Solvang was established in 1911 when a group of Danish-Americans traveled here from the Midwest to set up a colony in sunny California. It was only in the 1940s, however, that the idea of making Solvang look like a Danish village took shape. Today its beautiful location, pretty facades, and unique ambiance draw thousands of visitors.

Getting to Solvang

Solvang sits in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, surrounded by rolling vineyards and small-town charm. One of the reasons it’s such a great holiday getaway is how easy it is to reach from both Northern and Southern California — whether you’re planning a quick overnight trip or turning it into a full weekend escape.

From the Bay Area

The drive from the Bay Area to Solvang takes about 4.5–5 hours depending on traffic. It’s a scenic, mostly highway route that becomes especially beautiful as you enter wine country. If you’re traveling with your dog, it’s an easy road trip with plenty of places to stop for breaks.

Once you arrive, most hotels offer on-site parking, and you won’t need your car much. Solvang is compact, walkable, and designed for wandering on foot — especially during Julefest when the whole downtown transforms into a glowing Christmas village.

From Los Angeles or Orange County

From LA, the drive is typically 2.5–3 hours and makes for an easy day trip or spontaneous holiday getaway. The route takes you through Ventura and Santa Barbara before turning inland toward the Santa Ynez Valley.

The final stretch along Highway 154 brings gorgeous mountain and lake views — an especially pretty drive on crisp December mornings.

From San Diego

From San Diego, expect roughly 4.5–5 hours, depending on traffic. Many travelers break up the drive in Orange County or Ventura. Once you reach Santa Barbara, Solvang is only about 45 minutes inland.

We opted for a weekend in Solvang to get the full hygge experience. If you’re considering a visit to Solvang, continue reading for the best things to do in Solvang, CA at Christmas time, plus recommendations for where to eat and stay!

Navigation & Parking Tips

Best arrival times: Midday or early afternoon is ideal — you’ll avoid evening traffic and get settled before the Christmas lights switch on at dusk.

Where to park: Most Solvang hotels offer easy parking, and there’s free public parking throughout downtown. During busier Julefest weekends, aim for lots on side streets to avoid congestion.

Walkability: Solvang is extremely walkable, and most of the festive magic happens within a few blocks. Once you park, you can explore everything on foot with your pup.

Weather & What to Pack

Solvang in December is crisp and cozy — days are mild, but evenings get cold and there could be a chance for rain.

Pack:

• A leash + poop bags

• A portable water bowl

• A blanket or travel mat for outdoor dining

• Layers (mornings and nights are chilly)

Dog-Friendly Hotels in Solvang

Solvang has a mix of boutique inns, charming Danish-style properties, and cozy wine-country hideaways — and many of them welcome pups. Staying downtown is key during Christmas, especially if you want to stroll through the Julefest lights or grab pastries without having to drive.

Below is a curated list of the best dog-friendly options in and around Solvang, ranked from most luxurious to most budget-friendly based on average nightly rates.

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1. The Landsby

Pet Fee: $100 per stay
Nightly Rate: Starting around $350–$550
Unique Features: The Landsby is Solvang’s most stylish boutique hotel, blending Scandinavian design with warm holiday charm. Dogs are welcomed with treats, and the walkable location right on Mission Drive puts you steps from bakeries, wine tasting, and Julefest activities. A favorite for those who want a cozy, elevated Christmas stay.
Address: 1576 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

2. The Ballard Inn

Pet Fee: Varies by room; call to confirm
Nightly Rate: Starting around $300–$450
Unique Features: Located in the quiet countryside just minutes from downtown Solvang, The Ballard Inn offers a peaceful, upscale escape surrounded by vineyards and rolling Santa Ynez hills. Ideal if you want a more luxurious, intimate setting while still being close to Solvang’s Christmas festivities.
Address: 2436 Baseline Ave, Solvang, CA 93463

3. Hotel Ynez

Pet Fee: $50 per pet per stay
Nightly Rate: Starting around $250–$350
Unique Features: A chic, boho-meets-ranch-style retreat set between Solvang and Santa Ynez. The property has spacious outdoor areas, cozy fire pits, and room to wander with your pup. It’s a great pick for travelers who want something stylish, relaxed, and slightly tucked away from downtown.
Address: 2644 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

4. Wine Valley Inn & Cottages

Pet Fee: $35 per pet, per night
Nightly Rate: Starting around $150–$250
Unique Features: With charming cottage-style rooms, free breakfast, and a central downtown location, Wine Valley Inn is a comfortable and convenient option for pet parents. Dogs of any size are welcome, and you’re within walking distance to all the holiday décor and Danish bakeries.
Address: 1564 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

5. The Marlo

Pet Fee: $45 per night per dog
Nightly Rate: Starting around $125–$200
Unique Features: A budget-friendly and easygoing hotel close to downtown Solvang. Simple, clean accommodations make it a great choice for travelers who want affordability and walkability without sacrificing comfort. Dogs of all sizes are welcome, making this a solid value pick for holiday visits.
Address: 293 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463

We chose The Landsby for our dog-friendly weekend and loved every minute of our stay.

It’s a boutique hotel located at 1576 Mission Dr. Solvang, CA 93463, just a few 100 ft. from downtown Solvang. Equipped with 51 rooms, ranging from cozy, deluxe or premium to luxury and suites, you will get the best rate by booking with them directly.

Their rooms feature warm, contemporary elements, comfy beds, original artwork, a soaking tub and a mini fridge. Besides spacious rooms, The Landsby property features a cozy courtyard with fire pits, a lobby you’ll want to lounge in and enjoy the hot cocoa bar and a delicious restaurant Mad & Vin, which translates to Food & Wine.

Mad & Vin specializes in delicious wine-country inspired cuisine made with fresh, seasonal ingredients from California’s central coast. Make a reservation if you plan to dine during the weekend. We enjoyed espresso martini’s, cheese curds and all our entrees. We really don’t think you can go wrong with anything on their menu.

Where to Eat: Dog-friendly Restaurants in Solvang

Beyond the danish bakeries, there are several restaurants around downtown Solvang serving breakfast lunch and dinner, some even serve breakfast all day.

1. I know we just talked about Mad & Vin, but it’s so good it deserves another mention in our Solvang restaurants section. You really can’t go wrong here if you’re looking for an upscale meal. They have a great balcony and courtyard seating areas with powerful heaters that will keep you warm on the chilliest of California evenings.
2. Paula’s Pancake House is a must eat in Solvang and the long line proves it. Get in line to put your name in early or plan to wait 40 minutes to an hour for a table. But the wait is worth it for the dutch pancakes. You can try the classic two dutch pancakes served with butter, powered sugar and syrup or opt for pancakes with fruit on top. The rest of the menu was hit or miss amongst our table, but we all agreed the dutch pancakes were delish. One odd thing about this restaurant were the birds swarming the patio and hopping from umbrella to umbrella on the hunt for food. If your dog will be bothered by this, the patio may not be for you.
3. Solvang Brewing Company is a brewery serving small bites with a spacious patio out front that is covered in turf with plenty of high top tables and picnic table seating. We enjoyed a Kolsch and pretzel with cheese.
4. CHOMP Burgers, Fries, Shakes menu is in the name of this Solvang restaurant. We also ate this meal to go, but they also have a dog friendly patio. They have another restaurant specializing in breakfast that we didn’t have time to try called Brekkies by CHOMP. They also have a dog friendly patio.
5. Copenhagen Sausage Garden is probably the most surprising restaurant we ate at in Solvang. Based on the name we didn’t have high hopes, but boy did this beer garden prove us wrong. Picture a German beer garden in a dutch town. While seated at a picnic table the group enjoyed a range of sausages, probably the best pretzel with beer cheese we’ve ever had, crispy fries (dip them in the cheese!) and delicious beer. The staff was super friendly and attentive and the patio was pretty spacious. There will be a line to get in for a table and you also need to order upon entry at the hostess stand.

Things To Do in Solvang at Christmas Time With Your Dog

Wander the village of Solvang

Although small, downtown Solvang is a sight to see at Christmas. The decorative facades, real trees lining the sidewalks and random drive by’s of Santa and a horse drawn trolley really make you feel like you’re walking around in a Hallmark movie. Start on Alisal Road, the main road in town. This is where the big windmill is located – Solvang Windmill – and where you can access all of the quaint side streets. Copenhagen Drive branches off from Alisal Road and is home to many different restaurants and wine tasting rooms that are scattered along the street. Parts of this street are closed for pedestrians so several restaurants have patio options for outdoor dining with your dog. Mission Drive runs parallel to Copenhagen Drive and offers more shops and tasting rooms.

Try all the authentic Danish bakeries

With five authentic Danish bakeries in Solvang, you’ll have a hard time choosing where to start and resisting all the sweet treats they have to offer. You’ll find long lines at the bakeries, although the lines usually move quickly. Visit early in the day for the best selections and relatively short lines. Some serve coffee and hot cocoa as well. Take your goodies outside to enjoy!

Solvang Bakery is located on Alisal Road. They have cute gingerbread people and specialize in custom gingerbread houses. We tried a gingerbread cookie, cinnamon crispy, cheese danish and an almond, apple butter pastry boat. We also got two hot cocoas to go and enjoyed our treats on their small patio right next to the Solvang Windmill.

Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery is on Mission Drive and their selection of pastries is huge. We loved the cinnamon roll and Danish waffle here!

We were only able to squeeze in two of the bakeries during our weekend visit, but if you’re ambitious maybe you can try all five and enjoy Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe on Alisal Road, Danish Mill Bakery on Copenhagen Drive, and Mortensen’s Bakery on Mission Drive too.

Sample Aebleskivers

Aebleskivers are a traditional Danish dessert, generally enjoyed during Christmas season. They are puffy little balls of pan-fried dough, somewhat like doughnut holes, but sweeter. They are served with powdered sugar and jam on top for a sweet treat.

Aebleskivers actually means apple slices, but there’s no apple in the recipe. Enjoy this traditional Danish treat at Solvang Restaurant on Copenhagen Drive. They have a walk up window just for ordering Aebleskivers. You can take them to go or enjoy them on their patio. Each order comes with three Aebleskivers.

Enjoy the local parks

Solvang Park is a small park right in the heart of the village, off Mission Drive, with picnic tables and restrooms. This is a .3 mi walk from The Landsby, making it a great potty spot for your furry friend, and at Christmas time you can enjoy a decorated Christmas tree and pavilion staged for visits with Santa.

Hans Christian Andersen Park is located on Chalk Hill Road, walking distance (or a super short drive) from Mission Drive. With lots of mature trees, walking trails, a playground, and picnic tables, the park has a lot to offer if you want to venture from the shops and restaurants downtown. We had hoped to walk around here the day before we left, but a surprise rain storm came through the area that lasted all day. We did drive through it and would definitely walk around if we find ourselves back in Solvang.

Shop for holiday gifts

Downtown Solvang has plenty of festive boutiques and small shops where you can pick up ornaments, Scandinavian decor, and foodie gifts. While not all shops allow dogs inside, the walkable layout makes it easy for one person to browse while the other hangs outside with the pup.

Enjoy some wine tasting

Depending on how much time you have, there are tasting rooms littered all over downtown and wineries you can venture to out in the Santa Ynez Valley. For more recommendations in the valley, check out Visit the Santa Ynez website.

Snap photos in some of the most Christmasy spots

Plan to spend an afternoon photographing Solvang’s colorful facades from every angle, admire the windmills, and enjoy all the Christmas decor. The village is a popular place, and on nice weather days you will find lots of people out and about.

• The Solvang Windmill lit for the holidays

• Copenhagen Drive with garlands and lights

• The giant Christmas tree in the town square

• Danish store fronts decorated with wreaths and twinkling lights

• Bakeries with holiday window displays

If you love capturing festive content, this town delivers nonstop charm.

Have you been to Solvang? Drop any additional recommendations in the comments or let us know if you have questions about planning your upcoming trip to Solvang.