A Guide to Visiting Solvang, CA, Like a Celebrity

Just two hours north of Los Angeles lies the charming Danish town of Solvang, CA. Founded by a group of Danish immigrants in 1911, the storybook-like city is arguably one of California's best-kept secrets. However, thanks to the growing number of celebrity sightings there, the word is getting out.

I first found out about Solvang when I was watching an episode of "Vanderpump Rules." In 2018, the cast took a two-day girls' trip to the city, where they went wine tasting, horseback riding, and learned all about its Danish origins. A couple years later, I stopped by a Solvang ostrich farm during a quick trip to Los Alamos after seeing it on an episode of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."

Since then, I've always wanted to make an official trip to see what the hype is all about, and I was finally able to recently. Unfortunately, I didn't see any celebrities during my weekend visit, but apparently Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were spotted in the town not too long ago.

Ahead, check out a complete guide to how to visit Solvang like a celebrity.

I checked in to the Scandinavian-inspired Landsby boutique hotel for my weekend stay in Solvang. The cast of "Vanderpump Rules" stayed there in 2018, and it's easy to see why they chose it. The hotel is modern; the rooms are super spacious (I stayed in the luxury king); it has a cute little gift shop; and the bar at Mad & Vin is definitely the place to be at night, seeing as the town pretty much shuts down at 9 p.m. Not to mention, the hotel is in the heart of Solvang, so you can pretty much walk everywhere from there. You can relive the cast's trip by watching episodes 10, 11, and 12 of "Vanderpump Rules" season seven.

The Solvang Bakery might just be the most star-studded place in town. If the name doesn't sound familiar, chances are you've probably seen the elaborate gingerbread houses Kris Jenner gifts her family from the bakery every year. According to Melissa Redell, co-owner of the Solvang Bakery, in addition to the Kardashian-Jenner family, celebrity clients include Kelly Ripa, Billie Eilish, Vanessa Lachey, and couple Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, who previously gifted a gingerbread house to Elton John and David Furnish. "We did a wedding cake for one of [Billie Eilish's] friends," Redell reveals. "We didn't even realize it until we saw it on [her Instagram]."

The Danish bakery carries everything from pastries to cupcakes and cookie decorating kits, but of course, they're most famous for their one-of-a-kind gingerbread houses, which people start placing orders for in July (the gingerbread houses range in price from $300 to $3,000). "Kris usually buys them for all her kids and for herself," Redell adds. "And then they started branching out and buying them for other people."

Alisal Ranch is truly a private sanctuary for stars to escape and unplug. It offers a bevy of experiences, from golf to horseback riding to fishing. "Most major TV shows that you can think of, that person has been here," Lia Barth, Alisal Ranch marketing and communications manager, tells POPSUGAR. "This was very much a destination for Old Hollywood."

Barth says that stars from shows like "Lost" and "Glee" have stayed at the ranch, as well as Walt Disney, Barbra Streisand, Kevin Costner, John Travolta, and Clark Gable, who got married to Lady Sylvia Ashley in Alisal's old library. "Downton Abbey" star Allen Leech also wed Jessica Blair Herman at the ranch in 2019, and according to Barth, Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams scouted the location for their wedding, but ultimately decided to go with Sunstone Winery.

Recently visited by the cast of "Jersey Shore: Family Vacation," the High Roller Tiki Lounge is not your average tiki bar. It specializes in unique wine cocktails inspired by classic tiki drinks (the Mango Monsoon was my personal favorite), and you'll immediately feel like you've been transported to Hawaii upon walking in. Owner Michael Cobb says locals Pink and Carey Hart are big fans of the micheladas, and Katy Perry apparently once walked in and gave an impromptu performance. The High Roller Tiki Lounge is featured in episode seven of "Jersey Shore: Family Vacation" season six.

There are plenty of cute shops around town, but Pebble People is apparently one of Billie Eilish's favorites. The 43-year-old store specializes in handcrafted clocks, jewelry, music boxes, and more.

Located inside Copenhagen House, the Solvang Viking Museum features a sweeping collection of Viking artifacts obtained by owner René Gross Kærskov over the years. Its archeological finds include swords dating back over 1,000 years, an impressive amber collection, and a giant sculpture of the Danish mythical hero Holger Danske. The museum is also home to the throne featured in 2022's "The Northman" starring Alexander Skarsgård, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Nicole Kidman.

I concluded my trip by grabbing breakfast at Solvang Restaurant, which is famous for its delicious Aebleskivers and was featured in the 2004 movie "Sideways." Definitely a must try!