Our most recommended things to do in Solvang

Solvang: Scavenger Hunt Adventure

1. Solvang: Scavenger Hunt Adventure

Explore Solvang differently on an interactive scavenger hunt. See the main attractions on a sightseeing tour with a difference. Enjoy time with friends and family while solving clues and completing challenges. Head to the start point in the heart of Little Denmark, where the tantalizing aromas from the local bakeries welcome you to the picture-perfect Danish streets. Then, follow your smartphone guide. Make your way among well-known and overlooked gems, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. During your quest, you’ll also explore the historic grounds of the Santa Ines Mission set against the backdrop of rolling oak-studded hills. Enjoy the flexibility of a scavenger hunt and tour where the guide is your phone. Set your own pace and take your time. Stop for a Danish or marvel at the stunning windmills. For extra fun, make it competitive by breaking your group into teams. Enjoy a fixed price for a team rather than per person pricing, providing a great-value tour if you're on a budget.

Santa Barbara: Sunset Kayak Tour

2. Santa Barbara: Sunset Kayak Tour

Discover the beautiful landscapes of Santa Barbara on a relaxing sunset kayak tour. You will watch a basic paddling demonstration and hear the safety talk before setting out on the water. Spend 2-hours on the water exploring the Santa Barbara harbor and the shoreline. Watch the sun as it settles over the sea, creating a gorgeous backdrop of the city and the Santa Ynez Mountain range. Enjoy paddling along the coastline and soak in the stunning surrounding views of the sea. Immerse yourself into a dream-like nature experience for all sea kayaking skill levels, including beginners to advanced.

Santa Barbara Surfing Lesson

3. Santa Barbara Surfing Lesson

This is a simple introduction for a first-time surfer or someone who has tried surfing a few times and needs some pointers. The instruction starts with beach lesson reviewing: how to position yourself on the board, paddling techniques, and proper stance. Once in the water students will get pointers on maneuvering waves, balance techniques, and surf etiquette. Santa Barbara Adventure Company’s surf lessons offer students a great foundation for this exciting sport. Our knowledgeable instructors have over 25 years of combined experience and will use their skills to point out the finer points of catching waves. Instructors choose surf sites based on the current swell and tide conditions, finding the best breaks for successful learning. Lessons require a minimum of four students.

Santa Barbara: Wine Country Tour

4. Santa Barbara: Wine Country Tour

Your group will be picked up by an air-conditioned van in the morning. Travel then to the first winery in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. Once there, begin wine tastings and sometimes are offered barrel room tours. On the weekdays, lunch will be served in the shade at a favorite winery or park. Your guide will pick up a delicious lunch sourced from local, fresh ingredients. Cold beverages will be provided. Visit 3 local favorite wineries in the area. Each has its unique vintages and award-winning selections. The winery staff will offer insight into specific blends and selections to our guests.

Santa Barbara: Wine Country Tour with Lunch

5. Santa Barbara: Wine Country Tour with Lunch

Explore Small-Production and Family-Owned Wine Tours in Santa Barbara! Enjoy a fun-filled day on our Santa Barbara Wine Country Tour. Join the group as we explore wines from boutique, family-owned wineries. We work with 25+ wineries, so the route varies from day to day. The tour is designed to showcase the the quality and diversity of fine wines in Santa Barbara. We give you the full wine tasting experience by visiting a mixture of vineyards and small production wine tasting rooms. Door-to-door transportation is available from Montecito, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Santa Ynez, Solvang, Los Olivos and Buellton. Pick-ups begin in the Santa Barbara area at 10:00 a.m. and then on to the Santa Ynez area at 11:00 a.m. Tours typically last about six hours. Lunch is served at the third stop. (Vegetarian, vegan and meat centric options are available)

From Santa Barbara: All-Inclusive Wine Tasting Tour & Lunch

6. From Santa Barbara: All-Inclusive Wine Tasting Tour & Lunch

Enjoy a memorable day exploring California's famous wine culture in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. Where stunning vineyards and boutique wineries await to serve up award winning small patch wines, hospitality, wine knowledge and stunning vineyard views. Depart your city of Santa Barbara area hotel at ~9:30AM aboard one of our deluxe touring vehicles. Visit 3 fantastic wineries where you get to sample award-winning wines and enjoy the best that Santa Barbara Wine Country has to offer. Your Grapeline driver/host is fun & knowledgeable. They will liaison with all three of the wineries, stow your purchases, and keep you informed and entertained throughout the day. You will enjoy an artisan inspired lunch catered by one of the valley's top lunch restaurants and served in wine country. 8 selections to choose from plus dessert. Santa Barbara Wine Country offers more than 120 wineries, and this tour supplier is one of the few companies that does not limit tours to a small portion of these. Instead, your day is flexible and takes into account your preferences in wine and scenery, as well as any special events or offerings at the wineries. In addition to the exciting tour, many of the wineries offer great discounts on wines that you may wish to purchase. Lunch options include:1. Chicken and pesto sandwich2. Greek salad with chicken3. Mixed veggie sandwich4. Roast turkey with sliced Brie sandwich5. Roast beef and horseradish cheddar sandwich6. Italian combo sandwich7. Goat cheese and roasted pepper salad8. Curried chicken salad sandwich

California Highlights Express: 3-Day Tour from Los Angeles

7. California Highlights Express: 3-Day Tour from Los Angeles

Discover the most iconic highlights of California, as well as some lesser-known gems, on this 3-day tour from Los Angeles. Drive the renowned 17 Mile Drive, explore Santa Barbara, and visit Yosemite Valley National Park or Hearst Castle. Enjoy 2 nights of accommodation and a bay cruise in San Fransisco included. Day 1: Los Angeles – Santa Barbara – 17 Mile Drive – Carmel Summer RouteDepart north up the spectacular California Coast to the first stop in Santa Barbara. Visit a Spanish Mission and learn how these religious outposts were key in the development of the entire region. Continue to Solvang, a quaint Danish community to browse in the local shops. See the spectacular California coastline up close (small vehicles will travel the southern portion of route 1 while full-size coaches will travel the 17-mile drive exclusively). Visit the town of Carmel, home to the actor Clint Eastwood. Enjoy some free time to stroll in town before departing to reach your hotel at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Oakland Airport. Winter RouteDepart north up the spectacular California Coast to the first stop in Santa Barbara. Stop at the heart of downtown at the “state street promenade” and stroll through the exclusive shops and restaurants. Continue to Santa Barbara beaches and Stearns wharf to “walk on the water” and enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean. Finish your visit at the Spanish Mission Santa Barbara and continue to Solvang, “the Danish capital of America” a quaint Danish community at the heart of California. After your lunch break, head north through Silicon Valley before departing to reach your hotel at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Oakland Airport. Day 2: San Fransisco – Bay Cruise – Golden Gate Bridge – ChinatownSummer RouteStart your tour at the Fisherman’s Wharf with a cruise in the world-famous bay. Enjoy great views of both the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Next, return to Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch before an afternoon tour that takes in all the city’s famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union square, Chinatown, and Nob Hill. Stay overnight in Modesto. Winter RouteStart your tour at the Fisherman’s Wharf with a cruise in the world-famous bay. Enjoy great views of both the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz island. Then return to Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch before an afternoon tour that takes in all the city’s famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union square, Chinatown, and Nob Hill. Stay overnight at the Springhill Suites Oakland Airport. Day 3: San Fransisco – Yosemite – Los Angeles Summer RouteHead east through the farmlands of the Joaquin Valley to Yosemite National Park. Stop at El Capitan, Bridal-Veil Falls, and Half Dome. See the highest waterfalls in North America, Yosemite Falls. Then head back to Los Angeles in the evening. Winter RouteStart the day with a visit to Monterey including the wharf and Cannery Row. Continue your tour of the beautiful California Coast with a visit to the town of Carmel-by-the-sea. Then head south to the world-famous Route #1 where you'll see the spectacular California coastline up close (small vehicles will travel the southern portion of route 1 while full-size coaches will travel the 17-mile drive exclusively). Then drive back to return to Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles: 7-Day Golden Experience Tour

8. From Los Angeles: 7-Day Golden Experience Tour

Day 1: LOS ANGELES – SANTA BARBARA – 17 MILE DRIVE – CARMEL Depart north up the spectacular California Coast to the first stop in Santa Barbara. Visit a Spanish Mission and continue to Solvang, a quaint Danish community to browse in the local shops. Head north to the world-famous Route #1 where you'll get to see the spectacular California coastline up close (small vehicles will travel the southern portion of route 1 while full-size coaches will travel the 17-mile drive exclusively). Visit the town of Carmel and enjoy some free time to stroll in town before departing to reach your hotel at the Spring Hill Suites by Marriott Oakland Airport. Day 2: SAN FRANCISCO – BAY CRUISE – GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE – CHINATOWN Start your tour at the Fisherman’s Wharf with a cruise in the world-famous bay. See great views of both the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island on your way to Sausalito. Return to Pier 39 for a leisurely lunch before an afternoon tour that takes in all the city’s famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Union square, Chinatown, and Nob Hill. Stay overnight in Modesto. Day 3: MODESTO – YOSEMITE Summer Route: Head east through the farmlands of the Joaquin Valley to Yosemite National Park. Stop at El Capitan, Bridal-Veil Falls, and Half Dome. After a beautiful day in the park, head to Stevenson Ranch and stay the night at the Comfort Inn and Suites Stevenson Ranch. Day 4: STEVENSON RANCH – LAS VEGAS Head east through the desert and Death Valley to arrive at the gambling capital of the world: Las Vegas. Stop for lunch at the outlet mall in Barstow and in the evening, take a tour of the strip to see some amazing hotels such as Caesar’s Palace, Luxor, Mirage, Paris, Venetian, Bellagio, New York New York, Treasure Island, and more. Stay overnight at the Harrah’s Hotel. Day 5: LAS VEGAS – GRAND CANYON – PAGE Start the day traveling through the desert and through the Navajo Indian reservation before you arrive at the south bank of the Grand Canyon. After lunch, continue along the canyon east stopping at some of the Indian market places to browse the handmade arts and crafts. Then, head to the Page and Lake Powell area for the evening where you will stay at the Quality Inn View of Lake Powell. Day 6: ANTELOPE CANYON – BRYCE CANYON Tour the Antelope Canyon and visit the spectacular dunes created by the wind, water, and sand. Then head west to Bryce Canyon, home to the most amazing natural sculptures in the world. Experience the unique changing of the colors during the sunset from one of the vista points in the park (this may change due to changing sunset times). After the visit, head towards the town of Kanab, where you will stay overnight at the Days Inn Kanab. On certain departures, the tour will continue to Cedar City for the night. Day 7: ZION PARK – LAS VEGAS Head into Zion Park and enjoy a short walking trail along the Virgin River that runs through the park. Arrive in Las Vegas and head towards Los Angeles for a late night.

Santa Barbara: Santa Ynez Wine Country Shuttle

9. Santa Barbara: Santa Ynez Wine Country Shuttle

Explore some of the best wineries in the famous Santa Ynez Valley. Enjoy a tasting, glass, or bottle of wine with a pairing of various food options at each winery.Learn from discussions of local history and gain insights into the Santa Ynez wine region along the way with your knowledgeable guides. Sample Itinerary: 9:30 - 10:45 AM – pickup at hotel 11:15 AM – winery tasting 12:15 PM – winery tasting 1:15 - 2:15 PM – lunch at a winery 2:30 PM – winery tasting 4 - 4:30 PM – drop-off at your hotel

Solvang: Food & Photo Tour

10. Solvang: Food & Photo Tour

Start the tour in Centennial Plaza and begin your walk through the downtown neighborhood streets. Taste traditional and local artisan cuisine, and regional delicacies of Solvang and the Central Coast. Indulge in bites of traditional Danish comfort food, freshly baked goods, craft beer, local wine, and artisanal products. Immerse yourself in the local culture as you learn about the town's history, and hear interesting stories about each place you'll visit. Learn easy-to-shoot photo tips from your pro tour guide and take your foodie photo skills to the next level using your smartphone's camera app. By the end of your 4-hour tour, you’ll be eating like a local and shooting like a pro!

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What people are saying about Solvang

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 84 reviews

For those, like us, who want to be amazed in a short time, this tour is ideal. I shared these moments with my 10-year-old daughter…unforgettable… The roads are long, of course, but the discovery of all these mythical places steeped in history offers us magical moments. The bus is air-conditioned, comfortable. The guides are friendly.. a small flat on the breakfasts of certain hotels which do not offer much choice.

This was a really great adventure- especially for those with out much experience. My group and I had kayaked a lot before but our guides we so helpful in making the excursion memorable and unique to us all. We talked a lot about the harbor in Santa Barbara and when we went out into the open ocean for a little bit we saw sea lions!! It was a really awesome trip and would recommend to people of any ability :)

It was worth the money I spent. Jacob was the guide/coach driver and was very nice and very experienced. I enjoy the small group. Then we joined the larger group in the last 3 days. Robert too was very good. It was best experienced than explained. Very hectic, wake up early and finished late some days so as to cover many places. You will enjoy the adventure

The tour was great. Our driver Sunny was very nice. She kept everything running smoothly and was informative. My friends and I were celebrating a work anniversary and it was a perfect day. Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants a relaxing day of wine tasting in Santa Barbara.

We had a great day! Sunny was a fantastic tour guide-very knowledgeable and friendly!