The accolades keep piling up for the Danish Capital of America, as Solvang, California was named the Best Small Town in the West by USA Today.
Last week, the Denmark-inspired tourism hub in Santa Barbara County wine country was named to the top spot in the publication’s annual 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards.
Solvang edged out Astoria, Oregon and Healdsburg, California to claim the top spot in the category.
“Dog-friendly and ideal for kids, Solvang, known for its Danish-American vibe, architecture and design details, pastries and bakeries, and array of wine tasting options, also boasts dozens of unique boutiques, restaurants, and gourmet food purveyors,” USA Today wrote. “Carefully-curated indie booksellers and high-end home goods suppliers mingle with fairy tale-like children’s stores and museum gift shops.”
The walkable town in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley includes courtyards, communal spaces, and open-air venues, as well as the new permanent home of a massive mythological resident.
The town also came in at No. 5 in a different category, Best Small Town Food Scene, with readers highlighting its “elevated street cuisine” like European pretzels and sausages, and high-end restaurants with Michelin-honors.
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A public square in Solvang, California is seen in this undated photo provided by SolvangUSA.com -
A bakery in Solvang, California is seen in this undated photo provided by SolvangUSA.com -
A row of restaurants in Solvang, California is seen in this undated photo provided by SolvangUSA.com -
A brewery in Solvang, California is seen in this undated photo provided by SolvangUSA.com
Solvang was the only California town represented in the top 10 of that category.
Solvang has racked up a number of travel-related recognitions in the past handful of years, including several awards from USA Today. In 2024, Solvang landed at No. 2 in the magazine’s ranking for Best Small Town in the West. In recent years, the town was named among the best towns to visit for Christmas by both Newsweek and Holidays.com.
The USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice awards are held annually with nominees selected by a panel of experts and members of an editorial team. The public is then given the opportunity to vote and show their support for the nominees in various categories.
For the complete top 10 list of the Best Small Towns in the West, click here.