Santa Ynez may be known for many things, such as hiking trails and horseback riding, but as anyone who has a sweet tooth knows, Solvang is home to some of the best dessert shops in Santa Ynez. Luckily for you, they are conveniently within walking distance of each other and close to Santa Ynez hotels. So you can be sure to get your 10,000 steps in and feel guilt-free!
For the best cupcakes in Santa Ynez look no further. Their cupcakes are wine flavors of course! Our personal favorite is Chocolate Blackberry Syrah. But with over 50+ flavors to choose from, you will have to decide for yourself!
Saarloos and Sons provides cupcake wine pairings with each bite-size cupcake. Enjoy Cupcakes Each week pick 6 flavors of cupcakes to pair with Saarloos and Sons wine or to enjoy on their own. Each cupcake fits perfectly into an egg carton which is the charming way they are packaged if you decide to take them to go. Just the perfect size and amount to yourself or to share with friends. Each cupcake is bite-size and tasty!
Location: 2971 Grand Ave, Los Olivos, CA 93441
Hours: Open Thurs-Mon 11 am-5 pm, Closed Wed + Tues.
2. Solvang Trolley Ice Cream Parlor
For the best ice cream in Santa Ynez ,look no further. This ice cream parlor proudly serves Mc Connell’s brand ice cream- a local favorite and arguably the best ice cream in California. Solvang Trolley Ice Cream Parlor features over 20+ flavors to choose from. There is even a whiskey-flavored ice cream to try on their menu! They also offer traditional parlor favorites such as rootbeer floats, banana splits with all the toppings, and for the health-conscious, real fruit smoothies, no-sugar-added ice cream flavors, and non-dairy sorbet options. Great family atmosphere and good old-fashioned ice cream. You won’t be disappointed.
Location: 1618 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
Hours: Open Wed-Mon 11 am-7 pm, Closed Tuesday.
For the best pastries in Santa Ynez look no further. Known for its decadent desserts and traditional pastries, this bakery is worth the walk (or drive). Hands down their most popular item we are guessing is the Owl-Eye cookies. Made of almond thumbprints and filled with apricot or raspberry jam, they are a crowd-pleaser for children and adults alike. Perfect for a tea party or dessert table. But our favorite pastry is probably the Pistachio Squares. These are very decadent with creamy and delicious pistachio custard layered on buttery shortbread crust and dipped in dark chocolate. Yes, they are dipped in chocolate too. Mortensen’s Danish Bakery is an authentic Danish bakery so as you can imagine there are quite a few shortbread cookies to choose from along with traditional bear claws. Don’t take our word for it, try for yourself and you decide what your favorite is!
Location: 1588 Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
Hours: Open Daily 8 am-6 pm.
For the best pastries in Santa Ynez look no further. Three words; Almond Butter Ring. There is no way you can visit Solvang and not pick one of these up for your stay or take it back with you to share with your loved ones. What stands out most about this Solvang bakery is their use of marzipan. If you are not familiar, here is the literal description; Marzipan is a sweet, yellowish paste of ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites, often colored and used to make small cakes or confections or as icing for larger cakes. Their use of marzipan in their chocolate-dipped tarts, danishes, strudels, handmade chocolates, and cakes is amazing. This is a must-visit on our list. Enjoy.
Location: 438 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463
Hours: Open Daily 7 am-6 pm.
For the best fudge in Santa Ynez look no further. Do you come here for the fudge? Yes. Do you come here for the experience? Yes. We could honestly stand outside their window and watch them hand-make fudge all day. Not only does it smell amazing but is just so delicious and lovely to watch them create. Let’s be honest if you are a fudge purest you will love their dark chocolate-flavored fudge. But there are so many other unique options to choose from. Old Danish Fudge Kitchen has maple pecan fudge, chocolate peanut butter fudge, chocolate raspberry fudge, and Oreo cookie fudge to choose from along with the traditional dark chocolate. The kids will love to see the handmade fudge being made in front of them as much as you will love eating it!
Location: 441 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463
Hours: Open Daily 9 am-7 pm.
For the best cakes in Santa Ynez look no further. Everything tastes better when it is made with love. And we can see the love and care put into every beautiful flavorful cake, cupcake, and cookie. We would also like to mention everything comes in gluten-free options, as well! Now we will warn you, this is not a shop you stop in and pick up goodies unless you have ordered in advance or booked them for catering. But we thought it was worth mentioning considering how beautiful and delicious their yummy sweets are. Bodega Bake Shop is a local favorite and is perfect for special occasions. Amber Stephen is the local owner and pastry chef. She comes from no other than one of our other top 10 choices
Enjoy Cupcakes. She stayed with them for over 7 years before branching out on her venture Bodega Bake Shop. So, you know that the passion, love, and taste of everything is in each bite baked.
Location: 100 Los Padres Way #2, Buellton, CA 93427
Call for Custom Orders and Catering:
(805) 694-8724.
7. Candy World
For the best candy shop in Santa Ynez look no further. Candy World has been around since 1964. There is not a time we can remember that this establishment has not followed us through childhood, and adulthood, and now our children and grandchildren visit this shop with joy. It is a very traditional candy shop known for its saltwater taffy. Wine barrels filled to the rim of candy lined up in bright colors and ready for you to choose your favorites and try new flavors. Just like the old-fashioned candy shops, they weigh your candy and you can buy it in bulk. Start your family tradition and stop by today for the best candy in Santa Ynez.
Location: 1691 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
Hours: Open Daily 10 am-5:30 pm.
For the best chocolate shop in Santa Ynez look no further. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory of Solvang has been around since 1981. Their love and consistency for chocolate have kept the locals and visitors coming back. It is locally owned and always has a welcoming environment. It is also always packed. There is so much to choose from caramel apples and chocolate specialties, but our favorite is the candied orange peels dipped in dark chocolate. We will always stop in for our favorite chocolate treat, even if it is just to take to go! You won’t be disappointed and there is something for everyone at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory of Solvang.
1655 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
Hours: Open Daily 10 am-6 pm, Later hours on Fri + Sat 8 pm.
9. Patti Bakes
For the best desserts in Santa Ynez look no further. Locally owned for over 25 years in Buellton, Patti Wicks bakes for you. This has been a local favorite for over two decades and for good reason. We love that they have a Tres Leches option. If you know, you know. They offer up almost every kind of dessert you can imagine. Bread pudding, cookies, cupcakes, cakes, scones, and even cinnamon rolls to name a few. Be sure to stop in and try out a few options. You won’t be disappointed.
Location: 240 E Hwy 246 #109, Buellton, CA 93427
Hours: Open Daily 730am-3 pm.
Gelato? Crepes? Bubbly? Solvang Flavors has it all! For the best gelato in Santa Ynez look no further. This is a good place if you are looking for sweets and savory dishes. And did we say wine? They also have amazing cheese platters to choose from. But back to the desserts. We recommend you check out their artisan chocolate boxes. They are so decadent and easy to pick up a box to take back with you. So if you are looking for a place to go with a group of friends or family there are options for all and not just for the sweet at heart!
Location: 436 Alisal Rd, Solvang, CA 93463
Hours: Open Daily 11 am-6 pm.
