Leavenworth in Washington or Solvang in California? Which is your choice? Or both?
As we were driving north, we passed a sign for Solvang, a popular destination as a themed town. I asked if Wade has been. Long time ago, yes. I think back to our family trip to a German-themed town when we were little. We still each have a mug with a Bavarian scene and our name. Oh, all the road trips we made in the Toyota van.
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth is located in the Cascades Mountains, which stretch from British Columbia in Canada to Northern California in the US. Being 1,168 feet (356 metres) above sea level, Leavenworth makes for a winter wonderland. Its biggest draw is its Bavarian architecture, as the city is modelled after this area of Germany. Annual festivals also attract tourists to the town, which has an annual Christmas Town festival. Half a million plus lights illuminate Leavenworth between Thanksgiving and end of February.
As a city of less than 3,000 people, its small town feel makes it a popular cozy destination. In the winter, visitors can enjoy a Bavarian-themed Christmas. Other fun things to do include taking a sleigh ride and eating roasted chestnuts. It also offers snow-shoeing, dog-sledding, and downhill and cross-country skiing. There’s even ski jumping.
If you are in Leavenworth for Christmas, come for the last 2025 Wenatchee Farmers’ Market on December 20. It goes from 9AM to 1PM at Pybus Market. Here in January? Check out the ice carving event on Saturday January 17 and Sunday January 18.
Visiting Leavenworth
Winter is not the only time to visit Leavenworth. It is also known for other festivals, especially Oktoberfest. I have not been to one in Germany though the ones thrown by the German associations in Singapore and Hong Kong were very fun. My Munich friends had a howl. And a lot of beer.
Held the first three weekends of October, Oktoberfest is a highlight. The changing colours of the trees into golds and reds makes a beautiful backdrop. With over 15,000 visitors, Oktoberfest is a tremendously popular, with tickets going on sale July 1. The dates for 2026 are set for October 2-3, 9-10, and 16-17.
In the summer, you can enjoy many outdoor activities in Solvang including biking, golfing, and rafting. There are several music festivals, wine tasting, and art events.
The original Oktoberfest took place in 1810 in Munich, the capital of Bavaria. At the royal wedding between Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese, food and drink were handed out to everyone, including the working class and farmers. Children came dressed in traditional clothing. It was so popular that the next year, the farmers of the Bavarian agricultural association came to together for the same, and to celebrate their bounty. Each year it got bigger, with more activities like carousels, though eventually the original horse races were dropped.
Since 1819, the city of Munich has been organizing Oktoberfest and today, millions of people travel in September and October to participate each year. During the festival, only beer from the city’s six traditional breweries is sold. They follow the beer purity law of 1516 (repealed in 1987) that allowed only three ingredients to be used. Water, barley, and hops. These breweries are Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner, and Spaten.
Check out these Oktoberfest guided tours, including a private one in Munich. One of my friends lived there for a while and I did love visiting the city. I was in Munich in October once, though not at the right time for Oktoberfest.
History of Leavenworth, Briefly
Getting to Leavenworth
From Seattle
Leavenworth is 135 miles east of Seattle via I-90 to WA-970 (Exit 85) then US-2 W. It is about a 2.5 hours by car. Leavenworth is also a stop on the Amtrak route between Seattle and Chicago.
Solvang
Solvang is the original European city-themed town on the West Coast of the US. If you’re looking for a Danish feel, Solvang may be the spot for you, without going all the way to Denmark. The name of the town means “Sunny Fields”.
As a “Danish” town, what kind of architecture will you see? Traditional windmills, thatched roofs, courtyards, and medieval styles.
-> Read about my visit and itinerary visiting Copenhagen. My wool blanket from Hay is still my favourite.
This town of about 6,000 is in the wine country of Central Coast, California. Located in the Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang is a popular destination for wine lovers. It’s an easy drive from Santa Barbara, which is 35 miles (56 KM) away. This makes it not far from Los Angeles (125 miles/201 KM). San Francisco is about 300 miles (483 KM).
It is also known as a Christmas Town. Solvang celebrates Julefest from late November to early January, when do the tree burn. The Julefest Tree Lighting Ceremony happens early December (December 5 this year), followed by a 50+ float parade the following day.
You can explore the town with a guided morning walk or sign up for their Fairytale Candlelight Tour and learn about Hans Christian Andersen’s life and stories about his fairytales. You can also take in the lights on a trolley tour.
History of Solvang, Briefly
Visiting Solvang
Solvang is a tourist place and I researched what to do from locals. Here are some suggestions. A great thing about Solvang is parking is free.
Eats
Breakfast & Lunch
Paula’s Pancake House is a family-owned restaurant known for its all-day breakfast. Eggs Benedict, buttermilk pancakes, omelettes, and waffles. For Danish breakfast, try the medisterpølse (traditional Danish pork sausage) and Danish pancakes. They also serve lunch. The owners, Charles and Paula Greenwald, opened their first restaurant in 1971. You can still enjoy Belgian waffles (and crepes) at their place, The Belgian Café. Opened since 1986, Paula’s Pancake House is also an institution in Solvang. This place gets crowded and often there are lines.
Paula’s Pancake House 1531 Mission Drive, Solvang. Daily 7AM to 3PM. No reservations taken. (805) 688-2867. paulaspancakehouse.com
The Belgian Café. 1671 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang. Daily 7AM to 3PM. No reservations taken. (805) 688-6630.
The Red Viking Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Located in one of the original buildings of Solvang, The Red Viking continues to be a favourite for its Danish American dishes such as traditional open-faced Danish sandwiches. The Medisterpolse is a pork sausage serviced on pumpernickel with red cabbage. Not a fan of pork? Try a sandwich with pickled herring. For dinner, there are hardier dishes such as their lamb shank, rib eye steak, schnitzel, and beef liver.
1684 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang. Daily 9AM to 8PM. Breakfast until 11AM. (805) 688-6610. theredvikingrestaurant.com
Lunch
Solvang Restaurant is the place to go for Danish food, like its Æbleskiver. This is a fluffy pancake ball with powdered sugar and topped with raspberry jam traditionally served Christmas and Easter. They are delicious. We had a Danish Christmas a few years back and got to enjoy many traditional dishes and drinks. Recipes for the æbleskiver vary, depending on the area of Denmark. You can also grab some from Olsen’s Bakery, The Red Viking, and Æbleskivehuset. Why not do a taste test and let us know!
What are the origins of these pancake balls? It’s said they date back to Viking days. After a tough battle, some Vikings decided to use their shields to make pancakes. Want to try your hand at making æbleskiver? Grab a mix from Solvang Restaurant and all you need are four eggs and a pint of milk. You can also grab an æbleskiver pan from their online shop.
Don’t have time to sit down? Get 3 æbleskiver for $4.90 from their take away window. Want them with two scoops of vanilla ice-cream?
1672 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang. Daily from 7AM, until 3PM during the week and 5PM on the weekends. (805) 688-4645. solvangrestaurant.com.
Lunch/Brunch & Dinner
Coast Range is another popular restaurant known for good food and good service. It is also Michelin-recommended. Located in Solvang’s downtown, Coast Range makes it a good spot to fuel up exploring the city. Its menu is also seasonal, with wood-grilled steaks and seafood. Its fried chicken sandwich is one of the best in California, according to the Michelin Guide. If you love mimosas, they have a bottomless option for brunch. For 90 minutes, you can top up as many times as you’d love to ($34.95).
1635 Mission Drive, Solvang. Brunch: Monday, Wednesday to Friday 10AM to 3Pm and weekends 10AM to 4PM. Dinner Daily 5PM to 10PM. (805) 624-5420. coastrange.restaurant
Copenhagen Sausage Garden is an outdoor beer garden, where you can try a variety of family-made sausages, including vegan options, along with a ton of house-made sauces. It’s casual with communal tables. Great for families, and it is pet-friendly. Don’t forget to order a fresh pretzel.
1660 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang. Opens everyday from 11AM to 8PM (9PM Friday and Saturday). Sunday opens earlier at 10 AM. (805) 245-8184. csg-solvang.com
Peasants Feast, a Michelin Guide listed restaurant, offers a seasonal and locally-sourced menu, with both indoor and outdoor seating. They are known for their hot chicken sandwich and great service. Opened in 2020, Peasants Feast was opened by chef Michael Cherney and his wife, Sarah who is the GM. Dishes are New American, from salads and burgers to tacos. Check out Peasants Feast Deli and Market if you’re short on time. Or if you are putting together a picnic basket for your wine-tasting adventures.
487 Atterday Road, Solvang. Wednesday to Sunday 11AM to 6PM. No reservations taken. (805) 686-4555. peasantsfeast.com
The Craft House is right next to Corque Hotel. Each Christmas Craft House is transformed into their Christmas pop-up bar, Miracle, serving festive cocktails. For dessert, check out their beignets. I discovered these in New Orleans and they are good. Their outdoor dining area is also pet-friendly. Reservations recommended.
420 Alisal Road, Solvang. Daily 11AM to 9:30PM, with Friday and Saturday to 10:30PM. Brunch on weekends and holidays. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day buffet. (805) 693-2258. crafthousecorque.com
The Gathering Table offers Asian and French fusion, highlighting local and seasonal ingredients. Its interiors reflect contemporary Danish decor. Their brunch menu includes the usual items like eggs, avocado toast, and pancakes. You can also find beignets (New Orleans), Nasi Goreng (Indonesian), and seafood miso soup. Some dinner delights include the Santa Barbara Sea Urchin Chawan Mushi, furikake fries, sweet and spicy fried chicken wings, Miso Black Cod, and Japanese Cucumber Salad, to name a few.
1557 Mission Drive, Solvang. Open daily from 5PM to 9PM (Friday and Saturday, to 9:30PM), with brunch from 8AM to 2PM Friday to Sunday. (805) 259-1101. gatheringtablesolvang.com
Coffee Shops & Pastry Shops
Stop by Birkholm’s Bakery for fresh Danish pastries, bear claws, and other baked goods. This family-owned bakery and café was first opened in 1951 by Carl “Cookie” Sr. and Charlotte Birkholm. Carl Sr immigrated from Denmark and the third generation continues the Danish bakery with authentic recipes. Their pastries are baked fresh daily from scratch. Birkholm’s Bakery ships.
460 Alisal Road, Solvang. Closed Tuesdays. Monday to Thursday 7AM to 5PM. Friday and Saturday 7AM -to 6PM. Sunday 7AM to 5:30PM. (805) 688-8188. birkholmsbakery.com
Good Seed Coffee Boutique has an in-house roaster in the Saint Ynez Valley. Their menu has espresso, Americano, and drip coffee as well as superfood lattes (choose from turmeric, beetroot, Blue Moon Milk which is blue from the butterfly pea flower, activated charcoal, or Mushroom Tea which is with cordyceps.) There is also a tea menu. Their bakeshop offerings are organic and some are vegan or gluten-free, such as Sister’s Hand Pies. In town for a few days, pre-order slow ferment heritage sourdough and challah loaves. Order Wednesday for a Friday pick up.
1607 Mission Drive, Solvang. Daily from 7AM closing at 3PM Monday and Tuesday and 4PM rest of the week. (805) 693-2132. goodseedcoffeeboutique.com
Mortensen’s Danish Bakery is in the Petersen Village Square, in the centre of Solvang. Opened for over forty years, recipes come from Ove Mortensen, a Copenhagen baker. You’ll find Danish favourites like butter cookies, kringle, and Danish waffle. They also have Chocolate Rum Ball.
1588 Mission Drive, Solvang. Daily 9AM to 5PM, until 6PM Friday and Saturday. (805) 688-8373. mortensensbakery.com
The owner of Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, Bent Olsen, comes from generations of chefs. He immigrated to the US in 1970 and the bakery has since been sharing award-winning Danish recipes of pastries. Try their Dark Limpa Bread, Danish Kringle, Danish butter cookies, fruit strips, or the Brunekager, the Danish Ginger Snap, perfect for the Christmas holidays.
You can also order the Danish Kransekage Cake for your wedding, anniversaries, birthdays, and other celebration. Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery ships. Translating to “wreath cake”, the Kransekege dates back to the 18th century. It is made with marzipan-filled pastry rings that make a cone-shape and decorated with icing. Available are 10, 12 and 16 rings.
1529 Mission Drive, Solvang. Daily from 7AM to 6PM Monday to Thurdsay and 7PM Friday to Sunday. (805) 688-6314. olsensdanishvillagebakery.com
Solvang Bakery is family-owned and known for their gingerbread houses, pastries, cakes, Danish kringle, and the Kransekege. Choose from a 6 to 10 ring cake or a 12 to 18 ring cake. Founded in 1981 by Susan Halme, their gingerbread traditions are part of Solvang Christmas and their creations are based on a recipe by the founder. Their 2025 Gingerbread House catalogue consists of several collections, such as the Barn Collection, the Beach Collection, the Nantucket Collection, and the Christmas Collection. New this year are the Dog or Cat House. A Gingerbread House ranges from $329 to $3,800, which is Nantucket Estate with Lights. Want to customize your own? Solvang Bakery sells kits for between $129 to $255. Solvang Bakery also ships. This is a great store with lots of baked goods to enjoy and gifts or souvenirs to take home.
438 Alisal Road, Solvang. Daily 8AM to 6PM. (805) 325-0910. solvangbakery.com
Watering Holes
The Backroom is located at the back of the Valley Brewers store. Literally, the back room. Find a seat in the patio for its chill vibes. Like a speakeasy of Prohibition days, you go through a bookcase. It’s a $5 entrance fee if you’re not a member.
515 Fourth Place, Solvang. Closed Tuesdays. 11AM to 7PM, with Friday and Saturday to 8PM. (805) 694-8892. valleyBrewers.com
High Roller Tiki Bar is a tiki lounge that’s a favourite and has been around since 2016. The menu includes drinks like Pirates Plank (white wine, raspberry, bitters, lime juice, and ginger beer), Blue Hawaii (white wine or rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and blue curacao), and Mango Monsoon (white wine, mango, habanero, and fresh lime).
433 Alisal Road, Solvang. Monday to Thurdsay 11AM to 8PM. Friday and Saturday 11AM to 12AM midnight. Sunday 12PM to 7PM. Live music usually Fridays and Saturdays from 8 to 11PM. (805) 691-9224 highrollertiki.com
Vacquero Bar is located at Coast Range Restaurant. Opens late, this craft cocktail bar serves classics and food from the restaurant menu.
1635 Mission Drive, Solvang. Daily from 10AM to 12AM midnight. Tuesday opens early from 5PM. (805) 691-9134. coastrange.restaurant
Wine Tasting
Being in wine country in Santa Barbara county, there are many vineyards and tasting rooms to visit in Solvang, and beyond. Take a scroll down Copenhagen Drive, Mission Drive, or Alamo Pintado Road.
Copenhagen Drive, starting at First Street
Find Jalopy Wine and Music’s small-batch productions from their Los Olivos vineyards at 1659 Copenhagen Drive. In Solvang for Christmas? Try their glögg or spiced Danish wine, hot or iced. It’s similar to mulled wine. Check out this traditional glögg recipe on Allrecipes. The ingredients are port wine, bourbon whiskey, white rum, cloves, cinnamon sticks, pods, orange peel, sugar, raisins, and almonds. (310) 920-5970. Open daily from 12 noon to 5PM, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cali Love Wine is next door to Jalopy Wine and Music. From their first wine making adventures in their garage in 2013, Cali Love Wine has two locations, in Solvang and Pismo Beach. Opened daily until 10PM, wine tastings are $20/person, with karaoke starting at 5PM. 1651 Copenhagen Drive. (805) 688-1678. www.CaliLoveWine.com
Lucas & Lewellen has two tasting rooms – Lucas & Lewellen Tasting Room and Toccata Tasting Room, located across from each other. The tasting fee is $20-25 per guest. Tasting at both? It’s half the fee for one. The four wine flights – Explorer’s Flight, Reserve Reds Flight, White Wines Flight, and Fun Wines Flight, all from the L&L estate vineyards.
- Explorer’s Flight – single varietals eg Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay.
- Reserve Reds Flight – Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Bordeaux blends.
- White Wines Flight – Viognier, Rosé, Gewurztraminer, and Chenin Blanc
- Fun Wines Flight – sparkling Wines, Riesling, Moscato, and Port.
Lucas & Lewellen Tasting Room. 1645 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang (805) 686-9336/(888) 777 6663. Toccata Tasting Room. 1650 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang. Daily 10AM to 4:30PM. (805) 686-5506 llwine.com
Shopping
Jule Hus or The Christmas House celebrates Christmas year-round. Come for unique gifts, including Scandinavian handcrafts. Enjoy the experience with the staff dressed in traditional Danish outfits. The store celebrated its 50th year in 2017.
1580 Mission Drive, Solvang. Daily 10AM to 5PM. (805) 688-6601
Visit The Copenhagen House website for more inf. Photos from their website.
Visit The Copenhagen House for unique items, including Danish imports. Maileg dolls. Lego minifigures, including retired sets. Kay Bojesen beech ornaments. Kay Bojesen (1886 – 1958) trained with Georg Jensen in his silver workshop and silver remained his favourite. Like many Nordic designers, functionalism is a core part of their philosophy.
They also have an oversized lego head storage unit. You can order online, like the Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971), the famous designer with the furniture company, Fritz Hansen. If you’re in Copenhagen, you can see Brøste House, once the home of Fritz Hansen. I saw it, while on a canal tour. (Here’s my Copenhagen trip) I loved visiting this city and if you’re headed there, check out my blog posts and these Copenhagen tours.
At The Copenhagen House, you can also grab a lot of super cute posters. I saw many of these on my visit.
1660 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang. Daily 10AM to 5:30PM, Friday until 6PM and Saturday until 7PM. (805) 693-5000. thecopenhagenhouse.com
Getting to Solvang
Solvang is in Santa Barbara county.
From Los Angeles, it takes about 2.5 hours by car.
- US-101 North towards Ventura and Santa Barbara
- Exit 140A to get onto CA-246 East toward Solvang
Solvang is a fun day trip if you are visiting Santa Barbara or an overnight trip if you’re in San Luis Obispo. There are lots of places to stay, right in Solvang or another town, like Buellton or Los Olivos.
Looking for a place to stay? Check out Corque Hotel or The Landsby, next to Jule Hus. Mirabelle Inn is a boutique hotel with twelve rooms. Corque Hotel offers rooms and suites, some with a private patio or balcony. The Chairman Suite has a private bedroom and two bathrooms.
Want to experience more of a Scandinavian feel, as if you’re in Copenhagen? The Landsby is your style. Bring up to two dogs (50lb max per dog and 80lb max for both with an additional pet fee).