Things to do in california's solvang is great for families

Things to do in California's Solvang Is Great for Families Theme towns are always fun for travelers looking for the new and different, and the Danishinspired village of Solvang is no exception. Bakeries, beer gardens and dozens of nearby wineries are yours for exploration while town residents are literally dancing in the streets. And that's just for starters.

It also doesn't hurt that Solvang is located in one of California's most scenic areas - wine country that was shown off spectacularly in the widely acclaimed movie sideways. Several picturesque wineries are sprinkled throughout these rolling hills offering wine lovers the alluring prospect of scenery that becomes even more spectacular with every taste of these locally produced worldclass wines.

Refreshingly, the Solvang area still registers quite low on the snootiness scale, with visitors of all types finding much to see and enjoy in the area. In the village we noticed mostly families on the sunny weekend we visited, while the wine-touring crowd was divided more into couples and small groups. Things to do in Solvang that has families renting pedi-cars, laughing their way through the one square mile of downtown stores and shops.

Additional tourist infrastructure that will prove useful: an unusually large number of restroom and parking facilities. While most small tourist towns might be content with one major parking and restroom area, we counted at least three in Solvang - assuming there were not others we missed. Solvang visitors never have to waste too much time looking for parking or a restroom, and the locals seem to understand that's all the more time for spending money.

AT A GLANCE WHERE: Solvang is about a half-hour's drive north of Santa Barbara and can be reached easily by driving from Santa Barbara over the scenic San Marcos Pass. From the north, follow Highway 101 south to the turn-off.

WHAT: Solvang and its surrounding countryside are scenic and chock-full of visitor attractions.

A visit to the town can be a great trip or overnight excursion, but it will take at least a couple of days to get a good sampling of what the valley has to offer in terms of wineries and tourist attractions.

WHEN: Anytime. The climate in Solvang is mild so it's comfortable year-round. Check with the local visitor bureau about seasonal wine events if you're interested in seeing how grapes are produced into wine.

WHY: Solvang, with its colorful Bavarian motif buildings, its great selection of restaurants and wine bars and its scenic rolling hills and nearby wineries, would seem to have something for everyone.