
And now, let me tell you why you should visit it, maybe in a couple of hours, like we did. It’s true that it’s not a main attraction, but it’s funny to suddenly feel the sensation of not being in California anymore.
The architectures will surprise you: there are several windmills that have been converted into small businesses on many street corners. If you look carefully, there are storks perched above several buildings. Horse drawn carriages are a common sight in its streets. Businesses are linked close together and have wood trim on the facades, that are often in the form of a pattern, usually crisscrossed. This gives the city more character.
If you want to taste something different, pastry shops and bakeries will be your main attraction: you’ll be pleased to find lots of Danish cookies and pastries to taste. If you love chocolate, you’ll find as well great shops: maybe a little pricey, but it’s normal for a touristic place, after all.
The Blog Around The Corner 
it looks so amazing! Little Demark 😀
Yes, sure it is! USA are so “many-sided”!:)
been to Denmark, but California rules and rocks… ❤ I was there last December, @ Death valley & San Francsico… and I'll return before this summer… 🙂
wow, you’re always on travel, Mélanie!Good for you! I totally love SF and the West Coast…Hope to return someday…
I lived in California for many years, but never made it to Solvang. I heard a lot about it, though. All over the USA there are little enclaves founded by various immigrant communities. In Michigan there is Holland (a Dutch city with windmills, tulips, etc) and Frankenmuth (a replica of a Bavarian village). Very kitsch, but interesting.
Hi Julie, a bit kitsch for sure, and i knew that it’s not the one and only “community”of this type all over the USA. I just tried to catch the amusing sides of it, it’s kinda interesting, after all.
Yes, kitsch is cool. 😀
oh, for sure!We’re all attracted by kitsch, after all. ;D
Solvang is an experience worth seeing and doing – great food, great danish, great wine region, etc., etc., etc. Thanks for sharing – Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
Yeah, i think so too: someone says that it’s only a tourist trap – and it’s not wrong for some reasons -, but it’s funny, once in a while… ;D it’s perfect for lunch time, you’re right!
I see Solvang as a tourist destination over a tourist trap. I have been to some true tourist traps and one recently where you spend a fair amount of monies and it is nothing special and sometimes it is a little worn down and dumpy. Here’s to Exploring 🙂
I totally agree with you! 🙂