We Spent 24 Hours in Solvang for Julefest: Ostriches, Pastries, Light Shows & More

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  • Опубликовано: 7 янв 2023
  • In this video, we went on a road trip and explored Solvang, California (a little town in the hills just north of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles) over 24 hours during their annual Julefest celebration. Exploring the town was so much fun, especially with my family! There were all sorts of things to see, including ostriches, a light show and tons of Christmas decorations. Here is how we spent 24 hours and let me know what you think in the comments.
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Комментарии • 287

  • @MetikalMan
    @MetikalMan Год назад +3

    I used to work in that blue windmill! I lived a couple blocks away and rode my bike to that windmill. It was a special little wine tasting room!

  • @sherrellbennett1333
    @sherrellbennett1333 Год назад +2

    I love Solvang! I bought my first set of dollhouse miniatures furniture there. That turned into a years long hobby resulting in several dollhouses, including a "Street of Shops" and a huge mansion called "Foxhall Manor". I also love the casino! Been there twice, won a jackpot both times. First time spent $10 and won $1400, second time spent $25 and won $4000.

  • @senorvargas113
    @senorvargas113 Год назад +17

    You missed the great waterfall in Solvang at Nojoqui Falls State Park.. its an amazing drive there on Alisal Rd past the windmill...stay on that road for about a 12 min drive, it's one of the most scenic drives!!!!! You'll see bunch of deer, wild turkeys and lots of cattle along the way...best hidden secret in Solvang, once you see sign that says Nojoqui State Park- turn left, and drive directly in all the way to the end..and follow the trail, great trail especially for kids...waterfall at the end...!!!!!

  • @epicwolf
    @epicwolf Год назад +4

    Your kids grow up so fast. Last time I catch your video was when you hike with them as babies. Feels like just yesterday

  • @patriciaaturner289
    @patriciaaturner289 Год назад +1

    My roommate and I went to Solvang. We had a blast walking around town.

  • @1suitcasesal
    @1suitcasesal Год назад

    My mother used to take us all to Solvang. She loved that place and I love it too.

  • @melindagibson8606
    @melindagibson8606 Год назад +2

    Omg I do love this place! I was actually there and woke up on 9/11. Went down to the lobby for breakfast and realized what happened. It was a crazy way to remember the place, but I've been back since. It is a cute town!

    • @californiathroughmylens
      @californiathroughmylens  Год назад +1

      Wow that is crazy to have that connection with 9/11 and Solvang!

    • @melindagibson8606
      @melindagibson8606 Год назад

      @@californiathroughmylens it is! I bought one of the wooden windmills when I was there. So it's another reminder for me. But yep, it's definitely an interesting place to be connected mentally to!

  • @debramilewski8149
    @debramilewski8149 Год назад +3

    First time viewer. LOVE Solvang! I also loved the authenticity of your video. You have a beautiful family & I really enjoyed watching you tour Solvang... Thank You!!

  • @Califoreigners
    @Califoreigners Год назад +28

    I love when you drop in those random shots of the kids, saying things like “we had to stop to watch the garbage truck.” Perfect little glimpse of exploring with toddlers and what actually catches their attention haha
    Our girls loved that castle park! If you know of any other playgrounds as cool as that in California please let us know :)

    • @broncotia3125
      @broncotia3125 Год назад +4

      Lol I thought the same thing!!. My toddler's LOVED Garbage trucks and Fire trucks. We always had to stop and watch anywhere we were ☺😍

    • @WrenchingMafia
      @WrenchingMafia Год назад +1

      I love ❤️ Solvang

    • @miahmarieeeeee
      @miahmarieeeeee Год назад

      I Love Solvang was there in 2021 ❤️

    • @miahmarieeeeee
      @miahmarieeeeee Год назад

      I Love Solvang was there in 2021 ❤️

  • @billmoore2977
    @billmoore2977 Год назад +1

    I grew up in Lompoc adout 20 minutes away. Great town lots to do and see any time of the year.

  • @EngrLethA
    @EngrLethA Год назад +2

    Thanks for the video.. that’s amazing… I went to Solvang in 2009 .. will probably visit again.. ❤

  • @pameladonnelson2093
    @pameladonnelson2093 Год назад

    I used to take my elderly mother to Solvang every spring. I rented a wheelchair and walked her around to see the downtown and ate at every restaurant we would stay Sunday thru Thursday.

  • @shampoovta
    @shampoovta Год назад +1

    The places my husband and I like are La Purísima Mission State Historic Park, Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, The Gaviota Wind Caves.

  • @susie154
    @susie154 Год назад +3

    Great video! Thanks for the memories! Last time I was there was back in the mid 60's!

  • @DanaDane559
    @DanaDane559 Год назад +3

    Yes! I grew up in Santa Maria, just about 20 minutes north. Any time we had friends or relatives visit, we all enjoyed a day in Solvang. Worth a visit! While you are there, stay an extra day, leave the kids w a responsible adult & go out on a winery tour! The Santa Ynez Valley is home to some of the best wineries anywhere.

  • @BanjaraHillbillies
    @BanjaraHillbillies 7 месяцев назад

    We live here and it's still special every single day... love Solvang ❤️ 🇩🇰

  • @LoloKanosAdventures
    @LoloKanosAdventures Год назад +1

    Nice video! I haven’t been to Solvang Since 1990. Christmas there is awesome! 😊

  • @tiadavenport5465
    @tiadavenport5465 Год назад

    We love Buttonwood Winery and Paula's Pancakes. We've been going to Solvang for thirty years.

  • @jackieo6969
    @jackieo6969 Год назад +1

    Love Solvang I visit a couple times of year.

  • @heatherneuman3095
    @heatherneuman3095 Год назад +5

    If you happen to be around the Swedish Candy Factory just across the street from The Little Mermaid statue, you can watch them make Swedish Candy by hand.

  • @caseygroves3046
    @caseygroves3046 Год назад +14

    An incredible place to visit! The mountain roads, vineyards, hiking trails and proximity to the beaches (Refugio / Gaviota) make the Santa Ynez Valley an absolute must visit place. Figueroa Mountain, Grass Mountain, Refugio Road leading up to West Camino Cielo on to Lizards Mouth, Cold Springs Tavern, the countless beautiful Wineries, the list goes on and on. Its just an unbelievably beautiful place.

  • @thurayya8905
    @thurayya8905 Год назад

    I live in California and haven't been to Solvang since 2006, but it was just a quick stop for dinner. Before that, the seventies. Amazing what you can't do without a car.

  • @joeyk9578
    @joeyk9578 Год назад

    I visited Solvang decades ago. I wish I could go back again.

  • @honeybeastie1
    @honeybeastie1 Год назад

    When I lived in LA, my family spent the day in Solvang several times each year.

  • @jeffreymcconnell6794
    @jeffreymcconnell6794 Год назад +2

    Very well done. Having grown up in Solvang from 1971-1997, and still having family in the valley, I think you did a wonderful job covering the area. Thanks for sharing your visit with us!

  • @pohakukuamoo7325
    @pohakukuamoo7325 Год назад +1

    I got to visit Solving once.....47 years ago! I'm glad to see people are still enjoying it just as much. Would love for you to visit Columbia, CA in Tuolumne county.

  • @jlafunk
    @jlafunk Год назад +1

    The Little Mermaid statue is one of several around the world. They're replicas of the original in Copenhagen.
    There's another Little Mermaid statue at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, CA.

  • @margiesplace259
    @margiesplace259 Год назад +3

    love the ostriches nice to see the town again thank you!

  • @veraswenson192
    @veraswenson192 Год назад

    My grandkids love that park!!

  • @TheAgnesrabino
    @TheAgnesrabino Год назад +2

    Whenever I'm in Solvang, I never fail to stop by Mortensen's. My favorites are the pistachio squares, the marzipan horn and one with white striped icing on top I can never pronounce the name😁

  • @the925lady
    @the925lady Год назад

    I’m going there this weekend for the first time, super excited!

  • @kezcottours
    @kezcottours Год назад

    Amazing tour.

  • @caligirllala1267
    @caligirllala1267 Год назад

    When you have some adult time in Solvang they have this adorable tiki bar there complete with vintage Hawaiian stuff and lots of Elvis things in the wall. So neat to have a drink in!

  • @hellesrensen3571
    @hellesrensen3571 Год назад +14

    Greetings from the real Denmark 🇩🇰 first of all, absolutely love both your channels! Fun fact.. in Denmark he is only known as H. C. Andersen. I’ve been to Solvang, it’s cute, but nothing like Denmark 😄 yes, those are Danish pancakes, my favourite way to eat them, is putting vanilla icecream on and rolling the pancake around so you have like a pancake tube with icecream inside. Keep up the good work, I love both your videos with Pops and the ones with your cute kids and beautiful wife!

    • @californiathroughmylens
      @californiathroughmylens  Год назад +4

      Thanks for the message! I can't wait to visit Denmark one day and thanks for the tip on how to eat a pancake. That sounds like the best way for sure!

    • @blyno
      @blyno Год назад +2

      Yeah - “Julefest” in Tivoli garden (the original Disneyland 😉) in Copenhagen is also sure worth a visit.
      Thanks for your videos from another Dane 😀🇩🇰

    • @traceytrotter9934
      @traceytrotter9934 Год назад

      Is it somewhat authentic to you?

    • @hellesrensen3571
      @hellesrensen3571 Год назад +2

      @@traceytrotter9934 not really, it reminded me more of something from Holland with all the wooden shoes and old fashioned windmills 😄

    • @hellesrensen3571
      @hellesrensen3571 Год назад

      @@randypaul7312 Never been there, btw Helle is a very common name in Denmark- at least among my age group 😝

  • @julieeverett7894
    @julieeverett7894 Год назад +9

    I’m glad you took the kids to sunny fields park! It is such a fun park for little ones. A fun tidbit about that park, it was actually designed by some of the local school children! My daughter was one of those kids chosen to help design it, she is 28 now lol!

  • @redbluebae4397
    @redbluebae4397 Год назад

    Love this place

  • @kjuarez29
    @kjuarez29 Год назад +2

    Love your videos and this is another great one! Thanks for sharing :)

  • @ruthmedrano4002
    @ruthmedrano4002 Год назад

    I love sulvang.👍🙏🙏

  • @yankeebiscuitfan
    @yankeebiscuitfan Год назад +1

    Happy 2023.
    As a European, Solvang seems like a giant tourist trap to me.

  • @alyssarenee5678
    @alyssarenee5678 Год назад +6

    Next time you go I definitely recommend getting abelskivers! But only get them from “Solvang Restaurant Home of Arne’s Famous Abelskiver” They have the best abelskivers and vanilla ice cream:) They sell out very quickly usually by 3pm so make sure to go early because the line gets long! 😁

  • @roachtoasties
    @roachtoasties Год назад +1

    It's been a while since I've been there, although I live in the San Fernando Valley. There are many things to see just outside the main city. The Hitching Post (on the Sideways movie), Buellton, Santa Ynez, Chumash Casino Resort, some wineries/vineyards, Los Olivos, and so on. I forgot the name of the road, but you can drive to Michael Jackson's old Neverland Ranch and then turn around (nothing really to see from the street, but you can view the hills and see cows). When driving back to L.A., use route 154 to Santa Barbara instead of the 101, for a change of scenery.

  • @russblakey
    @russblakey Год назад +4

    Ahh, we loved Solvang when we visited in August 2018. We went to the Christmas gift shop and bought a couple of small decorations which we hang on our tree ever since. In 2018, there were some terrible fires, and the lady in the shop thought I was an Australian firefighter, I'm actually a forklift driver from the UK. So she was kinda disappointed. But Solvang stays in our memories as a place we'd love to return to. Great video guys please keep them coming. Russ and Nikki from the UK 🇬🇧

    • @californiathroughmylens
      @californiathroughmylens  Год назад +3

      That is awesome you have decorations that still hang on your tree from Solvang. Thanks for watching the videos from the UK as well!

    • @WrenchingMafia
      @WrenchingMafia Год назад +1

      I love ❤️ Solvang

    • @miahmarieeeeee
      @miahmarieeeeee Год назад +1

      I Love Solvang was there in 2021 ❤️

  • @lynelljansen8057
    @lynelljansen8057 Год назад +1

    thanks for this. It's been years since I have been to Solvang. Great to see it again.

  • @carlupthegrove262
    @carlupthegrove262 Год назад +1

    Paula's is awesome.... also the bookstore. So much to see and experience there. Nice job

  • @WeirdLifeofV
    @WeirdLifeofV Год назад +4

    I love Ostrichland! ❤️

  • @jphan21
    @jphan21 Год назад +6

    We stayed at Vinland hotel too!!! It was nice having the loft. It’s nice just wandering around. The lights makes it looks so festive.

  • @wjgraham63
    @wjgraham63 Год назад +2

    Love that place. Julefest is awesome!!!

  • @veraswenson192
    @veraswenson192 Год назад

    Paula’s pancake is the greatest!! Cafe Dolce is the best place to get coffee and other great foods to eat!! My daughters and I go every year, and spend at least 4 days.

  • @manamedia
    @manamedia Год назад +3

    Solvang is such an odd place. It is definitely worth going to see because it is definitely unique to America. We took a group of Danes to Solvang, the looks on their faces were priceless!

  • @jamesrea329
    @jamesrea329 Год назад +3

    I recognized the hotel from the underground parking lot! Our room didn’t have a loft though. Glad to see the sausage garden and Paula’s Pancakes are still going strong, those are my favorites.

  • @Klicaniners415
    @Klicaniners415 Год назад +6

    Beautiful town!!!!!

  • @ivykaneshiro7554
    @ivykaneshiro7554 Год назад +3

    What a unique place to visit….very awesome and informative video…you have a beautiful family. Thank you and stay safe HAPPY NEW YEAR…..keep having adventurous fun days with your children 👍

  • @susankovarick9741
    @susankovarick9741 Год назад +4

    Your video was an unexpected January treat. I live in Solvang 3 blocks from downtown at Atterdag Village…a wonderful multi-level retirement community. You captured some sights I didn’t know existed. Thank you!

  • @cindyrasley627
    @cindyrasley627 Год назад

    Excellent Tour and 5hank you very much ! I LOVE Solvang❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  • @vegastocali
    @vegastocali Год назад

    I grew up here! It's a great place. Glad you enjoyed. We are getting flooded right now.

  • @Albert13tv
    @Albert13tv Год назад +3

    I love Solvang, visited one time in the early 90's on my first trip to California, good times 😀great video!

  • @marycompogno5665
    @marycompogno5665 Год назад +1

    Looks like a fun place to visit!

  • @garymesdjian5423
    @garymesdjian5423 Год назад

    It was so much fun to watch your video. Lately my husband has health issues and we can’t get out to travel like we used too. I love the Christmas decorations. Last month we did go to Riverside to the Mission Inn. The lights were amazing. I recommend it if you haven’t seen it.

  • @Yah7
    @Yah7 Год назад

    Love Solvang 👍🏼💯
    Beautiful family, God bless you all🙏🏼

  • @whatsup6005
    @whatsup6005 Год назад +3

    So many good childhood memories from Solvang :) thank you for sharing

  • @christophersmith5849
    @christophersmith5849 Год назад

    great video, looking forward to videos for 2023

  • @patriciawilliamsn9605
    @patriciawilliamsn9605 Год назад +1

    One of my favorite places to go and the bakeries are the best around. Restaurants are great also!

  • @ourv9603
    @ourv9603 Год назад

    We love Solvang. Whenever we are in the area we make a point to pop in & enjoy ourselves. Did you know there is another
    town in California which is Swedish. Kingsburg, Ca is just south of Fresno on US99 in Californias great San Joaquin valley.
    !

  • @kaumingo
    @kaumingo Год назад

    When the kids get a bit bigger, you all can stroll up to Nojoqui Falls. Just a bit south of Solvang.

  • @MarleeCraig
    @MarleeCraig Год назад +1

    It was lovely to watch this video, excellent quality and amazing content. We were in Solvang last year in July from New Zealand. It looks so beautiful at Christmas time. That Paula's Pancake House was the Bomb. Best pancakes we've ever had. Thank you for an amazing video and a wonderful trip down memory lane.

  • @OddityOdysseys
    @OddityOdysseys Год назад +10

    Happy 2023, Josh, Aimee, Sunny, & Jack! We passed through Solvang a couple years ago, but didn't have much time to explore. Now, we have a full list of places to hit up next time thanks to this video. Love it. Looks like the holiday season is the ideal time to visit.

  • @PingsNomFictionLife
    @PingsNomFictionLife Год назад +2

    Oh Solvang! I miss this place. Will have to go back soon. Thank you for this video.

  • @shimaohana
    @shimaohana Год назад +6

    So exciting to see Solvang. My sister lives in Solvang. Glad you featured the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in the Book loft. It’s a hidden gem. I visit the area at least once a year. We love the Solvang Bakery. Bear Claws, Sarah Bernhardt, Napoleon Hat, and Danish cookies are our favorites. You definitely have to try aebleskivers the next time you visit. Essentially like a Danish donut. The Jul House, which is a really neat Christmas store is always a favorite of mine’s to visit.
    And the wineries are always fun to visit in SYV. Some do live music on the weekends. Buellton has the famous Andersen Split Pea soup as well not far away. There are lots of little towns throughout the Santa Ynez Valley with lots of history as well. Like Mattie’s Tavern which use to be an old stage coach stop. It’s truly a great area.

  • @michellerene951
    @michellerene951 Год назад +2

    I absolutely love Solvang! I'm glad you went to the Sausage Garden, and Paula's Pancake house, my favorite breakfast place! What a fun video! Can't wait to go back.🥰

  • @Joannedeck
    @Joannedeck Год назад +2

    Nice overview of Solvang! As Santa Barbara residents, we come to Solvang every other month. We're members of Dana V's wine club, and my favorite shop for a unique gift is The Mole Hole. I always stop at TreaTs and True Addiction to see what new styles of women's clothes I can find.

  • @MinutesWithMates
    @MinutesWithMates Год назад

    Such an interesting place. Thanks for sharing

  • @thesoundsmith
    @thesoundsmith Год назад

    Haven't been down there in a decade or more. It is indeed a fun little town, if you like that sort of thing (I imagine your 10-to-17-year-olds will be on their phones the entire time.) Lots of powdered sugar and fresh cooking, tho. If you will only be passing through once, don't miss it.

  • @losoincaseudontknowso4849
    @losoincaseudontknowso4849 Год назад

    You missed the "Aebleskivers" !!! Great video, thanks for the hotel and park info.

  • @johngplaceslifestlye
    @johngplaceslifestlye Год назад +3

    Awesome Beaeutiful scenery and presentation What a fun and interesting town Those danish pancakes look so good too Me and my family visitied the area a few years ago

  • @Ronin4614
    @Ronin4614 Год назад

    Based at VAFB and detailed to Rancho Del Cielo. I had just returned from Germany and Solvang was like visiting a European town transplanted to Ca. Solvang was always a great place to visit. The resident of Rancho Del Cielo was also a frequent visitor. There was a pancake place not far away that was also a joy to stop at.

    • @-runningwithscissors-9766
      @-runningwithscissors-9766 Год назад

      I got the reference. President Reagan's ranch. Rode my motorcycle past it many times back in the day when he visited there.

  • @debbiel7659
    @debbiel7659 Год назад +2

    Thank you Josh and Amy! Great video! Your children are So sweet!

  • @ezmealstravels9221
    @ezmealstravels9221 Год назад

    Husband and I've stayed at same hotel 🏩, loved it!

  • @rephaelrechitzky9763
    @rephaelrechitzky9763 Год назад +2

    Thank you Josh. The kids are so cute.

  • @JenniferJoyDeakins
    @JenniferJoyDeakins Год назад +1

    I had boy /girl twins too! Did the same thing with them when we went years ago. I can relate to your family.

  • @thevalleyviking.
    @thevalleyviking. 6 месяцев назад

    If you come back to our town this year take the kids to folded hills. It's a great place to get up close with animals and close to the falls.

  • @glenacebrown9995
    @glenacebrown9995 Год назад +1

    Thank you for posting! This makes me want to visit Solvang again.

  • @CaptGage
    @CaptGage 5 месяцев назад

    Solvang is beautiful.

  • @Greenkai3000
    @Greenkai3000 Год назад +1

    California transplant here, living in Texas now. Thank you for sharing this. We’ve only been to Solvang once, over 10 years ago, but we fell in love with the town. We love it’s charm , and bakery of course. I did not know there was a replica of the Little Mermaid statue in town? We have seen the real one in Copenhagen though
    Say, have you ever been to Half Moon Bay during the pumpkin festival? If not, y’all should

  • @victoriaduncan5538
    @victoriaduncan5538 Год назад

    I love your show

  • @aysetufekci8862
    @aysetufekci8862 Год назад

    Eskos solvang Bazaar is a must shop store...❤

  • @sarahm676
    @sarahm676 Год назад

    We live in Northridge CA and we love the Copenhagen Sausages. We would drive up to the Chumash Casino then dinner at Copenhagen Sausages and walk around town...then head back to San Fernando Valley. :)

  • @beckyakre1606
    @beckyakre1606 Год назад

    I love Solvang.

  • @justagirlsd3000
    @justagirlsd3000 Год назад

    Wholesome fun❤

  • @hannahannabobana
    @hannahannabobana Год назад +2

    My hubby and I just came from there before the new year! My personal fave was walkinf around and taking pictures and videos of the town because you’re right! It’s like you’re not in California. Also I liked trying out the different pastries. It’s a must to have aebleskivers, polish sausage, and if you’d go to Olsen’s, you gotta try their Seven sisters coffee cake and the kringle! I’d come back to try the other pastries around the area. There were too many for us to go to all!

  • @MariaFlores-oh7bt
    @MariaFlores-oh7bt Год назад

    Thank you for this amazing video I been going there for over 25yrs and I have never did the night photos loved yours! Also in all the years I have never tried the sausage place thank you I will definitely do that on my next trip👏🏻 my favorite place is the sandwich shop panino greatest sandwiches we have had and still great after 20yrs and love thier homemade honey mustard ❤

  • @tcoleman2162
    @tcoleman2162 Год назад

    Awesome job!!!

  • @vegastocali
    @vegastocali Год назад

    You and Amy had a little one.. 👀🤗 Wait 2 little ones. Twins!!. what cutie pies

  • @TheMkamix
    @TheMkamix Год назад +1

    Been to Solvang and it certainly is a fun little town.

  • @robertwilliam9558
    @robertwilliam9558 Год назад +2

    Your kids are so cute. Awesome video. Thanks

    • @miahmarieeeeee
      @miahmarieeeeee Год назад +1

      I Love Solvang was there in 2021 ❤️

  • @PUAlum
    @PUAlum 6 месяцев назад

    Loved this. Thanks for posting.

  • @Charlies1Lyf
    @Charlies1Lyf Год назад

    Fitzpatrics is a must go for adults. Good drinks and FANTASTIC food! Try the Irish Stew, or the Dublin Burger with a pint!

  • @mikefreeman9251
    @mikefreeman9251 Год назад

    Cute family I've just seen your videos with your pops didn't know you had a lil family

  • @heathermason1500
    @heathermason1500 Год назад

    I was in Solvang 3 weeks ago. A really beautiful & lovely little town! Many greetings from Germany. Love your channel very much!

  • @user-gn3rx6hq6s
    @user-gn3rx6hq6s 6 месяцев назад

    The architecture is more Dutch and German. The beercans are Barbarian. And the Christmas tree burning is German. It might started as a Danish community but it's now mixed with many European countries and American. But I think that's what to expect after so many years. But fun to watch.😍

  • @liquid50hawaii
    @liquid50hawaii Год назад +2

    How about Merced! I love the downtown and food. I've enjoyed staying there on my way to Yosemite. Taking Amtrak from Oakland is really pretty along the Bay.