This SoCal town was just named “best in the west” in a new ranking

Cue the windmills and Danish pastries. Solvang, a tiny SoCal town with major storybook vibes, just snagged the title “Best in the West” in a new USA Today ranking focusing on small towns in the region.

Set in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County (about a two-hour drive from L.A., give or take some traffic on the 101), Solvang topped the ranking given its quaint charm, Scandinavian-inspired flair and small-town magic. The newspaper’s 10Best list was compiled with input from an expert panel and reader votes, spotlighting towns with fewer than 25,000 residents that pack a big punch when it comes to food, culture and vibe.

The day trip destination’s main claim to fame is its heavy dose of Danish heritage—picture half-timbered buildings, old-world bakeries serving aebleskiver and actual windmills dotting the town square. Highlights include the kitschy yet charming Red Viking Restaurant and the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art, a tribute to the town’s Nordic heritage.

Solvang is also home to its own outpost of the Hans Christian Andersen Museum. While the famous author’s home is in Denmark, Solvang is the site of a whole museum dedicated to the mind behind The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina and The Ugly Duckling. Located inside a charming bookshop, this cozy spot pays homage to Denmark’s literary legend and his fairy tale legacy.

If the town name rings a bell, that’s because Solvang also earned national love last year as the second-best Christmas town in the U.S. (and number one in California), according to Newsweek. Apparently, this little enclave knows how to sleigh the holiday season and serve up Euro-style charm year-round.

Solvang wasn’t the only California darling to make the list, either. Healdsburg, a Sonoma County gem, ranked third, thanks to its farm-to-table food scene, award-winning wineries and walkable downtown, perfect for sipping and strolling. (Healdsburg also earned props last year as a top U.S. Christmas town, making it a festive double-threat alongside Solvang.)

Here are the best small towns in the West according to USA Today:

1. Solvang, California

2. Astoria, Oregon

3. Healdsburg, California

4. Cody, Wyoming

5. Grants, New Mexico

6. Sedona, Arizona

7. Bigfork, Montana

8. Breckenridge, Colorado

9. Jackson, Wyoming

10. Moab, Utah