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luxury family travel x nosh & nurture

solvang | our own little europe

7/22/2015

44 Comments

 
“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Gluten Free in Solvang | Nosh and Nurture
Since we were camping nearby in Santa Barbara on El Capitan State Beach, we thought we'd take a day trip up to Solvang. It was pure charm. When I was just a little girl, around the age of two, my mom brought me here. I visited again when I was six or so, when we brought my baby sister.

If you've ever been to Solvang, CA you will know that everyone who visits must take the obligatory Dutch shoe photo. I now have three of these photos. One at two. One at six. And now one at thirty one.
Gluten Free in Solvang | Nosh and Nurture
Gluten Free in Solvang | Nosh and Nurture
Solvang is a town that celebrates the culture of Denmark. The architecture, food and even it's residents, hail from the small European country and it transports you from the seaside to the charming historic city. I didn't have high hopes for finding gluten-free or paleo eats, so I had packed a lunch just in case, although I was pleasantly surprised!

When we arrived, full from a campfire breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon, we set out to shop. We found an adorable pet shop where we picked up some treats for our fur babies and spent most of the afternoon taking photos with the various buildings and windmills and taking in the cute trinkets at the giftshops. 
Gluten Free in Solvang | Nosh and Nurture
Gluten Free in Solvang | Nosh and Nurture
Gluten Free in Solvang | Nosh and Nurture
Gluten Free in Solvang | Nosh and Nurture
One of our favorite shops was the toy shoppe! It had SO many toys from our childhood, including a Skip It, silly string, old Hot Wheels cars and collectible dollhouse items. We became big kids again and played in that store for quite a while. 

We spent almost five hours in Solvang, which makes it worth a day trip, and started to get quite hungry abou halfway through our visit. I spotted some adorable cafes when we arrived and parked and told Mr. Charming I wanted to scope them out before I ate what I brought with, and I'm SO glad we did!

There were actually quite a few restaurants that offered allergen-free & gluten-free options, and we decided to dine at Fresco, because it has a gorgeous patio with courtyard view and a great salad selection. Mr. Charming sipped on an Arnold Palmer and I ordered a hot water for the organic peppermint tea I brought with. When the salads arrived they were definitely photo worthy. YUM!
Gluten Free in Solvang | Nosh and Nurture
Gluten Free in Solvang | Nosh and Nurture
The lettuce mix was SO fresh, and it was topped with fresh tomato, avocado and carrots and I drizzled it with fresh olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. 

I had packed a gluten-free brownie in my bag that Mr. Charming and I split for dessert. It was the perfect lunch. 


All in all, a perfect day in one of the cutest cities on our travels thus far! Have you been to Solvang and have any memories or good eats to share? Or have any questions about an up-coming visit? Leave it in the comments!
44 Comments
Denay DeGuzman link
7/23/2015 04:54:09 am

Wow! I've lived in California and have been all over the state but I've never been to Solvang. Thanks so much for putting Solvang on my radar!

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Mandi
8/10/2015 02:05:04 pm

You're very welcome! I hope you visit and enjoy! :)

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Anali Martinez link
7/23/2015 05:15:36 am

Great post! Looks like you both had lots of fun! Thanks for sharing! I want to travel there now.

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Mandi
8/10/2015 01:58:37 pm

Thank you for your kind words!! :) And yes, its a SUPER fun place to go!

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Daisy @ Simplicity Relished link
7/23/2015 05:45:46 am

Ooh! I've heard great things about Solvang. We moved to Pasadena last year and are familiar with the SF area, but have yet to check out places like this!

Reply
Mandi
8/10/2015 01:58:14 pm

Daisy,
Yes a must see if you're that close!! :) And I love Pasadena! I used to record there a few times a week. Such a charming city

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monica link
7/23/2015 07:34:32 am

I have never heard of or been to Solvang, but this sounds like a cute place to visit! My husband and I did a roadtrip in late June along the PCH and it would have been nice to have more time to stop by here. I grew up in Georgia and we had a little town just like this called Helen :)

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Mandi
8/10/2015 02:08:03 pm

Aw I'd love to check out Helen! I'm all about finding the charming small towns when I'm visiting different states. I'd love to hear about your PCH visit, we LOVE coastal trips!

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Adriana Renee link
7/23/2015 08:27:28 am

This looks so cool! Love that California has places like this.

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Mandi
8/10/2015 02:04:43 pm

I love California so much for this reason. So many different things to see and do. Always something to explore.

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Nikki Rae link
7/23/2015 01:47:10 pm

I love Solvang. My husband and I love to go wine tasting up there.

Reply
Mandi
8/10/2015 02:08:25 pm

Nikki,

That sounds so romantic and fun!! :)

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Jessica Doll link
7/23/2015 04:42:18 pm

Solvang is one of my favorite places! Outside of actual Denmark, that is. :)

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Mandi
8/10/2015 01:59:12 pm

Yes, its so cute!! Have you been to Denmark? I'm headed there in the Spring, whats the must sees?

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Marla link
7/23/2015 11:27:06 pm

I am visiting Southern California in August. I have celiac so I am always saving gluten-free tips dining tips. Thanks for sharing about your trip to Solvang.

Reply
Mandi
8/10/2015 02:09:20 pm

Marla,

Ooh I'd love to hear about your adventure! If you write about it, link me back!! And if you find new gluten-free gems along the way I'd love to hear as we are always in California <3

Reply
Rae link
7/24/2015 06:10:07 am

Solvang has actually changed a lot over the years. Rent has gone up so a lot of the true "Danish" shops have been forced out, which is sad. One of our clients owns a restaurant in the area and said he's not sure how much longer most of the people who live and work there can hold on. :(

Reply
Mandi
8/10/2015 12:05:13 pm

Oh Rae, this breaks my heart. The last time I was there I was just a child so I don't know of the changes, but that is so unfortunate. It's the authentic eateries and people and places that make it what it is. If they get forced out it'll lose its charm and be nothing but another regular modern city. :(

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ally carter link
7/24/2015 06:24:44 am

Aww what a sweet town, looks like you had fun!

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Mandi
8/11/2015 07:40:53 am

I had a lot of fun! Thanks for stopping by!

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Diana link
7/24/2015 06:54:50 am

It looks like you had a ton of fun! I cant believe that I have lived in California my entire life and never heard of Solvang! I really want to visit it now thanks to you. www.littlemissfangirly.blogspot.com

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Mandi
8/11/2015 07:40:13 am

Diana, I know I lived there for 10 years and had only been when I was a little kiddo! Glad I went back!

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Jess link
7/24/2015 07:36:32 am

How fun! What a nice little day trip! I visited Solvang for the first time last summer when we were making our way from LA back home to SF. I didn't get a photo with that shoe though and definitely will next time!

xoxo Jess

Reply
Mandi
8/10/2015 01:57:26 pm

Jess,
It was such a good day trip! Yes, have to snap the shoe! :D

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joscelyn | Wifemamafoodie link
7/24/2015 07:44:06 am

What a charming town! I love how small and village-y it looks with all the tudor style architecture and a windmill. How nice that something like that exists in America. I'm glad they had some healthy, gf eats for you too. Your lunch looked very delicious!

Reply
Mandi
8/11/2015 07:42:10 am

Thanks for stopping by! I know, I love finding bits of European charm here in the states!

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Maggie link
7/24/2015 09:55:20 am

It does look like a little Europe! Great post and I'm loving all the photos! :)

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Mandi
8/11/2015 07:45:30 am

Maggie,

Thank you and thanks for stopping by! :)

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Chandler link
7/24/2015 01:58:56 pm

Well this is awesome! I had no idea this little town existed. I shared this with my husband and we are definitely going to have to check it out. Thanks for shairing!

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Mandi
8/11/2015 07:57:02 am

Glad you guys are going to check it out! It's quite fun!

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Jenn link
7/29/2015 09:14:53 am

What a neat place, reminds me of Leavenworth here in Washington, which is a German themed town. Definitely want to try to visit Solvang next time we're in California!

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Mandi
8/11/2015 07:52:08 am

Oh that sounds so cute! I would love to visit there. I will have to save it to my files for our Washington trip :)

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Alex link
8/3/2015 06:16:24 am

Solvang looks so cute! Living in San Jose, I sometimes think there can't be anything quaint left in California; I stand corrected. Thanks for the fun pics!

Reply
Mandi
8/11/2015 07:50:15 am

Alex,
It is so cute! And you're welcome! I would love to hear whats fun to see up there. My hubby and I will be making a trip up that way soon.

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Keishawna link
8/3/2015 07:26:23 pm

Hi! I'm visiting from The Peony Project. I have never heard of this town, but it seems like quite the place. I love towns that have a warm, welcoming, small town feel. If I'm ever in the area I will definitely visit. Thanks for sharing!!

Reply
Mandi
8/11/2015 07:54:24 am

Fellow Peony <3 hello! You're very welcome. Have you visited any charming small towns I have to check out? I'm making a new list of places to go this year.

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Laura link
8/4/2015 08:03:57 am

I went to Solvang when I was...a preteen?? I have wanted to go back for years now, gonna have to tell the hubby we need to plan a trip to Cali!

Reply
Mandi
8/11/2015 07:48:17 am

Laura,
Oh you need to def take the hubby back! It's a fun place for couples!

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Mayara Moreira link
8/5/2015 01:04:37 am

California has been on my list of places to go for a long time, This will definitely have to be the first stop!
xoxo
www.mayliving.com

Reply
Mandi
8/11/2015 07:58:33 am

Mayara,
California is beautiful <3 I have a lot of posts on different cities under my Wanderlust tab if you do make a visit.

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Catherine Short link
8/6/2015 03:00:19 am

What a cute little town!

Reply
Mandi
8/11/2015 07:55:35 am

Thanks for stopping by! It was quite cute! :)

Reply
Christine!
9/1/2015 02:54:17 am

I live in the Santa Ynez Valley- home to Solvang, great photos! Sorry you didn't write about more food & bakeries, many have gluten free options, in fact at Industrial Eats in Buellton, they have many dishes, including pizza for those who shy from gluten. Solvang Bakery has multiple choices of baked delicious goodies. New Frontiers Store & Deli has many options including the best deli case in town- so beautiful and full of good healthy food. Solvang is one of 5 towns in our Valley- please come again!

Reply
Mandi
10/19/2015 04:28:08 pm

Christine,
Will make sure to hit more spots next time I'm in town! Solvang was one of nine cities I hit down the coast so we were in town just for lunch. Would love to do a journalism trip for just the Santa Ynez Valley sometime!

Reply



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Nosh & Nurture was born of this journey I am on to better the health of myself, my family and those around me.  What started as a simple compilation of recipes has grown to a all-around lifestyle journal with ways to incorporate organic products into your home, pantry and beauty cabinet.  I also include stories on pregnancy, new motherhood, travel, Proverbs 31 marriage, and spiritual health, as I am a Christian who couldn't do any of this without my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. For more of my story you can click here. 

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