I may have romanticized this festival in my head. I imagined buying a strawberry balloon from a…read morestrawberry mascot... grabbing a strawberry infused lunch from a trendy and innovative food truck... eating a homemade (organic and fresh) strawberry shortcake dessert... Ok, I definitely romanticized it. We walked down a street with standard fair-food options (corn dogs, funnel cake, towering fried foods) before deciding to skip out on lunch. I caved and got the kids a snow cone. I didn't want to pump them full of Red 40, but I was committed to the theme and ordered strawberry syrup. They loved it. I passed several shortcake options but the cake portion was the yellow store-bought circle kind and the strawberries were more of a goop. I found a homemade strawberry shortcake from an adorable little downtown store and it was okay. Not bad, not impressive. It was $7 and I ate about $4.25 of it. The area set aside for families and younger kids was a hit with my 2 and 4 year olds. The green tractor racers was a huge hit and the turns were impressively long. It's a busy festival with lots of people but they have set up many side areas/venues so the crowds are dispersed (to take full advantage of his festival download a map and plan out the music or acts you want to see) Beside my disappointment in the level of strawberriness, it was a solid family outing and the weather was perfect. If you don't have other epic plans, I can't think of a good reason NOT to go.

Signed up for the Strawberry Stampede 10k to kick off our first time visiting the Annual Strawberry…read morefestival. Other than the race, I can't believe how big of a dissapointment it was. The festival was more of a small-scale alternative to the mid-state fair including the same fair vendors, fair food, cheap craft booths with clothing and jewelry from national brands and a few from Fresno. The festival closed down about 4 blocks of streets for vendors, entertainment, and a couple for rides and bounce houses/games. There were a few booths from the same company that offered strawberry lemonade, strawberries with whip cream, and strawberries with angelfood cake. There was another booth that had cheesecake on a stick with strawberries. It seriously the strawberries to non-local gimmicky booths was about 25:1. At least there were a few local vendors offering BBQ sandwiches, but event burrito and Greek vendors were from out of town. Here's how you can make it better: get local restaurants to commit to participating and making an amazing strawberry dish! Ex: strawberry glazed meats, strawberry vinegarette, strawberry pie, strawberry sangria, sooo many options! If you could have closer to a 5:1 ratio of random vendors tobstrawberry vendors and get more local input this event could be amazing. Alternative option: don't call it the strawberry festival.. call it the AG Annual Fair Looked like a lot of the kids had a decent time, but talking with other adults in the area who voiced a similar dissapoitment from years past with no plan to return.

Really good/fresh seafood! Wish they had more seating and sides for the seafood people would…read morepurchase.

The service was friendly and efficient. We sat on the outside patio and we were right on the…read moreharbor. We got a side of the clam chowder. It was delicious. I could just eat that for a meal. My husband had the blackened sea bass. He loved it. Very tender. I had the seafood pasta. Seafood tastes fresh and tender. Too much food. I wish they offered smaller servings.

For what little there is to see and do, I'd really give this a 3, but the event could do with a bit…read moremore love. Also, it's arguably more for kids what with the bounce house and face-painting, but that didn't stop the fact that most of the costumed patrons were adults having a grand ol' time in sparkly wings and Renaissance faire garb. Why I feel it deserves a higher rating, though, is for their resident storyteller, True Thomas. I got to hear a good yarn about a drunk merman who kept the souls of dead sailors in his cabinet, while snacking on treats from Olsen's Bakery down the street. I was quite content. There were a few people who added a bit more to the experience. A man with a large, plush mallet ran about the festival chasing pixies to bonk them on the head, for instance. Truly, the fact that they held this event in Solvang was still a valid excuse for us to have made the drive. We had other places to run off to for Danish food since we weren't quite feeling up for tamales and pizza (the only food options at the faerie festival). It was also quite hot out (102 degrees when we checked), so heading further into town for butter cookies and aebleskivers was a good excuse to get into some A/C for a bit. The pictures on our camera are interspersed with fantasy costumes, windmills, jugglers, plates of meatballs and sausage with red cabbage, Brandon D. getting a dragon painted on his arm, and display cases of pastries. It was a typical visit to Solvang for us, with a bit more whimsy thrown in.

This was a cool little surprise festival that my boy friend and I came across rolling into Solvang…read more There was live shows and entertainment, people were dressed up fairy style, there was food, unique gift booths, and music. I thought it was great for us as a couple to see and i know I saw a lot of families enjoying its as well. Great make believe idea love it.

This was a super fun event! I believe this is the first year for the event (2022) and it was so…read moregreat to see the small community of Buellton offer more activities. Attending this right at the beginning of December really helped get me into the holiday spirit! Lots of people were there. The park had activities, including pictures with Santa, roasting marshmallows, hot chocolate for purchase, a beer garden, and food trucks! Lots of kids running around and families creating memories. It seemed a bit pricey for $25/ticket for 13y/o and up, but they did a great job with the lights and it made for several photo opportunities!

It was a cozy event, wasn't too bad to walk in heels! Great for a date night or a fun little trip…read morewith the family. There were opportunities for photo ops throughout, a couple food trucks, cotton candy booth, hot chocolate station and fires to sit down/warm up near. The field of lit up flowers and the lights that made it look like a river flowing was my favorite part of the walk!

Concerts in the Park happens every July and is sponsored by Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation…read more Hundreds of people bring their blankets and a picnic to enjoy this free music concert series. The setting couldn't be more perfect, as it's located right on Cabrillo Boulevard along the beautiful Santa Barbara waterfront. The concerts go from 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Thursday nights in Chase Palm Park. Dogs are welcome on leash. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the park, but you will see many people drinking wine. There is a policeman walking around, but he turns a blind eye as long as no one is causing trouble. It's a relaxing way to enjoy our beautiful city, chill with friends, and listen to good live music.

Every summer I venture out to something we locals dub "concerts in the park"…read more aKa free fun with lots of people you love and hate to see in one place with great music and odd picnic etiquette Each week is a different band, all of which kick butt! Ranging from Stevie Nicks cover bands, to funk, to Cuban soul, you just never know what the week will bring. Besides the people you are with the two beat parts are the people watching (you will know what I mean when you go) AND the evening sunsets with the beach breeze. Can't get better than a free concert on a summer night in the American Riviera.

Such a fun annual event! Nestled right in the heart of Buellton once a year on Avenue of the Flags…read more Easy to walk to from most anywhere in town. They block off a lot of the road, so there's a fair amount of space to maneuver. They've got drinks, rides, and tons of food vendors! It's a multi-day event. Great opportunity to gather with friends/family and enjoy the local community!

Solvang Farmer Pumpkin patch is absolutely perfect. The parking is free & the entrance is free…read more They are so many pumpkins too choose from and so many in perfect condition. Great prices and they have a corn maze $10. They also sale Kettle Corn and Waters. If you finish the corn maze and find all the Signs you get a prize. We sure finished it and found all signs. We showed proof and the staff was nice enough to show us our prize a mini pumpkin (how cute). we had such an amazing time.

The pumpkin patch is charming! I felt the maze was quite expensive! There's no shade offered…read moreanywhere so even though we wanted to hangout more, there was no place to do so. They had a lot of pumpkins in all sizes! The staff were friendly! I wish they would have thoroughly explained how everything works when we first arrived. PS-the maze is definitely a challenge!

GREAT beer festival -- I see why all the 5 star reviews. Our 2nd year coming up from Los Angeles…read more Some people take the Amtrak Surfliner as it drops off very close -- but we did the 80min drive as we stayed over for the night and made a weekend out of it. So many options for beer and since it's right next to the beach on a large grass field, it's cooler than you'd think even in the summer. They don't advertise it but it's doggie friendly too! Also, you can bring beach chairs in and find a spot (if you get here early enough) under one of their shady trees. They have about 5-6 food trucks as well as vendors selling beef jerky, popcorn, and vintage clothes. Large stage with a mix of live music and DJ's. (Reggae band was our favorite in 2025). Lines were pretty short all day -- so they really did everything right and we'll certainly be back next year!

I love love surf n suds , best beers and beautiful beach ! I love that they recomend the train !!…read moreI have been attending this festival for many years ! We take the train from Oxnard to Carpenteria ! It happens every year in august , everyone one even the vendors are very friendly and fun !!! THERES GAMES , pictures , food , dancing , music and so many flavors of alcohol beverages!! For all you beer drinkers , Everyone MUST GO !! Make it YOUR tradition ! You will love it !