Solvang, California | |
|---|---|
 .jpg)  .jpg) .JPG) Top: Tivoli Square, Petersen Village Inn; middle: Mission Santa Inés; bottom: Solvang windmill, Bethania Church | |
 Flag | |
| Nickname: Danish Capital of America | |
 Location in Santa Barbara County and the state of California | |
  Solvang Location in the United States  Solvang Solvang (California)  Solvang Solvang (the United States) | |
| Coordinates: 34°35′38″N 120°8′23″W / 34.59389°N 120.13972°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Santa Barbara |
| Incorporated | May 1, 1985[1] |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Charles Uhrig[2] |
| • State Senator | Monique Limón (D)[3] |
| • CA Assembly | Gregg Hart (D)[3] |
| • U.S. Congress | Salud Carbajal (D)[4] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.43 sq mi (6.28 km2) |
| • Land | 2.42 sq mi (6.28 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0.05% |
| Elevation | 505 ft (154 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 6,126 |
| • Density | 2,500/sq mi (980/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−08:00 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−07:00 (PDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 93463-93464 |
| Area code | 805 |
| FIPS code | 06-72576 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1661468, 2411925 |
| Website | www |
Solvang (/ˈsɒlvæŋ/;[8] Danish for "sunny field") is a city in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Located in the Santa Ynez Valley, the population was 6,126 at the 2020 census, up from 5,245 at the 2010 census. Solvang was founded in 1911[8] and incorporated as a city on May 1, 1985.[1][9] Solvang has been described as "The Danish Capital of America".[10][11]
Solvang's origins date back to 1804, when Mission Santa Inés was founded by the Spanish under Esteban Tápis. A small community grew up around the mission called "Santa Inés" during the Mexican period, but it was largely abandoned after the American Conquest of California. In 1911, a new settlement was founded around the mission by a group of Danish Americans who purchased 9,000 acres (3,600 ha) of the surrounding Rancho San Carlos de Jonata, to establish a Danish community far from Midwestern winters. The community began building Danish-themed architecture in 1947, and has since become a tourist destination.[12] The community attracts tourists from Nordic countries, and has been the subject of several Danish royal visits including Prince Henrik in 2011.[13] A minority of residents in the 21st century are of Danish origin.[13]
- ^ a b "California Cities by Incorporation Date". California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions. Archived from the original (Word) on November 3, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ "City Council". City of Solvang. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
- ^ a b "Statewide Database". UC Regents. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
- ^ "California's 24th Congressional District - Representatives & District Map". Civic Impulse, LLC. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Solvang". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- ^ "Solvang (city) QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
- ^ a b "The Extraordinary History of Solvang, California". Elverhøj Museum of History and Art. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ "City of Solvang". Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ "Official Visitor Guide For Solvang". Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ Dale, Judith (March 7, 2020). "1920s Solvang - Becoming Danish Capital of America". Santa Maria Times. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ Knudsen, Britta (2010). Re-investing authenticity: tourism, place and emotions. Bristol Buffalo: Channel View Publications. pp. 93–106. ISBN 978-1-84541-129-9. OCLC 647884675.
- ^ a b Bemis, Dave (June 12, 2011). "Solvang welcomes Danish royalty". Santa Maria Times. Retrieved December 9, 2020.