Jack London State Historic Park image

Jack London State Historic Park

Tourist attraction Park Historical landmark Hiking area Historical place museum

One of the Best Places To Visits in Glen Ellen


Address

2400 London Ranch Rd, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, United States

Website

www.jacklondonpark.com

Contact

+1 707-938-5216

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Monday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Tuesday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Wednesday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 9 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Jack (34) London (28) park (27) House (19) Wolf (15) museum (15) life (12) walk (12) time (11) hike (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Marc D. 1 year ago on Google
    I stumbled across this park while driving through Napa Valley and decided to check it out, even though I was short on time. I was surprised at the size of the park - on one end is a short hike to the old farmstead/winery site where several stone buildings remain - a barn, stable, storage shed as well as the remains of the massive winery building. An idyllic wood cottage sits on the hill overlooking the winery. This is where Jack and his wife lived off the land in his final years. If you drive to the other side of the park you'll find the House of Happy Walls Museum, housed in a large stone house once belonging to London's wife Charmian. The exhibits detail the incredible adventurous life that they had together and includes lots of great artifacts and displays about their world travels in the fully-restored house. If you have time, I'd highly recommend the easy hike (15 min or so) to the remains of Wolf House. The ruins of this massive mansion (Jack's dream house that burned down before he could move in) are nestled in a serene forest grove surrounded by redwoods. The museum has a detailed model of it that gives some perspective. Also everybody working here is very friendly and happy to share the history with you.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kristen A. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely worth visiting if you have a few hours to spare! The grounds are gorgeous and offer short trails to the various buildings on the estate. Lots of redwood, oak and eucalyptus trees. A surprisingly large amount of Jack London’s items are preserved, giving an immersive experience at the museum and cottage. The volunteers there were also very knowledgeable and friendly. I didn’t know much about London prior to my visit, but he was a fascinating person who lived a full life in 40 years. The park was not too busy at all on a Friday- we had the trail to Wolf House and the cottage mostly to ourselves.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lucy W. 2 years ago on Google
    Really nice state park. We walked the loop (left turn after the gate) with the museum about Jack London, then out to the ruins of the Wolf House, out to Jack London's grave. Pretty easy hike. There's a shuttle available to take you between the parking lot and the Wolf House if you or your four legged companions get tried. We saw some redwoods and vineyards on the hike! There's a lot more to the park but this loop leaves you feeling satisfied.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hannah E. 3 months ago on Google • 307 reviews New
    Oh my goodness, this place is a dream! So cool to walk around the Beauty Ranch, see all of the buildings and vineyards, and learn about Jack London and his sustainable farming practices. But my favorite spot was definitely the Wolf House ruins - so gorgeous! We were the only ones there and the ruins and nature surrounding them were just breathtaking. We spent around 2 hours here exploring all of the main sites; didn't get out on any of the longer trails, but they all look lovely. I'm sure you could spend all day here! Dogs are allowed in the historic site areas, but not on the nature trails.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sandra J. 2 years ago on Google
    Wow! This state park, run by knowledgeable volunteers, is a worthwhile activity! Start at the museum to orient yourself on Jack and Charmian London then walk to the Wolf House (burned just before they were to move in), then gravesite. After that, walk over to the cottages and farm. Until yesterday, I had no idea about the inspiration for his books and his innovative environmental/ farming interests. If you have a chance to catch a docent tour, it is definitely worth scheduling your time to attend one for some inside information. The grounds are spectacular to walk (watch out for the poison oak). There are some hills but the park also has carts to take you, if you are unable to walk. There are lots of beautiful spots to enjoy a picnic. The $10 parking fee pays for the upkeep of the park and worth it. Plan to spend the entire day!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Robert L. 3 months ago on Google • 10 reviews New
    Have wanted to visit for a while and finally drove up last weekend. Absolutely exceeded my expectations! Jack London had a fascinating, albeit short, life and his wife was was an amazing woman. The ranch is beautiful with vineyards, historic buildings and rolling hills. Can't wait to go back
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 jparra2K 3 months ago on Google • 110 reviews New
    The small museum was awesome. I must confess that I did not know much about him, but I am super glad we found this place. Beautiful trails and forest. We went on a rainy day but it was still fantastic. I got a couple of his books on the small book shop. Staff was very informative.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Robert G. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is excellent. It’s beautiful and has great walking trails for every level including redwoods, lakes, old ruins, and a super awesome museum about Jack London the adventurer and author. The museum is very well done with a staff who is deeply knowledgeable about him and his history with lots of back story and to dyes if you’re interested. There are free guided tours or just tour on your own the museum, his sorting cottage and the various other building where he helped innovate sustainable agricultural techniques still in use. Helps bring alive a great character who had a joy of life and courage that is inspiring. Great little bookstore, gift shop on site too. Went not knowing what to expect and came away very glad we made time for the side trip. It’s fun and about 20 minutes from Sonoma downtown and in Glen Ellen so near plenty of Sonoma wineries.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Susan B. 11 months ago on Google
    Even the drive there is beautiful. Friendly, helpful folks at the entry gate. Adequate parking, benches, picnic tables. Lots of shade trees and hiking trails. The museum is outstanding, the Wolf House ruins and gravesites humbling. The cottage and ranch make you feel as though you met Jack himself.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chih-Ping W. 5 months ago on Google • 30 reviews
    Great place for hiking, quiet, peaceful and comfortable. You can hear the sounds of the flowing creek along the trail. My love for Jack London’s works comes from my father. Even though I have not read Jack London since more than a decade, the wolf, the Indians and the magnificent Alaska and Klondike always occupies a corner in my memory thanks to Jack London’s artistic language and descriptive style. When I read Jack’s works in my youth, I never imagine that one day I will bring my children to visit Jack London’s ranch, his dream home “The Wolf House” and his resting place. Museum is beautiful and informative. The tour to the Wolf House ruins is a must, meeting at 11AM in front of the museum and taking about 1.5 hours. Be prepared for the walk. We bring some food and have lunch at the picnic table in front of the Wolf House Ruins.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Heather S. 5 months ago on Google • 174 reviews
    Cute museum. Decent trails and pretty trees. It’s worth the $10 car fee to spend a few hours walking around the state park. There are accessible walking paths and a complementary golf cart service if mobility is an issue to the main attractions.

  • 5/5 Mitchell Z. 7 months ago on Google
    Jack London State Historic Park is a captivating destination for history and nature enthusiasts alike. Located in the heart of Sonoma County, this park offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and legacy of the renowned author, Jack London. Visitors can explore the ruins of the Wolf House, the home that London built but never had the chance to inhabit, as well as his cottage and ranch, all rich with historical significance. The park also features various hiking trails, providing an opportunity to immerse yourself in the picturesque landscapes that inspired Jack London's writing.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Steven P. 2 years ago on Google
    Exceeded all of our expectations. Made richer by great volunteers. Jack was ahead of his time in so many ways. Environmental leader, cultural commentator, married to a woman of incredible power herself, community supporter, etc. A life lived too fast and cut short by personal shortcomings and bad luck. This park helps you reflect on a quality leader.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Victoria P. 5 months ago on Google • 77 reviews
    A fascinating little museum and tribute to two people with a voracious appetite for life. I found Jack and Charmian London really came to life through the pictures, quotations and stories of their lives presented on the information displays. We spent a couple of hours and only had time to visit the House of Happy Walls, graveyard and Wolf House. Certainly inspired me to learn and read more of their work. Would like to go back and spend more time there.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 kaliador18 3 months ago on Google • 86 reviews New
    Beautiful property, ideally arranged for a quick visit for London fans, & also offering extensive hiking options for the general nature enthusiasts too. London’s ruins & buildings are lovingly maintained & approachable. Trail to the gorgeously sad Wolf House is short but steep in several places, so be aware! It IS worth it.

  • 4/5 Karin Y. 1 year ago on Google
    It is a small park with short trails focused on Jack London and his wife’s life. It is very interesting because Jack was a visionary and ahead of his time, he had so many ideas, he was not afraid to make mistakes trying new things. There are dirty portable toilets, parking lot, picnic tables in different areas and barbecue site. The landscape is beautiful, but they miss some plates to identify things inside to make the tour a little bit more immersive. You can have information in specific places but sometimes you are walking and you need to go after a map to know what was that about. We walked to check the “lake” and the walk was pleasant but the “pound of mosquitoes” was a bad surprise. There is $10 admission fee/car.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lucky S. 7 months ago on Google
    This place was amazing. Whether you want to see something cool or you're a history buff, you have to check this place out. Also the drive there is beautiful as well. There are also great hiking trails too.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christel R. 6 months ago on Google
    If you want beauty and a ranch this is it...Jack London s Beauty Ranch. Vineyards to cottage to wine cellar ruins to a forest path leading to the house Jack built but unfortunately was engulfed in flames. However short his life span was he certainly made up for it with travels and this ranch turned State Park. ( Dog and horse friendly too)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amy R. 1 year ago on Google
    I highly recommend a visit to the Jack London State Historic Park. The cost per car load is only $10.00, allowing guests access to the museum, which is located in House of Happy Walls, and access to the grounds and ruins. Unfortunately, I missed the Beauty Ranch Historic Trail, so plan your visit carefully. The setting is peaceful and beautiful!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alicia B. 2 years ago on Google
    The Jack London Historical Park was surprisingly really cool! The gentleman who was volunteering near Jack’s house knew his history and was really descriptive about different things that went on on the property. The experience definitely intrigued me to read one of his books. Ha. So unfortunate what happened to the house…I bet it was beautiful in its time. 4 stories, 26 rooms and 9 fireplaces…wow!! My favorite part was the park built stairs so you could actually walk up into the house to see how big it the place was and piece together the different rooms he had in it. The park was decently busy for a sunday but we didn’t feel overwhelmed by people so it was still a good experience. One thing that did suck was HOW MUCH posion oak was scattered throughout. With a toddler who runs and touches everything we were a bit concerned but we managed to avoid it all thankfully!! We did appreciate that this place was dog friendly and they had water bowls and water fountains scattered throughout the park!! Definitely a site to see!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bennett P. 1 year ago on Google
    Jack London State Historic Park is an absolute gem of a destination. I was pleasantly surprised by just how wonderful the park and museum were. The park is beautifully maintained, with stunning landscapes that truly capture the essence of this part of California. The trails are well-marked and easy to navigate, making it a great place to spend a day hiking and exploring. And the museum is simply fascinating, with a wealth of information about the life and work of Jack London. But what really made our visit special was the staff. They were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and went out of their way to share their personal favorite takeaways from the park. Their passion for the park and its history was contagious, and it made for a truly memorable experience. I highly recommend Jack London State Historic Park to anyone looking for a unique and inspiring stop in California. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a great day out, this park has something for everyone.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jaime 2 years ago on Google
    Worth seeing if you are into history at all. Learning about a great writer, explore and a passion for nature. Losing his dream home, then becoming gravely ill at the young age of 40… A tragic ending to his life with having so much promise. Beautiful location. Lots of hiking or just a relaxing place for a picnic. Learn some history while surrounded by the beauty of Sonoma hills.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Kimberly H. 3 months ago on Google • 34 reviews New
    I gave it a 4 because when I think of historical places in California, there are others I would rather see, but it was a good adventure. You get to see Jack Londons' house and property. The docent was very informative, and they make strides to make it as wheelchair friendly as possible. It is dirt paths, so be prepared if you go after a rain. It has a multitude of small hills so it is more difficult for hand push wheel chair and people that are out of shape. Don't be deterred. Just be willing to take your time. They do warn of rattle snakes since it's a nature hike. There is also a mountain lion warning posted on the property. Don't let either of those deter you. This is merely to prepare you and make you aware. We saw neither. All in all, it was a pleasant and informative adventure. I would definitely go again to complete the tour. We were there three hours and didn't get to everything. We took a lot of time to soak in our surroundings and enjoy the day. I hope you do too.

  • 5/5 Deborah S. 2 years ago on Google
    This is by far one of our favorite places to go for a walk / gentle hike. That said it also can be for a major hike. We enjoy the foliage in the fall. The Wolf House 8s another great attraction. Stopped at Les Pascals Patisserie on the way in for awesome pastries and coffee. Was a very pleasant morning!

  • 5/5 Matthew B. 1 year ago on Google
    Pretty park in the hills of Sanoma where you can visit the last estate of Jack London and see where he lived on the vineyard. A pretty and peaceful park with friendly rangers and great spots for pictures. We hit the vineyard at the bottom of the hill after for a glass of wine. Give yourself at least an hour to visit but probably two. Tons of picnic tables everywhere so bring lunch. One of the prettiest picnic spots I've seen. Worth a stop for fans of Jack London or just anyone with appreciation for the area.

  • 4/5 Joel C. 1 year ago on Google
    The property is beautiful and the museums are nice it's a very gentle walk around the large estate. The $10 admission isn't so unreasonable until you decide to use one of the many port-o-potties that are practically overflowing.

  • 5/5 Emma C. 6 months ago on Google
    A very gorgeous hike, thought that it was interesting since it had some historical significance and was interesting seeing the old buildings on the property. It was an easy hike/walk with gorgeous views of the park.

  • 5/5 Jen W. 1 year ago on Google
    It’s such a beautiful state park. Between Wolf House Ruins, the Guest House where Jack and Charming London lived and the nice hike to “Pig Palace” it is worth the drive! There’s a lovely trail that branches off to the Lake Trail after you the first cement silos built in California. The best part is discovering it’s part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail! I plan to go back to hike up to Sonoma Mountain. There is something for everyone to enjoy there. Parking is $6 per car.

  • 5/5 Bradley J. 2 years ago on Google
    Great way to change up the wine tasting of the valley. Hike, walk and I believe ride horses through this state park which was the former home of Jack London and his second wife. Amazing views and vistas of the valley as wells vineyards and trees planted long ago. We were lucky enough to have a wonderful hiking guide from the Sonoma Fairmont give us a hiking tour of Jack's former estate. Be mindful of poison oak it is on the train so be careful if you need to step of the trail to relieve yourself as you might brush up against more than you bargained for.


Call +1 707-938-5216 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Tourist attractions nearby

Last updated:
()