Staff Report
Tracy Farhad, Executive Director of the Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau (SCVB) is pleased to announce that Solvang is one of the 10 Best Historic Small Towns winners in the USA TODAY Readers’ Choice 2018 travel contest. The list of all ten winners can be found here. Solvang also won this award in 2016 and 2017.
USA TODAY also named Solvang as one of “10 great places to enjoy global Christmas traditions in the USA”
Farhad remarked, “Solvang is the only community in California to be honored in 2018 as one of the 10 Best Historic Small Towns in this USA TODAY travel contest. Initially, media experts nominated Solvang; then people locally and around the world voted for Solvang online. We’re thrilled to have this recognition, especially since we value and celebrate Solvang’s history year-round. The best way to experience Solvang’s history is with our Heritage Walk Audio Tour App.”
This Solvang Heritage Audio Tour App is a self-guided tour featuring 22 historic attractions and points of interest in a 1.9 mile tour walking route throughout the village. Download the Solvang Heritage Audio Tour free for Apple and Android systems on the Solvang Experience App at www.SolvangUSA.com
Solvang means “sunny field” in Danish and was founded in 1911 by three Danish-American educators who discovered a place in the central coast of California where land was plentiful and their culture could prosper. Solvang was honored with the prestigious “Preserve America Community” award by the national Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in 2009.
In 2018, Solvang celebrates 107 years of its historic, cultural heritage with museums, attractions and seasonal festivals such as the 1804 National Historic Landmark Old Mission Santa Ines; Elverhoj Museum of History & Art; Hans Christian Andersen Museum (the only one in the USA); Wildling Museum of Art & Nature and the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum as well as historic displays at The Copenhagen House including the Solvang House of Amber. Festivals are traditional parts of Solvang’s historic charm. Danish Days annual festival emerged in 1936 commemorating Solvang’s heritage every September with artisans, folk dancing, three parades, aebleskiver breakfasts and free entertainment for the whole family. Locals and visitors savor the Taste of Solvang every March and Julefest (Yule-fest) during December.
Solvang welcomes over 1.5 million visitors each year, offers more than 35 restaurants, 5 authentic Danish bakeries, 25 wine tasting rooms, 150 retail shops and 18 hotels, inns and resorts along with myriad outdoor recreational opportunities and fun for all ages. Now in its second century, Solvang residents of many cultures still continue to enjoy the same historic traditions as the Danish-American founders envisioned—welcoming friends, family and visitors from around the world to share the joys of “California’s Denmark”.
For additional information, visit www.SolvangUSA.com
