LA｜Christmas Getaway Near Los Angeles — Solvang, the Danish Village

As a longtime UCSB alum, I finally get to share one of my absolute favorite day-trip spots — Solvang, the Danish Village! 🇩🇰🍞🥨 If you're looking for a charming day trip from LA, I highly recommend Solvang. It’s just a short drive from Santa Barbara — I used to go all the time in college and still visit now. The village isn’t huge, so a day is plenty to explore everything! 🎄 Christmas Vibes: During the holidays, many shops put up Christmas trees. Our favorite is the big tree in front of Old Danish Food Farm — decorated with pretzel bread ornaments 🥨🎀 — so cute! You’ll find unique trees everywhere, each with its own style — perfect for festive photos. 🛍️ Shopping: The streets are lined with cozy, compact shops selling cute trinkets, teacups, and even miniature kitchen toys — adorable finds everywhere! 🍞 Bread & Pastries: You have to try the Danish pastries here — they’re amazing! We always go to Danish Mill Bakery (they even have little fake bakers in the window!). My go-to is the Cheese Danish — with jam or just cheese — we always grab a few to take home. Highly recommend! 🍽️ Food: One restaurant we absolutely love is Coast Range. We tried their brunch this time — the Eggs Benedict was incredible. Out of all the places I’ve tried in Solvang, this one stands out. Big recommend! 📸 Photo Spots: Lots of picturesque corners — the iconic windmill is a classic (best shot in the morning light!). The colorful storefronts and charming lanes also make for lovely photos. The Christmas atmosphere fits Solvang perfectly — such a wonderful day trip destination! 📍 Address: Solvang Village Square 320 Alisal Rd #4F, Solvang, CA 93463 #ChristmasMarket #ChristmasRomance #HolidaySeason #LosAngeles #Solvang #SantaBarbara