15 Best Things to Do in Solvang, California, Beyond the Bakeries

Quick answer: Beyond the bakeries, the top things to do in Solvang are wine tasting in the valley, a guided or e-bike wine tour, Old Mission Santa Inés, the Elverhoj and Hans Christian Andersen museums, Nojoqui Falls, and Ostrichland USA.

Solvang is more than pastries. The town sits in the Santa Ynez Valley, deep in Santa Barbara wine country. Danish windmills line the streets. Vineyards roll out past them. So yes, the bakeries pull the crowds. But the best things to do in Solvang, California start once the sugar wears off. Founded by Danish settlers in 1911, the name means sunny field. And the town hides a lot past its pastry counters. Here are 15 to plan around.

1. Taste the Santa Ynez Valley wines

Wine put Solvang on the map. The 2004 film Sideways lit the fuse. Now, about 20 tasting rooms sit within a short walk of downtown. You can try Pinot, Syrah, and Chardonnay without touching your car. Curious which bottles stand out? Here is where to find the best Santa Barbara Pinot Noir. Most rooms are small. Many are family-run. Start on Copenhagen Drive and follow your nose. Sounds easy? It is.

2. Book a Guided Wine Tour

Here is the smart move. You came to drink, so let someone else drive. Guided wine tours run daily through the valley. A driver takes the roads. You take the glass. Small groups hit three or four wineries in an afternoon. Some tours lean green, with organic vineyards and farm-to-table lunches. For that, book a small-group sustainable wine tour with a private driver. Book ahead on weekends. They fill fast.

3. Ride an e-bike through the vineyards

Prefer to earn your pour? Try the valley on two wheels. E-bike wine tours roll past Los Olivos, oak groves, and rows of vines. The electric assist flattens the hills. Riders in their 60s and 70s do it with ease. Most trips stop for a vineyard lunch and a tasting. It beats a van. And it is a lot more fun.

Want to tour the valley with a lighter footprint? A few greener options stand out here.

• E-bike wine tours that swap the van for pedal power
• Organic and biodynamic vineyards that farm without harsh sprays
• Farm-to-table lunches pulled from valley ranches
• Electric shuttle tours that hum around the village

4. Walk through Old Mission Santa Inés

This spot beats the Danes by a century. Father Serra’s crew built it in 1804. It was the 19th of California’s 21 missions. The chapel still runs as a parish. Step inside for old murals and quiet gardens. The back terrace looks out over the river valley. It is open daily. Bring a few dollars for entry.

5. See Danish history at the Elverhoj Museum

Most visitors skip this one. Big mistake. The Elverhoj Museum of History and Art fills a former artist’s home. It opened in 1988. Inside, you will find clog-making tools, lace work, and the story of the settlers. Rotating art shows keep it fresh. Entry runs on donation. Give what feels right.

6. Visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum

Free never felt this charming. The museum honors the Danish author of The Little Mermaid and The Princess and the Pea. It sits upstairs from the Book Loft, a small indie bookshop. Andersen never set foot here. Does not matter. The collection is tiny but dense. Browse the shop below on your way out.

7. Geek out at the Vintage Motorcycle Museum

Bikes, not danishes. The Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum holds racing machines from around the world. The LA Times once named it a top California spot for under $10. It opens weekends only, 10 to 4. Cash gets you in for ten bucks. Even non-riders leave impressed. Worth the stop.

8. Explore the California Nature Art Museum

Art meets the outdoors here. Once called the Wildling, this museum spotlights the wild Central Coast. Think landscapes, wildlife, and shifting exhibits. It stays small and calm. A good break from the crowds on Copenhagen Drive. Check the current show first. It changes often.

9. Ride the Solvang Trolley

Locals call it the Honen. That is a little hen in Danish. The trolley is a wooden streetcar pulled by two draft horses. A narrated loop runs about 25 minutes through the village. Kids love it. So do tired feet. It is the slow, old way to see downtown. Hop on near Solvang Park.

10. Feed the birds at Ostrichland USA

This one is odd and great. Just off Highway 246, Ostrichland USA lets you feed ostriches and emus. Hold out the tray and brace yourself. Those necks move fast. It sits about 2.5 miles from downtown, toward Buellton. Kids go wild for it. Grab fresh ostrich eggs at the shop.

11. Hike to Nojoqui Falls

Want a quick nature fix? Head south to Nojoqui Falls Park. The trail to the waterfall is short and mostly flat. Ten easy minutes get you there. The falls run best in spring, after the winter rains. Bring a picnic and use the shaded tables. Dogs are welcome on a leash.

12. Meet the mini horses at Quicksilver

Yes, miniature horses. Quicksilver Miniature Horse Farm sits a short drive from town. The ranch raises tiny, gentle horses you can meet up close. It is free during open hours. Call ahead to check. Many valley bike tours roll past it, too. A soft spot for kids.

13. Day trip to Los Olivos

Solvang is not the only cute town here. Los Olivos sits ten minutes north. Its main street packs tasting rooms, galleries, and good food into a few blocks. Sideways fans will know the name. Park once and walk it all. Then taste your way back.

14. Shop the Copenhagen House and windmills

Skip the fridge magnets. The Copenhagen House stocks real Danish design, jewelry, and decor. A 10-foot wooden Holger Danske guards the door. Outside, four windmills anchor the village. Find the bronze Little Mermaid fountain, too. It copies the Copenhagen original. Great for photos.

15. Catch a show or ride a horse

End on something active. The 700-seat Solvang Festival Theater runs outdoor plays and concerts under the stars. Prefer the saddle? Alisal Ranch offers trail rides just outside town. Fifty miles of trails wind through oak country. Book either one ahead. Both fill in the summer.

Quick planner for the paid stops.

FAQs

Is Solvang worth visiting besides the bakeries?

Yes. The Santa Ynez Valley wine scene alone earns the trip. Add missions, museums, e-bike tours, and Ostrichland, and you have a full day or two. The pastries are just the start.

What is the best thing to do in Solvang for wine lovers?

Book a guided wine tour of the Santa Ynez Valley. A driver runs you to three or four wineries, so you taste freely and skip the wheel. E-bike wine tours are a greener pick.

How many wineries are near Solvang?

About 20 tasting rooms sit in downtown Solvang. More than 120 wineries are spread across the wider Santa Ynez Valley. Most are small and family-run.

How long should you spend in Solvang?

One full day covers the highlights. Stay overnight to fit in wine tasting, a hike, and a slow morning. Two days feel just right.