| Theme towns are always fun for travelers | | | | restroom area, we counted at least three in |
| looking for the new and different, and the | | | | Solvang - assuming there were not others we |
| Danish-inspired village of Solvang is no exception. | | | | missed. Solvang visitors never have to waste too |
| Bakeries, beer gardens and dozens of nearby | | | | much time looking for parking or a restroom, and |
| wineries are yours for exploration while town | | | | the locals seem to understand that's all the more |
| residents are liiterally dancing in the streets. And | | | | time for spending money. |
| that's just for starters. | | | | There are several inns located close to Solvang |
| It also doesn't hurt that Solvang is located in one | | | | shopping, each sharing the Danish motif and some |
| of California's most scenic areas - wine country | | | | quite elaborate. We stayed at the town's newest |
| that was shown off spectacularly in the widely | | | | lodging which is actually a former motor inn that |
| acclaimed movie Sideways. Several picturesque | | | | has gone through extensive updates. The Hadsten |
| wineries are sprinkled throughout these rolling hills | | | | House is no longer a typical motor inn, but rather |
| offering wine lovers the alluring prospect of | | | | an island of luxury with each of its rooms updated |
| scenery that becomes even more spectacular | | | | to the standards of a top luxury hotel. The new |
| with every taste of these locally produced | | | | owners have paid attention to detail with each |
| world-class wines. | | | | room now featuring everything from top-grade |
| Refreshingly, the Solvang area still registers quite | | | | carpets, custom bed treatments and French |
| low on the snootiness scale, with visitors of all | | | | furnishings to new fireplaces and completely |
| types finding much to see and enjoy in the area. | | | | remodeled bathrooms. High-definition LCD |
| In the village we noticed mostly families on the | | | | televisions and DVD players are standard. |
| sunny weekend we visited, while the wine-touring | | | | The rooms at the Hadsten House were |
| crowd was divided more into couples and small | | | | completed before our early March visit but, by |
| groups. There's the Solvang that has families | | | | April or early May, the hotel will feature extensive |
| renting pedi-cars, laughing their way through the | | | | new landscaping, a new wine bar, a new |
| one square mile of downtown stores and shops. | | | | 15-person Jacuzzi and hot breakfasts to order in |
| Then there's the Solvang of the wine-lovers who | | | | the new lobby dining area. While we were there, |
| stay at such luxurious lodgings as the Santa Ynez | | | | the rate was reduced by $70 because of ongoing |
| Inn or Fess Parker's Wine Country Inn and toast | | | | renovation; depending on where they are with |
| their crystal glasses while touring the wineries by | | | | construction, discounts may be offered for the |
| luxury limo. | | | | next few weeks. |
| Spending a few hours shopping in Solvang | | | | Solvang is located in the Santa Ynez Valley and, |
| reminded us of a similar theme town close to | | | | as previously noted, many visitors combine their |
| where we grew up - Leavenworth, Washington. | | | | Solvang shopping with excursions to several of |
| :In both towns seemingly all of the townspeople | | | | the area's 60 wineries. About 18,000 acres in the |
| and businesses buy into creating the illusion for | | | | valley are are currently covered with grapevines. |
| visitors that they are truly vacationing in Europe. | | | | Most wineries welcome visitors year-round and, if |
| While Solvang is a Danish theme, it also shares a | | | | you don't have a designated driver, there are |
| lot of the German or Alpine costumes, music and | | | | wine tours offered that will take you from winery |
| food that you will find in the Bavarian village of | | | | to winery in a luxurious stretch limo. |
| Leavenworth. And, of course, both towns have | | | | Another fun thing to do in the area is to explore |
| an abundance of bakeries and beer gardens. | | | | the locations that you saw in the Sideways movie. |
| The name Solvang means "sunny field" and the | | | | A brochure-map will direct you to locations in Los |
| town was founded in 1911 on 9,000 acres of | | | | Olivos, Santa Ynez, Buellton and Solvang, all |
| former Spanish land grant. The Danish settlers -- | | | | featured prominently in the film. There is the |
| who actually came from the Midwest -- were | | | | Days Inn Buellton where Miles and Jack stayed |
| educators and they immediately established a | | | | and the parking lot where Stephanie beats on |
| Danish folk school. That school played a major | | | | three-timing Jack. Or how about A.J. Spurs, the |
| role in keeping the Danish culture alive in this area | | | | western-themed restaurant where Jack meets his |
| for generations. Solvang is not just a town of | | | | one-night stand, Cami. Then there's the Sanford |
| Danish storefronts; much of the local population is | | | | Winery, where Miles teaches Jack the basics of |
| involved in Danish fraternal organizations and have | | | | wine tasting and, of course, Fess Parker Winery |
| long family trees back to Denmark. | | | | where the server refuses to serve Miles a full |
| Over at the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art | | | | glass of wine so he guzzles the spit bucket |
| visitors will find displays of how the early settlers | | | | instead. Altogether there are 19 Sideways |
| lived. Maps will help visitors find the original sites | | | | locations detailed on the map, all quite recognizable |
| where the community was settled. Downtown | | | | from the film. |
| you'll find more history at the Hans Christian | | | | AT A GLANCE |
| Andersen Museum. The Santa Ynez Valley | | | | WHERE: Solvang is about a half-hour's drive north |
| Historical Museum is in Santa Ynez, where you'll | | | | of Santa Barbara and can be reached easily by |
| find plenty of valley history and artifacts. | | | | driving from Santa Barbara over the scenic San |
| The shops downtown are a many and varied and | | | | Marcos Pass. From the north, follow Highway 101 |
| it will take you hours to get a sense of the | | | | south to the turn-off. |
| variety. From Christmas shops, to Danish | | | | WHAT: Solvang and its surrounding countryside |
| chocolate shops to an amazing assortment of gift | | | | are scenic and chock-full of visitor attractions. A |
| shops, the town does not disappoint. If both | | | | visit to the town can be a great trip or overnight |
| spouses aren't interested in making this a | | | | excursion, but it will take at least a couple of days |
| shop-til-you-drop weekend, Solvang offers a | | | | to get a good sampling of what the valley has to |
| simple solution: plenty of beer gardens, wineries | | | | offer in terms of wineries and tourist attractions. |
| and tasting rooms to keep your interest even if | | | | WHEN: Anytime. The climate in Solvang is mild so |
| you are not a shopper. In fact, the Solvang | | | | it's comfortable year-round. Check with the local |
| Conference and Visitors Bureau lists no fewer | | | | visitor bureau about seasonal wine events if |
| than 12 wine tasting rooms, and the beer gardens | | | | you're interested in seeing how grapes are |
| serve up real German beer in real one-liter | | | | produced into wine. |
| German steins. | | | | WHY: Solvang, with its colorful Bavarian motif |
| Additional tourist infrastructure that will prove | | | | buildings, its great selection of restaurants and |
| useful: an unusually large number of restroom and | | | | wine bars and its scenic rolling hills and nearby |
| parking facilities. While most small tourist towns | | | | wineries, would seem to have something for |
| might be content with one major parking and | | | | everyone. |