This Is the Best Place to Celebrate Christmas in California-and It Has Fairy-tale Vibes and European Architecture

"A European-style Christmas is the quintessential holiday celebration. Picturesque, Baroque architecture under a dusting of snow, bustling outdoor markets, festive foods and drinks-is there a better way to experience the most wonderful time of the year?"

""Solvang is that destination for people that really want that European Christmas vibe," says Anna Ferguson-Sparks, media liaison for Solvang USA and a resident of the town since 2012. "It's one of the couple of times a year when the village is at its most magical. It's like this escape to another country, but you're still in a Southern California climate.""

"Though I've visited at various times of the year, there's nothing quite like Solvang during the holidays. Part of it has to do with Solvang's fairytale-like appearance-after all, the downtown shops and restaurants already look like something straight out of a Christmas story. But that's just the start of the seasonal spirit here. Smells of sweet treats like aebleskiver (Danish pancake balls) and gingerbread waft through the air from bakeries like Olsen's Danish Village Bakery and Mortensen's Danish Bakery."

Solvang, a Danish-founded town on California's Central Coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco, recreates a European-style Christmas with Baroque-inspired architecture and seasonal decorations. The town lies in wine country and hosts attractions including Mission Santa Inés and the kooky Ostrichland USA. Man-made snowfall and festive outdoor markets transform Solvang into a winter wonderland during the holidays. Local bakeries fill the air with aebleskiver and gingerbread aromas while shops display nutcrackers and traditional toys. Hans Christian Andersen Park provides a backdrop for family photos and holiday events. The village atmosphere offers a fairytale-like escape while maintaining a mild Southern California climate.

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