08/26/2026
Between eating pastries while wandering streets lined with Danish architecture and hand-feeding ostriches, a trip to Solvang is – to say the least – a deviation from “normal.” Just 90 minutes from San Luis Obispo, this small Santa Barbara County community boasts a Scandinavian-style retreat not far from home.
Words by Aja Goare
Photos by DJ Michelic
A star of the film “Sideways,” the iconic Hitching Post 2 & Winery is a near halfway point between Buellton and Solvang.
Celebrating its fortieth anniversary, the beloved steakhouse is known for its variety of Santa Maria style barbecued meats.
“My favorite is the ribs,” says Angel Carmona, the restaurant’s general manager. “They go over an open fire to bring out full flavor. We’re purists. We don’t put sauce on the meats, that comes on the side. We want you to taste the full flavor the meat.”
For those looking to keep dinner close to home, guests at The Sideways Inn needn’t look further than The Sideways Lounge.
while bartenders concoct delicious cocktails with unusual ingredients like rhubarb and peach bitters, passionfruit and lychee puree.
There on the same property, Food & Beverage Corporate Director Karoline Schwartz serves sausages and hand-cut Belgian fries from a charming airstream.
Read the full article “Scandinavia on the Central Coast” on Edibleslo.com
