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TR A VEL

154 out of Santa Barbara. Heading over
San Marcos Pass, make sure to stop and
look at the Pacific Ocean views before
going over the top. Once at the top you
might want to stop at Cold Springs
Tavern on Stagecoach Road. This is a
favorite stop for lunch, dinner or just
to stretch your legs. This charming and
rustic tavern was the first stagecoach stop
between Santa Barbara and Solvang up
until 1901. Spend a few minutes there
and you can feel the history of the tavern,
imagining all of the weary travelers who
have stopped to freshen up and have a
meal while sitting in front of one of the
three glowing fireplaces. Nowadays, you
can nosh on their famous home-baked
molasses bread, wild game-inspired en-
Road Trip to Solvang trees, or chili. If you happen to be passing
through on a weekend morning, home-
California’s Little Denmark made biscuits are a must.
Continuing on to the backside of
Solvang, you pass the sometimes full and
sometimes low Lake Cachuma, a recre-
Story and photos by Robin Dohrn Simpson ation area for boaters and outdoorsmen.
Rumor has it that the fishing conditions
he pandemic has been going on for reminiscent of a Hans Christian Andersen are great and many people enjoy camping
almost two years now, planes are storybook. The village is dotted with bak- here year-round. The Santa Ynez and San
Tcanceling flights, trains are delayed, eries, restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and Rafael Mountains flank the lake showing
restaurants are closed and it is hard to find unique specialty shops of clothing, home- us why they call it the Golden State. Take
food. Nevertheless, intrepid Americans wares, and gourmet foods. Just to add the your time and enjoy this drive.
are not going to be swayed from traveling. California flavor to the town, you will find Solvang is one village in a cluster of
We are just redefining how we travel and the Mission Santa Ynez, one of the original villages with names like Buellton, Los
for now, we are going to get in our cars 21 missions near the center of town and Olivos, Los Alamos, Ballard, Rancho Los
and drive. That way we can feel safe and in fully restored. You could even enjoy mass Olivos, Santa Ynez,
control. Solvang is a short five or so hours on Sunday if you are so inclined.
from San Diego, depending on traffic of Restaurants
course. Getting to Solvang One of the fun things about Solvang and
Solvang, just over 100 years old, was Just five hours from San Diego, there the surrounding area is the wide assort-
founded by a group of Danes in search of are two ways to arrive from the south. ment of restaurants and food choices.
a milder climate than that of the Mid- If you are pressed for time, take the fast Here are three favorites.
west. Translated to “Sunny Fields” it has and straightforward Highway 101, but Paula’s Pancake House in Solvang
established itself as a Danish community if you want a bit of an adventure and to village is home to their famous Danish
with architecture throughout the village see some beautiful scenery, take Highway pancakes. Since 1986 this restaurant has

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