Solvang is tradition for my family. It's a special place. A sweet treat. Sure, it's touristy and not 100% authentic Denmark. But it's a 100% authentic part of my childhood. Unlike many places that have disappeared as I've grown older, I can still go there and I can feel like a kid again.
It brings back memories of long drives to Northern California to see my grandparents (who aren't around anymore). Solvang was an oasis on the way. A place to stop and stretch. A place to smell the fresh air and wonder at the hidden Santa Ynez Valley and the oak-dotted hills that still remind me of California's olden days.
So I continue this tradition about once a year with my kids.
But we don't try everything all in one trip. Mr. Play Parks and I have spread the specialness out over their childhood.
We always go somewhere new (to them) and try something different. This time we got Arne's Aebleskivers from the outside window. And they were really yummy!
We have this whole strategy where we park the car near Birkholm's Solvang Danish Bakery (at 460 Alisal Road, Solvang) so the kids wait for treats until the end. Plus, then we don't have to carry our ridiculously huge Bucket-'O-Danish-Butter-Cookies very far.
And Birkholm's has my VERY favorite Solvang pastries of all time - that I can't find anywhere else - the Danish Waffle. (Sure - you can find impostors that are only filled with cream, but Birkholm's puts in homemade jam.)
And don't forget to stop at the imaginative playgrounds in Solvang:
Finally, visit The Book Loft -- the independent book store in town. An awesome place to buy gifts and support our independent booksellers! The kids loved all the Scandinavian and travel titles. I also noticed a wide assortment of books on the local area and California missions. The Solvang Conference and Visitor's Bureau has tons more official info and maps.
