Solvang: Wine and True Crime Tour with Drinks Included

REVIEW · SOLVANG

Solvang: Wine and True Crime Tour with Drinks Included

  • 4.911 reviews
  • 2 hours
  • From $115
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Operated by The Haunt Ghost Tours · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 4.9 (11)Duration2 hoursPrice from$115Operated byThe Haunt Ghost ToursBook viaGetYourGuide

Solvang turns spooky with wine. This 2-hour Solvang tour from The Haunt Ghost Tours mixes true crime storytelling with tastings in three very different spots, with 1970s serial killer tales, hidden tunnels, and haunted mortuaries threaded into the walk. I especially love how the guide keeps the mood fun while still steering the story, with recent guides like John, Ryan, and Dan standing out for humor and keeping the group engaged. I also love the three-tasting-room format, because it avoids the usual one-and-done wine stop and gives you real variety in what you sip.

One thing to plan for: it involves walking and runs in all weather, so comfortable shoes and warm layers matter. And because it’s 21+ focused, it’s not the right pick if you’re traveling with kids or want something calmer and quieter.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

Solvang: Wine and True Crime Tour with Drinks Included - Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

  • Slasher-themed winery energy plus two quirky bars gives your tastings a clear theme and change of pace.
  • True crime stories built into the tour route include hidden tunnels and haunted mortuaries, not just generic murder trivia.
  • A guided stroll through Solvang’s historic Danish facade helps you see the charming architecture through a darker lens.
  • Included drinks at each stop keep the evening moving, from wine tastings to a cocktail and a final champagne pour.
  • Small-group vibe with a real guide means you’re not stuck listening from the back of a huge crowd.

Why Solvang Feels Like a Crime Scene (Without Losing the Charm)

Solvang: Wine and True Crime Tour with Drinks Included - Why Solvang Feels Like a Crime Scene (Without Losing the Charm)
Solvang has that postcard look: Danish-style buildings, neat streets, and the kind of calm you usually associate with tasting rooms and bakeries. This tour changes the angle. You’re still in the historic village, but your guide points your attention to the places where the town’s story gets weird, dark, and strangely believable.

The appeal is how the experience stays human-sized. You’re not just going from room to room tasting wine. You’re walking through Solvang with a narrative running the whole time—so even if you’ve been here before, the streets don’t feel the same. The true crime theme lands because it’s tied to the town’s architecture and atmosphere, with spooky undercurrents you can almost see if you know where to look.

And yes, it’s fun. Recent guides mentioned in bookings—John, Ryan, and Dan—are described as funny, entertaining, and good at keeping people comfortable while the stories get darker. That balance matters. You’re learning stories, not sitting through an overly grim lecture.

Price and What Your Ticket Covers (So You’re Not Guessing)

Solvang: Wine and True Crime Tour with Drinks Included - Price and What Your Ticket Covers (So You’re Not Guessing)
At $115 per person for about 2 hours, this is a premium-priced food-and-drink tour—but the pricing makes sense when you look at what’s included.

Your ticket covers:

  • Tastings at three unique stops (Final Girl Wines, High Roller Tiki Lounge, and Cali Love Wine -Solvang)
  • A guided Solvang walk segment
  • The true crime storytelling that connects everything

What’s not included:

  • Additional wine purchases
  • Guide gratuity

The best way to think about value here is that you’re paying for the guided experience as much as the drinks. The included tastings and the cocktail/champagne-style finish keep your evening lively, but the real product is the route + the story + the pacing between stops.

If you’re the type who likes planning a night around a theme—food, wine, and a narrative—this tends to hit the sweet spot. If you just want to drink on your own schedule, you’ll probably get more value doing tastings you choose yourself.

Meeting at Chomp and Keeping Your Timing Stress-Free

Solvang: Wine and True Crime Tour with Drinks Included - Meeting at Chomp and Keeping Your Timing Stress-Free
You’ll meet at the Little Mermaid fountain outside of Chomp restaurant. That’s simple, easy to spot, and helpful if you’re arriving on foot.

The tour is 2 hours total, and it moves in a clear sequence:

  • First tasting at Final Girl Wines
  • A guided walk through Solvang
  • A cocktail stop at High Roller Tiki Lounge
  • A short final tasting at Cali Love Wine -Solvang

Because the tour includes walking and weather can be unpredictable, I recommend you arrive a few minutes early so you’re not adjusting coats while the group starts moving. One booking note mentions a late guide start, which is rare but worth keeping in mind if you have a strict dinner reservation right after. Build in a little buffer and you’ll enjoy it more.

Stop 1: Final Girl Wines (45 Minutes of First-Glass Atmosphere)

Your first real taste happens at Final Girl Wines, for about 45 minutes. This is where the tour sets its tone: you’re not just tasting wine; you’re entering the slasher-themed vibe and getting the story started.

Why I like starting here: it’s long enough for you to settle in. You can talk, listen, and ask questions without feeling like you’re being rushed from sip to sip. And because the tour theme is centered on Solvang’s darker side, this first stop helps you switch your mindset from daytime tourist mode to story mode.

You’ll be learning while you taste, which is the whole point. The wine doesn’t feel like an afterthought, and the story doesn’t feel disconnected from the room. You’re building a mental map of the evening.

Practical tip: pace yourself in the first tasting. You’ll be drinking at multiple stops, and you’ll also be walking during the Solvang segment.

The Solvang Street Walk: Hidden Tunnels, Haunted Mortuaries, and Danish Facades

Solvang: Wine and True Crime Tour with Drinks Included - The Solvang Street Walk: Hidden Tunnels, Haunted Mortuaries, and Danish Facades
After Final Girl Wines, the tour moves into the town itself for a guided Solvang walk segment (about 30 minutes). This is where the experience stops being just a bar crawl and becomes a themed exploration.

Your guide connects the charming, historic architecture to the spooky underbelly—so you’re learning where the town’s stories sit underneath the cute exterior. The topics you’ll hear include hidden tunnels, haunted mortuaries, and chilling accounts tied to the 1970s serial killer era. You’ll also hear references to things like haunted bakeries and ghostly windmills, which helps explain why the town’s “nice” reputation doesn’t fully match its legend.

This segment is especially valuable if you’re the type who wants more than “this is a nice street.” You’ll leave with a sharper sense of where the real character of Solvang lives—less about souvenir shops, more about the atmosphere and the way the stories get passed along.

Potential drawback: you’re still outside, and the tour operates in all weather. If it’s cold or wet, you’ll want warm clothing and a plan for slick sidewalks. The comfort of your shoes matters a lot here.

Stop 2: High Roller Tiki Lounge (30 Minutes to Shake Things Up)

Solvang: Wine and True Crime Tour with Drinks Included - Stop 2: High Roller Tiki Lounge (30 Minutes to Shake Things Up)
Next up is High Roller Tiki Lounge for about 30 minutes, with a cocktail-style stop built into the itinerary. This is the change-of-pace moment. After the wine start and the guided walk, the tiki bar environment breaks the tone in a good way—still weird, still thematic, but more relaxed and social.

Why the stop works: it keeps the tour from feeling one-note. Wine tastings can be educational but also easy to overdo in one night. Adding a cocktail segment resets your senses while your guide continues connecting the true crime theme to what you’re experiencing.

If you like themed drinks, this is also the part where you’ll probably feel the story taking shape in a more playful way—more chatter, more energy, more smiles.

Practical tip: since you’re drinking here, it’s smart to keep water and a light snack strategy in mind. The tour doesn’t mention food being provided, so bring your own plan for staying comfortable.

Stop 3: Cali Love Wine -Solvang (15 Minutes of a Clean Finish)

Solvang: Wine and True Crime Tour with Drinks Included - Stop 3: Cali Love Wine -Solvang (15 Minutes of a Clean Finish)
You end at Cali Love Wine -Solvang, with a shorter champagne tasting segment (about 15 minutes). That timing is intentional. It gives you a final moment to taste something celebratory while the tour wraps up without dragging the whole night longer than the planned 2 hours.

Why I like a shorter final stop: it keeps your energy level from crashing. By the end, you’ve already heard the stories, walked the route, and tasted through the main stops. This is the finish line—an easy close that doesn’t feel like one more long lecture or another long sit.

At the end of the tour, you’re also in a good spot to decide what you want next—either stay for more sipping at your own pace or head out for dinner once you’ve got the Solvang story in your head.

Who This Tour Is For (And Who Should Skip It)

Solvang: Wine and True Crime Tour with Drinks Included - Who This Tour Is For (And Who Should Skip It)
This experience is clearly aimed at adults. You must be 21 or older, and it’s not suitable for children under 12. It’s also listed as not suitable for pregnant women.

One more detail to pay attention to: accessibility info is mixed. The tour says wheelchair accessible, but it also says it’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Because the experience includes walking, I’d treat this as a “check before you go” situation. If you fall anywhere near those lines, contact the provider directly so you know what the route and walking demands will look like for your specific needs.

Best fit:

  • You love true crime stories, especially the 1970s serial killer era topics the tour references
  • You want a guided, themed tasting night—not just random wine stops
  • You’re happy doing a short walking segment in weather that can change fast
  • You like conversations with other people who are into the theme (small-group format helps)

Not a fit:

  • You want a kid-friendly activity
  • You’re sensitive to spooky content or crime themes
  • You want a totally flexible self-guided tasting (because this is tightly timed)

Practical Tips That Make This Feel Easy

Solvang: Wine and True Crime Tour with Drinks Included - Practical Tips That Make This Feel Easy
A few small choices make a big difference on this kind of tour.

  • Wear comfortable shoes. The tour involves walking, and Solvang sidewalks can be uneven.
  • Bring warm clothing. The tour operates in all weather conditions.
  • Have your ID ready. You’ll need a passport or ID card, and the event is 21+.
  • Bring a camera if you like photos of themed spaces and the historic village streets.

Also, plan your evening so you’re not rushing afterward. With multiple drink stops and storytelling, you’ll want time to decompress afterward—especially if you’ll be doing anything more active.

Should You Book This Solvang Wine and True Crime Tour?

If you want a themed night that combines wine tastings with a guided walk and true crime storytelling, this is a strong choice. It’s priced for an experience, not just wine. And the three-stop structure helps you get variety—slasher-themed mood at the first tasting, a playful cocktail environment at the tiki lounge, and an easy champagne finish at Cali Love Wine -Solvang.

Book it if:

  • Crime stories and spooky local legends are your thing
  • You like your wine tours guided and story-led
  • You can handle short walking segments and all-weather conditions

Skip it (or at least double-check details) if:

  • You’re under 21, traveling with kids, or need a more flexible schedule
  • You’re not comfortable with true crime content
  • You have mobility concerns and want clarity on how “wheelchair accessible” applies to the actual walking route

FAQ

How long is the Solvang Wine and True Crime Tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

What does the $115 per person price include?

Your ticket includes an expert guide, wine tastings at three unique spots, and the true crime stories. Additional wine purchases and guide gratuity are not included.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You’ll meet at the Little Mermaid fountain outside of Chomp restaurant.

Where does the tour end?

The tour finishes at Cali Love Wine -Solvang.

What stops are included in the itinerary?

You’ll visit Final Girl Wines (wine tasting), High Roller Tiki Lounge (cocktail), and Cali Love Wine -Solvang (champagne tasting). There’s also a guided Solvang walking segment in between.

Is the tour suitable for kids?

No. It is not suitable for children under 12, and participants must be 21 years or older.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring a passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a camera.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately.

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