Solvang Visitor's Guide 2009 - (Page 19) A Solvang Walking Tour MORNING Start your day with breakfast at an authentic Danish restaurant or bakery. Don’t miss the popular aebleskiver—deliciously light and airy Danish pancake balls dusted with powdered sugar and served with raspberry jam. Stroll the tidy, pedestrian friendly village to enjoy flower-lined streets as well as picturesque architecture including several windmills, a clocktower that plays seasonal tunes plus statues of Hans Christian Andersen and the Little Mermaid. Be sure to look for ornamental storks perched on roofs—they are considered good luck in Denmark and Solvang! AFTERNOON Savor a smorgaasbord to taste frikadeller (meatballs), medisterpolse (sausage), and other Danish favorites for lunch. A shopper’s paradise, Solvang’s streets are filled with more than 150 stores offering unique treasures, handmade lace, music boxes, clocks, antiques, porcelain, Danish arts and crafts, and so much more. To learn more about Solvang’s history, visit the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art with its delightfully decorated period rooms, the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, or the national historic landmark 1804 Old Mission Santa Inés. EVENING your way through the village—there are a variety of cuisines to choose between—from Danish of course, to French, Italian, Mexican, Chinese and gourmet wine country fare. There are more than a dozen wine tasting rooms downtown (segments of the Oscar-winning movie Sideways were filmed in Solvang), so be sure to sample some of the local wines. In the summer, take in a performance at the acclaimed PCPA Theaterfest’s outdoor theatre. Stay, play and relax in the “Danish Capital of America.” Wine and dine Wondrous Wildlife Looking for fun for the whole family? Only in Solvang & the Santa Ynez Valley can your quest to see unique wildlife all in one day be easily satisfied! Kids of all ages will enjoy these amazing animals. All places are open to the public (some fees may apply). Please call ahead for current opening/closing hours. S tart at Ostrich Land, a 33-acre breeding farm to see/feed more than 100 ostriches, and some emus up close (610 East Highway 246, Buellton, 686-9696). Just a few blocks to the east is Flag Is Up Farms, home of Monty Roberts, the “Man Who Listens to Horses” where visitors are welcome to see the equine facilities and trainers in action (901 East Highway 246, Solvang, 688-9709). Proceed east on Highway 246 through Solvang and turn north on Alamo Pintado Road to discover Quicksilver Miniature Horse Ranch, a fascinating breeding facility for 34-inch and under horses that welcomes visitors daily for free viewing from 10:00 am-3:00 pm (1555 Alamo Pintado Road, Solvang, 686-4002). Continue north on Alamo Pintado Road and then turn east on Baseline Road to Seein’ Spots Farm, breeders of miniature donkeys and mules who welcomes visitors who call ahead (2599 Baseline Avenue, Ballard, 688-2275). Nearby is Alpacas de Los Olivos just one of the dozens that provide training, breeding services and boarding facilities for alpacas—the amazing gentle cousins of the llama known for their beautiful soft fiber for garments and blankets (2786 Corral de Quati, Los Olivos, 688-5746). Birding throughout the valley takes flight with hundreds of species, including yellowbilled magpie, red-tailed hawk and bald eagle. Docent-led bald eagle and wildlife nature cruises at Cachuma Lake Recreation Area are offered year-round aboard the Osprey, a 45foot pontoon boat. (Highway 154, 10 minutes south of Santa Ynez, 686-5050). MARK DOLYAK, CHUCK PLACE S O LVA N G A N D T H E S A N T A Y N E Z VA L L E Y V I S I T O R S G U I D E 2 0 0 9 19
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