Ostrichland USA
Solvang, which I visited during the Memorial Day holiday, is a small town located in California known for its unique experience of Danish culture and architecture. If you go to Solvang, there is one more place I would like to introduce, and that is Ostrichland USA. This ostrich farm is located within a 10-minute drive from Solvang, making it a great stop along the way.
There are over 100 ostriches here, and for an admission fee of $7 per adult, you can purchase $1 worth of ostrich feed to experience feeding the ostriches yourself. After buying the feed and entering, I saw a lot of ostriches, and when I extended the feed bowl, they rushed at it aggressively and started eating. Their behavior was more aggressive than I expected, making me confused about whether they were trying to eat the feed or attack my hand. In fact, while feeding the ostriches, one of them pecked my brother’s hand slightly; it didn’t hurt, but it could be dangerous for children, so caution is advised.
The ostriches up close were really big and fast, and their feet were especially large, making them look somewhat dinosaur-like, which was both fascinating and a bit scary. Another amusing sight was the dancing ostrich. Suddenly, one ostrich sat down, spread its wings, and swayed its neck from side to side as if it were dancing. Later, I found out that this is a courtship dance performed by ostriches that are ready to mate. If you visit Solvang, it would be great to stop by this ostrich farm where you can directly feed the ostriches.
610 E Hwy 246, Solvang, CA 93463
Ostrichland USA
The Danish Capital of America
After leaving Ostrichland USA, we moved on to Solvang. I thought there wouldn’t be many people since it was Memorial Day, but I was surprised to see so many people enjoying Solvang.
After parking, we slowly walked around Solvang and felt as if we had stepped into a village in Denmark, with its Danish-style windmills, half-timbered buildings, and Gothic-style churches.
In Solvang, there are various attractions such as wineries, boutique shops, bakeries, and restaurants. Below, I would like to introduce some places we visited in Solvang.
Copenhagen Sausage Garden
The Copenhagen Sausage Garden, where we went for lunch, is a place where you can taste Danish Rod Polse and 11 different sausages from around the world. We arrived right at opening time and could see that many people were already in line, confirming its popularity. We ordered the Sausage Sampler (4 types), French Fries, an extra bread, and drinks of cola and lemonade.
We ordered Rod Polse, Bratwurst, Kielbasa, and All Beef Frank, with the longest and reddest sausage being the Danish Rod Polse. Overall, the sausages were not salty and could be paired with various sauces, making them very delicious, especially when putting the sausage in the bread. Although it’s a familiar taste, the French Fries were freshly made, crispy, and incredibly tasty, so I think it’s a must to order them together.
Copenhagen Sausage Garden
Solvang Restaurant
After enjoying the sausages, we walked around to digest and saw many people eating Aebleskiver in front of the restaurant, so we naturally joined the line.
Aebleskiver is a traditional Danish dessert that resembles small, round pancakes topped with powdered sugar and jam, with the option to add ice cream. The taste was similar to pancakes but with a softer texture, and it paired perfectly with the raspberry jam on top. Especially when eaten with vanilla ice cream, it was impossible not to enjoy it, and I was glad I added it. I think it might have tasted a bit bland if I hadn’t added the ice cream.
Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery
Finally, I went to Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery among numerous bakeries to buy Danish pastries, and this place offered a variety of Danish pastries.
It was a busy place with a long line, but surprisingly, the line moved quickly. We chose Apricot, Strawberry, Cheese, and Raspberry Danish, and while I thought they were tasty, I didn’t feel they were anything particularly special. Still, since Solvang is famous for its pastries, I recommend trying them at least once.
Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery
Visit Solvang, a charming travel destination where traditional Danish elements harmonize with modern aspects, allowing you to experience Danish culture and beautiful scenery.
