Fun things to do in Solvang

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This is home of champion bred miniature horses since 1983. What is so neat about his place, is they kindly let you drive in and visit all the beautiful miniature horses and some of those are young colts. Gosh they are so cute and friendly too. Yet, they do tell you to be careful of your fingers. They love being rubbed and scratched. What a special place.

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Located right on the corner of Denmark Square is the beautiful replica of the famous Copenhagen's Little Mermaid. She tops a wonderful fountain that graces the small court yard. I almost missed her because she blends into the background of the courtyard.

Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau
1639 Copenhagen Drive
Solvang, CA 93463

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In 1911, this was one of the first buildings built in Solvang. It served as a college for 3 years. Here church services were held until the present Danish Luthern Church was completed in 1929. From 1929 to the present it has been a restaurant. Remodeled in 1963 this became the home of the Bit O'Denmark.

Hours of Business:
Monday - Sunday 11:00am - 9:00pm

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The plaque reads: Rundetaarn (Round Tower)~This tower was completed in May 1991. It is a replica approximately 1/3 size of the round tower in Copenhagen Denmark. Rundetarrn was built on the initiative of King Christian IV (1588-1648) with Hans Steenwinkel, the architect. On 7 July 1637, the foundation stone was laid, uppermost on the facade of the tower there is an inscription, a rebus, the rebus can be interpreted in the following way: lead God, the right teaching and justice into the heart of the Crowned King Christian IV, 1642. In 1642 the tower was completed. Rundetaarn is the oldest functioning observatory in Europe.

Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau
1639 Copenhagen Drive
Solvang, CA 93463

I am not much on wine, but I do know many like to venture to all the wonderful vineyards. Solvang is wine country and what better place to check out.

For maps and complete information on current vintners, events, winemaker dinners and festivals, contact:
Santa Barbara County Vintners Association 805-688-0881;
Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association 800-563-3183;
Foxen Canyon Wine Trail or Sta. Rita Hills Wine Growers Alliance or

Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau
1639 Copenhagen Drive
Solvang, CA 93463

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This museum is named and in honor after the Danish father of fairy tales. The museum contains many original and copies of Andersen's books, sketches, paper cutouts, and collages.

The Museum is located upstairs in The Book Loft Building.

Open Daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 PM.

In one of the gardens, the sign read as the following "Did you know that you're standing where the first institution for higher education in California was built? In May 1844, the first seminary for the future state of California was established here. Built within the mission santa ines quadrangle it was named THE COLLEGE OF OUR LADY OF REFUGE OF SINNERS. Here you can see a portion of the original floor of that two story building which ran north and south. Just like the church it was made of Adobe with a tile roof and was about 120' long and 50' wide. The lower floor was divided into classrooms and rooms for the instructors. The upper floor contained the dormitories with a porch over the ground floor. The exposed floor that you see is asphalt and is typical flooring of the period. The Chumash used asphalt for many purposes prior to the Spanish colonization period and gathered it from natural petroleum seeps or from the beaches".

Mission Santa Inez still conducts Catholic Ceremonies every Sunday morning. They also conduct special ceremonies such as baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals. Please refer to the website for more information. This mission is truly a great historical landmark situated in Solvang, California. I was fortunate enough to be able to sit through the Sunday ceremony and enjoyed it very much.