Visiting the Danish village of Solvang was one of those places I knew we could not miss while living in California. Jason and I visited when my Mom and her best friend were in town back in July. Chock-full of the cutest cafes, bakeries, wooden signs, and windmills, Solvang is the sweetest little place. Spending time in Solvang was almost like being back in Europe, but with a touch of undeniable California style.

We started out the day with Danish pancakes at Paula’s Pancake House. Danish pancakes are thinner than American-style pancakes, and I ordered mine topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream and bacon. Yum! We walked around the village for most of the morning and ended our trip by indulging in a variety of treats at Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery. We shared a Danish waffle, which is two long crispy cookies filled with raspberry jam and butter cream; a Danish almond custard kringle, which looks like a huge pretzel; and a Queen Elizabeth tart which was delicious but I am having a tough time remembering what was in.

Danish pancakes at Paula’s

Little Mermaid statue

Loads of butter cookies!

Danish almond custard kringle

Queen Elizabeth tart and Danish waffle

How cute is this little bakery?!

Do and See: Little Mermaid statue – The bronze statue is half the size of the famous statue that sits in Copenhagen, Denmark’s harbor commemorating Hans Christian Anderson’s tale of the mermaid.

See the village by walking it. It’s not huge, so you can take your time and still see it pretty quickly. Don’t miss all the cute details and signs in the village!

Eats: Paula’s Pancake House – I can only speak to the Danish pancakes, which were crazy good! We all left happy!

Sweets: Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery – Everything we had there was delicious! Not pictured are their amazing iced vanilla lattes.