Long Weekend in Solvang | 長週末到美西丹麥小鎮

During the July 4th long weekend, we drove from San Diego to Solvang, and hit many spots along the route. Solvang isn’t too big, and slow-paced enough for a weekend getaway. Parking is quite convenient and free, even with the long weekend crowd. We stayed at a lodging on a nearby Air Force Base.

---

Day One

Our original plan was to leave the house by 8 am, but decided to sleep in a little more. By the time we got to our first stop, San Juan Capistrano, it was almost noon.

Sundried Tomato

31781 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Outdoor seating is spacious, perfect for enjoying lunch in California’s nice weather. Lunch specials are a good deal!

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Ticket: $14 (include multi-media guided tour)

Founded in 1776, Mission San Juan Capistrano was the 7th Spanish mission built in California. The multi-media guide has a lot of wonderful explanations of the history of the mission. I hope to visit other missions in California.

Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream

What unique ice cream flavors! We picked Faloodeh, Saffron with pistachio, and Date! Pro tip: add some lemon juice!

Griffith Observatory

Wanted to hike here, but my condition wasn’t optimal for strenuous activities, so we visited the observatory instead. The obsera houses the most visited telescope in the world. Come and be a part of Guiness World Record!

---

Day Two

Solvang is a small town perfect for exploring on foot. Nicknamed Little Denmark in USA, Solvang is decorated with Danish architectures, windmills, and various museums.

Solvang Windmill

A must visit place. Easy to spot, and in close proximity to many popular restaurants nearby.

Solvang Restaurant

1672 Copenhagen Dr #2759, Solvang, CA 93463

People line up early in the morning for the world famous Abelskiver (be sure to ask the locals how to pronounce it). Goes really well with raspberry sauce, but is it worth the hour long wait? You be the judge!

Hans Christian Andersen Museum

1680 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

Hans Christian is the creator of many familiar childhood stories, including Little Mermaid! Museum is on the second floor above the bookstore. Pays a lot of tribute to Hans Christian’s works and his life. The only downside is the museum doesn’t have an elevator or escalator.

Old Mission Santa Ines 1804

1760 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

Compared to Mission San Juan Capistrano, it’s much quieter here. Self-guided tour is provided here.

Lincourt Vineyards

Solvang is also known for wine tasting. Why is a pregnant lady visiting a vineyard, you might ask? UN wondered the same thing too. We had a nice late afternoon stroll in the vineyard, perhaps next time we can bring our babies back with us.

Industrial Eats

UN found this restaurant on Yelp, their Beef Tongue Pastrami is a must order! Pizzas are wonderful too! They also offer fresh raw oysters, but too bad I was not able to enjoy them this time.

Ostrichland USA

Hard to associate a Danish town with ostriches, but if you google Solvang, you will definitely not want to miss this place. I came here with no expectations, but UN thought we would see free-range ostriches roaming in the open pasture. It wasn’t exactly that, but we had a lot of fun. I got scared by the ostriches when trying to feed them, but UN had a blast closely interacting with them. Tip: bring close-toed shoes, or prepare for your feet to get really dirty.

---

Day Three

We had plans for a few other places to visit on our third day, but we were too hungry. Ended up standing in line for 2 hours for a really popular breakfast/brunch place. Breakfast was meh, a bit disappointed, maybe because we waited too long. After breakfast we headed back to San Diego. We met up with UN’s college friend on the way back. What a relaxing long weekend!

長週末時，我們從聖地牙哥開車到丹麥小鎮（Solvang）。沿途經過一些清單上的景點，趁這次旅行順路參觀。Solvang不大，步調也不快，非常適合長週末來。停車方便，有幾個免費停車場，路上也有許多停車格，即使長週末也很好找到停車位。我們的住宿則是住在附近的空軍基地（Vandenberg Space Force Base），我就不在此介紹。

---

第一天

原先預計八點前出門，但實在很想睡飽在出門（預料之中），我們到San Juan Capistrano已經快中午了。

Sundried Tomato

31781 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

室外用餐區空間非常大，完全能享受到加州的好天氣，當然大部分的人都坐在外面用餐。中午有提供套餐，經濟實惠！

Mission San Juan Capistrano

門票：$14（含多媒體導覽）

起源1776年，是西班牙人在加州第七個駐點的mission。透過導覽能學到許多創立過程，希望之後能到加州不同的mission參觀。

Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream

好特別的冰淇淋口味！我們選了Faloodeh、Saffron with pistachio、Date，店員推薦能加點檸檬汁！

Griffith Observatory

原先想來這爬山，但這天我的狀況不太適合，所以改為到天文台參觀。這裡有全世界最多人使用的天文望遠鏡，看了你就是金氏世界紀錄一部份！

---

第二天

Solvang非常適合步行欣賞這個小鎮，丹麥建築、風車、博物館。沿路走走停停參觀這些不同景點，有幾個地方是我們特別喜歡。

Solvang Windmill

必看景點！非常好找，也在許多有名的餐廳附近。

Solvang Restaurant

1672 Copenhagen Dr #2759, Solvang, CA 93463

一大早已經大排長龍！大家都特別來這裡買這裡的著名甜點Abelskiver，配上覆盆子醬還不錯，但至於值不值得排將近一小時的隊伍，不方便說！

Hans Christian Andersen Museum

1680 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

你沒看錯，就是最近許多人在討論的小美人魚也是他的作品！博物館位在書店二樓，雖然不大，但有許多安徒生的介紹。唯一缺點是沒有電梯或手扶梯到博物館，需要走樓梯上樓。

Old Mission Santa Ines 1804

1760 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

比起第一天參觀的Mission San Juan Capistrano，這裡安靜許多。風景是一片葡萄酒園。這裡有提供自由導覽！

Lincourt Vineyards

來Solvang就是要來酒莊品酒。懷孕的我當然不能喝，UN也很傻眼我竟然把這行程排進去。我兩只能在這走走聊天，等下次帶寶寶們來好了！

Industrial Eats

181 Industrial Way, Buellton, CA 93427

UN意外找到的餐廳，絕對要點Beef Tongue Pastrami，比薩也很推！這裡也有一些海鮮生食，可惜我吃不了。

Ostrichland USA

610 E Hwy 246, Solvang, CA 93463

實在是很難聯想丹麥小鎮和鴕鳥有關係，上網查丹麥小鎮必去的景點，這裡是大家必推的點。我帶著完全沒有興奮的心情配上UN以為能和鴕鳥在大草原奔跑的想法到Ostrich World，我們在這玩的很開心。餵食鴕鳥時，我狂被鴕鳥嚇；UN好開心能近距離看鴕鳥。切記：穿包鞋，不然腳會超髒。

第三天

原本第三天還有安排幾個景點作為尾聲，但我們太餓，吃飯勝過看景點。我們去當地很有名的早餐店，排隊人潮湧不斷。不知道是不是等太久，但早餐有點普通，失落感有點強烈。吃完我們就往回聖地牙哥方向開，順道與UN的大學好友見面，結束這長週末。

2022 June List | 2022 六月清單

We bid farewell to Okinawa. I’m grateful for our friends who threw us a going away party, and even sent us off at the airport. Three years in Okinawa flew by, and we made so many great friends here that made our life in Okinawa eventful! We’ve been back in California for 3 weeks now, and the sun here hasn’t been very kind, almost making me miss the cool rainy days during our last few weeks in Okinawa.

我們離開沖繩了！謝謝朋友們對我們這麼好，不但幫我們辦歡送會，還來機場送我們。回憶起在沖繩的這三年，能在沖繩認識這麼多好朋友，讓我們的生活過的精彩！我們現在搬來加州，這裡的太陽對我們實在很不客氣！突然有點想念離開沖繩前一直下雨的日子。

Little Lapin | Lapin 小車

Selling my beloved Lapin really hit me that we were actually leaving Okinawa. When we first moved here, I immediately fell in love with the look of Lapin! The resale value on my car was great too! We got numerous interested buyers moments after we posted it online. Thank you for serving us so well the last three years, going everywhere in Okinawa with us, and letting us find precious parking spots along the Seawall. I love you and will miss you dearly Lapin!

哎，真的是要和沖繩說再見了。賣掉我的沖繩愛車那剎那，好心疼！到沖繩時，我一看到這台Lapin小車，立刻愛上！轉賣價錢也非常優秀，我們放上網賣車時，竟然出乎意料的收到一堆訊息。謝謝Lapin小車對我們這麼好，帶我們整個沖繩跑透透，還能在好擁擠的Seawall能找到車位。我愛你，Lapin小車！

TJ Tacos

802 E Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025
http://www.tj-tacos.com/

Every time we arrive in San Diego, the first meal is always Mexican food! If you’ve never had tacos in San Diego, you’ve never been to San Diego. The tacos here are Baja California style, my favorite type of Mexican food. In Northern San Diego, our go-to is TJ Tacos. Here you will find grilled tortilla overstuffed with meat, cilantro, and drenched in salsa; getting your hands dirty and making a mess is the respectful thing to do. Horchata and soda are perfect companions for your tacos. Our favorite meats are: carne asada, adobada, and langua.

每次回來聖地牙哥，第一站絕對是吃墨西哥食物！來San Diego沒吃tacos就等於沒來過！這裡的tacos大部分是Baja style，也是我們最愛的墨西哥食物之一。北邊聖地牙哥，我們的最愛絕對是TJ Tacos滿滿的肉和醬汁把手弄的油膩膩是吃tacos的基本禮儀（哈哈哈），horchata和汽水是必點飲料。我們每次會點的肉類：asada, adobada, lengua.

Joe’s Crab Shack

314 Harbor Dr, Oceanside, CA 92054
http://www.joescrabshack.com/locations/10159/

After eating king crabs in Hokkaido, we continue to eat crabs here in the US. Not as juicy and tender as in Japan, but the Old Bay seasoning is mouth watering enough. Outside of the restaurant is a harbor lined with sailboats and yachts. Taking a leisurely stroll along the piers and soaking in the Vitamin D from California sunshine is a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. Be sure to put on adequate sunscreen!

在日本吃螃蟹，回來美國繼續吃螃蟹！雖然不像日本這麼鮮嫩多汁，但吃到old bay口味的海鮮煮法還是讓我們流口水。餐廳外面排著滿滿的帆船，吃飽後在附近走走享受加州陽光（記得擦防曬），舒服極了。

Shancheng Lameizi Hot Pot | 山城辣妹子

4225 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
http://www.shanchenglameizi.com/

Convoy Street is the Asian kitchen of San Diego. I used to come here with my upperclassmen when I was in college here. This time, we came with our family to challenge the spicy hot pot, but we were left defeated, by even the least spicy level. There is an all-you-can-eat dessert bar for you to rest your overworked palette before you get back into the fight. The purple rice porridge is definitely my favorite!

聖地牙哥的Convoy St.聚集一堆亞洲美食，我在大學時學長學姊常帶我們來這裡覓食。這次和家人來吃麻辣火鍋，竟然被小辣打敗！在山城辣妹子，中場休息時有無限甜點解辣，紫米粥絕對是最吸引我的部分！

SoCal Trip: Pioneertown, Salvation Mountain, Joshua Tree NP | 南加州沙漠遊

(1 month late post) We took my in-laws and drove 2 1/2 hours from San Diego to Palm Springs. Take caution of the dry heat of the dessert, be sure to apply adequate sunscreen and stay hydrated. 

遲了一個月的文章）從聖地牙哥開車帶公婆來棕櫚泉玩（Palm Springs），開車約兩個半小時。南加州天氣熱卻非常乾爽，但小心容易曬傷，記得要勤喝水、擦防曬。

---

Pioneertown, CA

This is not the California you know! In the middle of the dessert lies this hidden gem of a western town. Feels like a cowboy can ride out on his horse anytime. This town was built by a film company back in the 40s to shoot western movies. Rumors has it that a hotel/resort is going to be built here, but no signs of any development in the area. Mane Street is the Main Street in Pioneertown, there are various shops, saloons, and houses there. We visited it on a Monday morning, and seemed like the only places opened were post office and a couple pottery stores. 

Fate has it that we met a local pastor here. He found out we were moving to Okinawa and turned out his son is ex-military and currently lives in Okinawa. After exchanging information, the pastor prayed for our move and blessed us. And btw, he cautioned against coming to this town after sundown. 

這裡絕對不是你想像的加州！西部牛仔情景在此出現，沿路幾乎一片沙漠，感覺隨時牛仔會騎馬出現的地方，其實是片商在40年代為了拍攝影片而蓋。一直有傳言要在這建飯店變度假村，但似乎沒什麼動靜。Mane St. 是Pioneertown唯一大街，可能是週間，僅有郵局和幾家手工品店開著。那天遇到當地牧師聊天後，知道牧師兒子以前也在美軍，現居日本沖繩也很愛衝浪。好巧，我們也剛好要搬到沖繩。交換聯絡方式，方便之後聯絡。牧師也為我們到沖繩的一切禱告，希望能順利平安。對了，牧師說太陽下山後就別來這！

---

Salvation Mountain | 救世主山

This attraction has been on my list since my college days. Artist Leonard Knight created Salvation Mountain based on his encounter with the teachings in the Bible. Bring a few cans of paint for the park keeper to keep this area well maintained so future visitors can still enjoy it. Free admissions, donations accepted. 

距離墨西哥邊界一小時，專程開車來看從大學時期就一直想來的地方！藝術家（Leonard Knight）因接觸聖經而啟發他完成救世主山。來時帶幾筒顏料給管長，讓這地方能繼續保持給更多人參觀。無門票費，自由捐款。

---

Joshua Tree National Park | 約書亞樹國家公園

Home of 200 million Joshua trees. These trees only grow in Southern California, Arizona, and Utah. Before the end of September, every morning at 10 am, there are tour guides at the visitors center teaching about the wildlife that live in this national park. I recommend coming here earlier in the morning so it’s not too hot, then head to the visitors center at 10 am for the talk. 

兩億顆約書亞樹，是南加州、亞利桑那州、猶他州一帶的特別樹種。九月底之前，每天早上10點工作人員會在遊客中心介紹這裡的生態特色。我建議一大早先到國家公園參觀，天氣比較不熱，快10點時再到遊客中心避暑聽工作人員介紹。

---

Originally we didn’t know where to go during our short trip back to California, but UN found a great deal at JW Marriott, so we booked our Palm Springs getaway immediately. Be sure to compare prices online, you may find great deals that you will regret not snatching. 

原本回來加州不確定該到哪玩，但UN找到JW Marriott推出超優惠價格（比四星飯店更便宜），我們二話不說馬上決定到棕櫚泉一帶玩。計畫行程前可以在飯店網站或旅行網比較價錢，有時會推出你不去會哭的價錢！