Do Solvang in the morning and Los Olivos in the afternoon. Danish pancakes at Paula's, the 1804 mission, one museum, lunch at peasants FEAST and a tasting at Lucas & Lewellen fill the village by 2. Then drive 14 minutes to Los Olivos for walk-in tasting rooms and dinner. Go Wednesday to Sunday, and park free.
The short version
- Pancake peoplePaula's, no reservations, so go before 9:30 on weekends.
- The lunch worth planning aroundpeasants FEAST, Wed to Sun, walk in before noon.
- Drivers1639 Copenhagen Drive, free.
- Ready for wineLos Olivos, 14 minutes north.
- Heads-upSkip Monday and Tuesday: peasants FEAST and Bar Le Côte are closed, and Elverhøj Museum also closes Wednesday.
This week
- FriNov 6NatureTrack Film Festival · Visit NatureTrack Foundation
8th annual; reception 6pm, program 6:45pm at the SYV Grange Hall · $25 · by NatureTrack Foundation
- Nov6–8Buellton Fall Festival · Visit Buellton
Avenue of the Flags; Fri 4-10pm, Sat-Sun 12-10pm; carnival rides, live music on two stages; Ales on the Avenue beer and wine tasting Sat (tickets) · Free · by City of Buellton
- SatNov 7SYV Historical Museum Vaquero Benefit Dinner & Auction · Visit Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum
42nd annual · Tickets (early bird from Aug 1) · by Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum
- SatNov 7Alma Rosa Fall Harvest Dinner · Visit Alma Rosa Winery
Winery event; check access on the listing · Not published · by Alma Rosa Winery
The day, hour by hour
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | Danish pancakes at Paula's Pancake House (7 to 3 daily, no reservations), or aebleskiver at Solvang Restaurant, home of Arne's, with the booth from Sideways. |
| 10:00 | Old Mission Santa Inés, founded 1804 and still a working parish. Self-guided, $9, from 9am. Give it an hour. |
| 11:00 | Pick one museum: Elverhøj, the town's history and art museum ($5, closed Tuesday and Wednesday) or the Solvang Viking Museum, open daily. |
| 12:00 | Lunch at peasants FEAST, Michelin Bib Gourmand, no reservations; or rød pølse at Copenhagen Sausage Garden. |
| 1:00 | One tasting in the village: Lucas & Lewellen (no booking under 7), which gets you half off at Toccata across the street. |
| 2:00 | Buy the bakery box on the way to the car: bear claws at Mortensen's, kringle at Olsen's. Then 14 minutes to Los Olivos. |
| 2:30 | Park by the Los Olivos flagpole. Walk-ins at SAMsARA, Evan's Ranch and Brewer-Clifton (Wednesday to Sunday). |
| 5:00 | Dinner at Bar Le Côte or Los Olivos Café, or back to Solvang where Alma Rosa pours until 8 (Wednesday to Sunday) and Sanger until 9:30 (Friday to Monday). |
Getting there and parking
From downtown LA it's about 2 hours 40 without traffic, and from downtown Santa Barbara about 50 minutes over Hwy 154. Parking is free in the street and in three public lots. The 1639 Copenhagen Drive lot is a block from peasants FEAST and next to the Visitor Center; Oak Street and Alisal Road are three minutes further. Details in Solvang parking, and the bus and shuttle options in getting to Solvang.
What to eat in Solvang
The Danish things are worth doing once, properly: Paula's thin pancakes, aebleskiver at Solvang Restaurant and rød pølse from the Sausage Garden, which lists 11 family-made sausages. The Red Viking no longer runs a smorgasbord buffet. For a sit-down lunch that isn't Danish, see best lunch in Solvang; for the bakeries, Solvang bakeries.
Why pair it with Los Olivos
Solvang's village is a few blocks, and a morning covers it. Los Olivos is the opposite: one flagpole, 30-plus tasting rooms on and around Grand Avenue, most of them walk-in. It's also where the dinner options get serious, from Bar Le Côte to Mattei's Tavern. If you'd rather drink Pinot at the source, swap it for the Sta. Rita Hills route.
Which day to go
Wednesday to Sunday, and ideally Thursday to Sunday. peasants FEAST and Bar Le Côte close Monday and Tuesday, Elverhøj closes Tuesday and Wednesday, and Birkholm's Bakery closes Tuesday. Tuesday has one thing going for it: Cailloux Cheese Shop's Industry & Locals Night, 6 to 9, with $10 tapas. Big weekends are Danish Days in September and Julefest in December, when lots can close for parades.
Plan your day
- MorningBreakfast first: Breakfast in SolvangDanish pancakes to bear claws
- MiddayGo tasting: Wine tasting in SolvangNebbiolo to Rhône in an adobe
- EveningBook dinner: Solvang restaurantsBib Gourmand chicken to aebleskiver
- LateNight out: Solvang happy hoursSpritzes, Industry Night, 8pm deals
- OvernightFind a bed: Solvang hotelsNordic rooms to a 1946 ranch
Your next move
- Then readThe afternoon half of the day, room by room. Los Olivos wine tasting
- Every ThursdayWhat to eat, where to go and what to book this weekend. Get the weekend note
Good to know
What is the best day for a Solvang day trip? Wednesday to Sunday. peasants FEAST and Bar Le Côte close Monday and Tuesday, and Elverhøj Museum closes Tuesday and Wednesday, so Thursday to Sunday gets you everything. Weekends are busiest; during Danish Days in September and Julefest in December, arrive early.
Solvang day trip FAQ
Is Solvang worth a day trip?
Yes, as half a day. The Danish village is a few walkable blocks: breakfast, the 1804 mission, a museum, lunch and a tasting fill a morning. Spend the afternoon 14 minutes away in Los Olivos, which has 30-plus tasting rooms, and the day feels full rather than repeated.
How far is Solvang from LA and Santa Barbara?
About 128 miles and 2 hours 40 minutes from downtown LA, and about 33 miles and 50 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara over Hwy 154, both without traffic. From LA, leave by 7 to make a 9:30 breakfast.
Where do you park for a day in Solvang?
Free, in one of three public lots: 1639 Copenhagen Drive next to the Visitor Center, 464 Alisal Road and 1616 Oak Street. City lots allow up to 24 hours, so a day is no problem. Vehicles over 20 feet must use the RV spaces at 1745 Mission Drive.
What should you eat in Solvang?
Thin Danish pancakes at Paula's, aebleskiver at Solvang Restaurant, rød pølse (the red Danish hot dog) at Copenhagen Sausage Garden, and a bakery box from Mortensen's (almond-paste bear claws) or Olsen's (kringle). For a proper lunch, peasants FEAST.
Sources
tap to open
- Drive times: OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), car profile, without traffic.
- Hours, prices and policies: each place's own website, linked from its page on this site.
- Visit Solvang, Parking in Solvang
- Solvang Municipal Code, Parking Lots
- Visit Santa Ynez Valley, 2026 Visitor Guide (Los Olivos 30+ tasting rooms)
Last updated Oct 17, 2026. Hours shift by season. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
