Solvang

Last July, my daughter attended CSSSA (California State Summer School for the Arts), a 4-week program held at CalArts (California Institute of the Arts) in Valencia, CA.

We needed to drop her off on the opening day, and it was a 5-hour drive from home. I felt a same-day return was a bit too exhausting. So, my wife and I decided to stay overnight, especially since (you might agree if you live in the Bay Area) driving through Pacheco Pass late at night isn’t something I enjoy. We chose Solvang for our stopover. It had always been a contender when we planned trips to/from LA, but it’s too close to LA for a convenient stop. We typically pick Paso Robles, as it's about halfway between LA and the Bay Area. However, this time, since we had to leave Valencia in the late afternoon, Solvang was the perfect choice.

Solvang's tagline is "The Danish Capital of America." To be honest, another major reason that I had been reluctant to visit was because I assumed it would be a kitschy tourist spot with a few windmills and buildings for a TV makeover set. However, I quickly realized how wrong I was upon arrival. The town wasn't small—the main downtown street stretches about half a mile with a few up/down blocks from it. And it was not just Danish-themed; it genuinely embodied the Danish spirit.

The personal highlight of my visit to Solvang was the Hans Christian Andersen Museum. I could find numerous editions of The Little Mermaid, and I realized I may have never read Andersen's stories in their original form. Many Korean-translated versions from my childhood were either condensed or had modified endings. It made me think I should add his works to my reading list despite its long backlog.

We had dinner at Copenhagen Sausage Garden. Although we missed out on the charcuterie since it was sold out, the beer was excellent.

We stayed at The Hadsten Solvang for my Hilton Honors points. The facilities were as excellent as expected, though the room noise might need some improvement. What I appreciated most was the location. It’s situated right at the start of the main street, making it a perfect base for exploring the city on foot.

Our last schedule in the city was enjoying the famous Aebleskiver at Solvang Restaurant for breakfast. It was absolutely delicious, and I highly recommend adding ice cream on top for an extra treat.

With this trip to Solvang, I’ve realized just how charming and enjoyable small cities in California can be. Having already visited all the National Parks in the state, I think it’s time to explore more of these hidden gems.