Solvang, California, Nominated for 2026 USA TODAY 10 BEST Readers' Choice Awards

The storybook village is up for 'Best Small Town in the West' and 'Best Small Town Food Scene' categories

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Solvang, California, known as 'The Danish Capital of America,' has been nominated for two categories in the 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards - 'Best Small Town in the West' and 'Best Small Town Food Scene.' Voting is open to the public from March 2 to March 30, 2026, with the winners to be announced on April 8, 2026.

Why it matters

Solvang has been recognized as a top small town destination in the past, winning the 'Best Small Town in the West' category in 2025 and placing 5th in 'Best Small Town Food Scene' that same year. These nominations highlight Solvang's continued appeal as a unique, Danish-inspired travel destination on the California Central Coast.

The details

Solvang, with a population of around 6,000, is known for its Danish-American architecture, pastries, wine tasting, boutique shopping, and diverse dining options ranging from elevated street food to MICHELIN-honored restaurants. The town has been nominated for USA TODAY 10BEST awards in the past, including 'Best Historic Small Town' and 'Best Small Town Cultural Scene.'

  • Voting for the 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards opened on March 2, 2026 at 12 Noon EST.
  • Voting will run through Monday, March 30, 2026 at 11:59 AM EDT.
  • The top 10 winners in each category will be announced on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 12:00 Noon EDT.

The players

City of Solvang

The city of Solvang, California, founded by Danish-Americans in 1911 and incorporated in 1985, is known as 'The Danish Capital of America' and offers a taste of Denmark in Southern California.

USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards

A travel and lifestyle awards program run by USA TODAY that features up to 20 nominees in various contest categories, with the winners selected by public online voting.

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What they’re saying

“Questions, media requests for interviews and/or photos related to this announcement may be directed to Anna Ferguson-Sparks, Stiletto Marketing, at 1-877-327-2656 or solvang@stilettomarketing.com.”

— Anna Ferguson-Sparks, Stiletto Marketing (independent.com)

What’s next

The public can vote once per day, per category, on the USA TODAY 10BEST website until March 30, 2026. The winners will be announced on April 8, 2026.

The takeaway

Solvang's continued recognition as a top small town destination in the USA TODAY 10BEST awards underscores its unique Danish-American charm, diverse dining scene, and appeal as a year-round travel and lifestyle escape on the California Central Coast.