History of Pea Soup Andersen's Inn
Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1969. The hotel was born from the success of the Pea Soup Andersen’s restaurant (now closed), which was a popular tourist destination for travelers driving along the 101 highway.
Though the original Pea Soup Andersen’s restaurant has since closed, its legacy lives on throughout the Inn. The restaurant was famous for its split pea soup recipe and warm, Danish-inspired hospitality, and that same spirit carries through in the Inn’s decor, courtyard, and guest experience today. Travelers driving the 101 corridor between Los Angeles and San Francisco have stopped in Buellton for generations, making Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn one of the most recognized names along the Central Coast.
Because the hotel sits at the gateway to the Santa Ynez Valley wine region, its growth has closely tracked the area’s rise as a premier wine destination. What began as a roadside stop with 25 rooms has become a nearly 100-room hotel with a heated pool, spa, putting green, and easy access to dozens of wineries and tasting rooms within a short drive.
The Nielsen family’s more than 50 years of ownership have kept the Inn’s character intact even as the surrounding valley has changed. Guests today can expect the same attentive, family-run hospitality that made the original stop along Highway 101 a favorite among road-trippers, now paired with modern amenities and proximity to Solvang, Los Olivos, and the wine country that has made this stretch of the Santa Ynez Valley famous.
Discover the History of Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn Today
Nearly six decades after it first opened its doors, the history of Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn continues to shape every guest’s stay in Buellton. Visitors can explore the Inn’s on-site amenities, including the heated pool, hot spa, putting green, and bocce ball court, all just steps from where the original restaurant once welcomed travelers along Highway 101. The Inn’s location near Buellton, California and the Santa Ynez Valley wine country gives guests easy access to the same Central Coast charm that drew road-trippers here back in 1969.
Owned and operated by the Nielsen family for more than 50 years, Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn has grown from a modest roadside motel into a nearly 100-room destination while keeping its Danish-inspired character intact. Photographs, memorabilia, and stories from the original Pea Soup Andersen’s restaurant are still woven into the property today, so guests checking in can see firsthand how deep the history of Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn really runs. Ready to experience it yourself? Browse current special offers or reserve a room to make a piece of that history part of your own California road trip.
The original owners, Daryl Nielsen and Vince Evans, recognized the growing interest in the restaurant and decided to build a hotel on the site, which had previously been used as a wildlife zoo.
Over the years, the hotel has expanded from its original 25 rooms to now offer almost 100 rooms. With the growth of the wine country in the area, Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn has evolved to offer wine tours in partnership with local wineries. This combination of a comfortable stay and access to the wine country has made Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn a staple destination for travelers visiting Solvang.
The hotel is still owned and managed by the Nielsen family, who have dedicated over 50 years to maintaining the high standards and traditions of Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn. Their commitment to providing guests with a memorable experience, both through its comfortable accommodations and its rich history, has been a driving force behind the hotel’s continued success.