Solvang Visitor's Guide 2009 - (Page 12) Solvang Activities F ood, wine, recreation and entertainment are hallmarks of a visit to Solvang. This year—2009— marks the 45th season in Solvang of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) Danish Foods Solvang’s Danish heritage is displayed in the culinary delights found in dozens of restaurants and bakeries. Many of Solvang’s bakers are third- and fourth-generation Danes. Pastries, kringles, marzipan, almond rings, cakes, cookies, tarts and breads are traditional treats at Danish Mill Bakery (1682 Copenhagen Dr., 688-5805), Mortensen’s Danish Bakery (1588 Mission Dr., 688-8373), Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery & Coffee Shop (1529 Mission Drive, 688-6314) and Solvang Bakery (460 Alisal Rd., 688-5713). Not-to-miss Danish culinary favorites include aebleskiver (light and airy pancake balls dusted with powdered sugar and served with raspberry jam), frikadeller (meatballs), medisterpølse (Danish sausage), rødkaal (red cabbage) and the smorgaasbord (buffet). Theaterfest—the only professional resident theater company on the Central California coast. Between June and September, nights in Solvang sparkle under the stars with PCPA’s world-class theatrical productions in the 700-seat open-air Solvang Festival Theater. The worldwide favorite Les Miserables will highlight this summer’s season along with The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Music Man and Spitfire Grill. (420 Second St., 922-8313). The Solvang Trolley (also known as the Honen) is a historic wooden streetcar pulled by a pair of magnificent draft horses providing 20-minute guided tours around the village (794-8958). One of the most energetic ways of exploring Solvang is via bicycles and four-wheeled surrey cycles. Bring wheels of your own or easy-to-ride rentals offer a pedalpowered way to see the sights (Wheel Fun, 688-0091). Year-round outdoor family fun and picnics are popular in Solvang Park at the corner of Mission Drive and First Street (center of action for September’s Danish Days, Julefest in December and Free Friday Night Movies in summer). Hans Christian Andersen Park on Atterdag Road is a pleasant retreat with picnic areas, public tennis, a playground and the Skatepark for “boarders.” Kids love the whimsical playground and ball field at Sunny Fields Park on Alamo Pintado Road. For a schedule of recreational events, call 688-PLAY. More than a dozen wine-tasting rooms and gourmet food shops tempt palates throughout the 2.2 square-mile walkable village. The bounty of nearby vineyards and wineries is easily sampled from vineyard designated tasting rooms to wine bars featuring a variety of vintners. Be sure not to miss the specialty chocolate shops. For the freshest fruits, veggies, flowers and local items, check out the downtown Farmers’ Market, between Mission Drive (Hwy. 246) and Copenhagen Drive on First Street, every Wednesday afternoon year-round (962-5354). Solvang’s many restaurants and cafés are noted for fresh local foods and Danish specialties, as well as hearty American fare, gourmet wine-country cuisine and international favorites like Japanese, Chinese, Italian, German and Mexican. 12 W W W. S O LVA N G U S A . C O M | W W W. S A N TAY N E Z VA L L E Y V I S I T. C O M CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MARK DOLYAK, BILL ZELDIS, WILLIAM ETLING http://WWW.SOLVANGUSA.COM http://WWW.SANTAYNEZVALLEYVISIT.COM
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