Only 45 minutes from Santa Barbara, Solvang is a charming Danish village in the Santa Ynez Valley. The fall is a perfect time to visit– the weather is sublime and the town is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Solvang was named by Time Magazine “The Most Christmas-y Town in America”. We like to stay at the Wine Valley Inn & Cottages (www.winevalleyinn.com) for its spectacular downtown location– we walked to many of the area’s top restaurants and attractions and distinctive Danish shopping and dining are only a few short steps outside. Don’t miss lunch on the sunny and scenic terrace at the nearby Greenhouse Café-A Nordic Bistro (www.greenhousesolvang.com) which is gracefully run by owners Aaron and Elsemarie Petersen (a native of Denmark). The Greenhouse Cafe serves casual, fresh Danish and American cuisine with a cheerful and smiling staff of high school and college students from the area. For dessert head to the Petersen’s delightful Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates ((www.ingeborgs.com) where they make delicious Danish chocolates by hand. Outdoor activities span golf to boating but we liked the wine tasting most. Solvang has a vast collection of local wineries and visiting tasting rooms is a popular pastime. Visit Sevtap Winery right next door to the Wine Valley Inn to taste their intriguing varietals with owner Art Sevtap (www.sevtapwinery.com).