Solvang (Danish for "sunny fields") is beautifully situated in the Santa Ynez valley of Santa Barbara county, California. It was founded by Danish immigrants in the early 20th century.

According to some estimates, between 1850 and 1930 as many as one in ten Danes emigrated, most coming to the United States. In 1906, a group of these immigrants began working to create a new Danish colony on the west coast. In 1910 they formed the Danish-American Colony Company in San Francisco and on January 23, 1911, the town of Solvang was founded on 9,000 acres of land in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Initially, most of Solvang's buildings were built in the same style as others in the area. But after World War II, interest grew in the concept of a "Danish Village". In the mid-40’s older buildings were given a new look, adding facades in so-called "Danish Provincial" style, creating a Danish atmosphere in the town center.

Solvang is a major California tourist attraction thanks in part to its Danish Provincial architectural remake. Tourism began in earnest following a 1947 feature article in the Saturday Evening Post and today over one million visitors annually enjoy the Danish windmills, the half-timbered houses, and the many restaurants and pastry shops specializing in Danish cuisine. (Wikipedia)