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Feature: Solvang's Marketing
Solvang would be just another
city without the colorful flags, ornately-decorated buildings,
and a commitment to marketing itself as a destination with
something unique--culture. Decades ago this one-of-a-king Danish
community in Central Coast California developed its assets and
ethnicity, then hung on to them and made a decision to fight for
what the locals knew would work.
Less than an hour from one of
California's most recognized beach destination, Santa Barbara,
Solvang is set amongst rolling hills of the the Central Coast.
With no beach nearby, the city's best asset and employer is its
tourism. Solvang has
more hotels than any other city between Santa Barbara and
Pismo Beach, and it does a decent job of keeping the hotel rooms
booked, thanks to some creativity and marketing. While the
village ambience sustains itself mostly, economic conditions,
weather and other factors don't always guarantee a full house.
Solvang's solution has been to keep the event calendar full and
offer tourists enough to do that they keep coming back to
celebrate. Not stuck in the food mode or even Danish Days mode,
however, the events have include bike competitions, motorcycle
rides, and other specialty events to keep the buzz going.
Surrounded by over 30 wineries in the Central Coast wine
country, Solvang's hotel rooms are in the affordable range, and
there are plenty of restaurants serving home-cooked meals,
pastries, desserts, and fast food restaurants on the edge of
town in Buellton. Families love Solvang and so do international
travelers who find the themed city a refreshing side trip off of
Highway 101. My three must do's in Solvang include: visit
the Solvang Mission grounds (free); buy some breakfast pastries
for my dad; and buy a heaping serving of Rotkraut (sweet & sour
red cabbage). Pretty simply stuff, but these are three reasons I
go to Solvang. One of the top reasons lots of you think about,
Chumash Casino is three miles away, featuring not only gambling,
but top name acts in concerts and comedy shows.
Events for March 12, 2009
BERKELEY -
Ladysmith Black
Mambazo Concert. The eight-member group has introduced the
beauties of Zulu harmony to a wide international audience over
the last four decades, recording more than 40 albums and
collaborating with artists ranging from Paul Simon to the
English Chamber Orchestra to Dolly Parton. Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $24 - 46. Location: UC
Berkeley, Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley, CA. Call: (510) 642-9988.
calperformances.org (other Ladysmith performances in California
include March 14 in Santa Rosa, and March 16 in Davis.)
LA QUINTA - La
Quinta Arts Festival. 27th Annual La Quinta Arts Festival is
considered one of Southern California’s premier fine art
celebrations presenting 250 renowned artists. Presented by La
Quinta Arts Foundation, this event includes sculpture, painting,
photography, textile, jewelry, mixed media, and fine craft
complimented by live entertainment, refreshments and free
parking. Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: $12/person; Free/ 12 and
under. Location: La Quinta Civil Center Campus, 78150 Calle
Tampico, La Quinta, CA. Call: (760) 564-1244. LQAF.com
LOS ANGELES -
Pippin, musical. This coming of age story of King Charlemagne's
oldest son features is a fairy tale that captivated audiences on
Broadway. Time 8 p.m. Cost: $72 - 340. Location: Mark Taper
Forum at the Music Center, Center Theatre Group, 135 North Grand
Ave., Los Angeles, CA. musiccenter.org
SAN DIEGO - Rent,
musical. This performance includes two original Broadway stars
of the show, Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp. Time: 7 p.m. Cost:
$18 - 84. Location: Location: San Diego Civic Theatre, 3rd & B
St., San Diego, CA 92101. Call: (619) 570-1100. broadwaysd.com
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