On the search for autumnal vineyards and rolling hills, we drove the back roads through Napa Valley and stumbled upon a gem of a State Park. Jack London State Historic Park is a 1400 acre plot of land in Sonoma Valley, just over an hour north of San Francisco, with over 29 miles of trails that wind through vineyards, the Sonoma mountains, a small lake and forests miraculously untouched by 2017’s wildfires.
Here’s Jack London State Park:
The History
Jack London was an internationally-famous writer, explorer and lover of nature. In the early 1900s, he purchased over 130 acres of land to preserve and grow it into what he had envisioned as a perfect escape from the city-life. While living here, he wrote many of his literary works while maintaining a well-machined farm and winery. 100 years later, that area, along with an additional 1270 acres, transformed into a State Historic Park in his name.
The ruins of Jack London’s farm, like his old cottage and barns, pig pens, watering holes, silos and equipment, are still standing on the property today. The pig pens that still stand today were built in 1915 and dubbed “The Pig Palace” due to its very expensive price tag of $3000. The Pig Palace was designed to care for prized breeding pigs and was constructed in a circle to save labor. The area where the pigs ate was centrally located around the roofed pens with a courtyard and a fenced outdoor area to run.
The two silos that are located just downhill from the Pig Palace were erected in 1914. Standing at 40 feet tall, the concrete silos were the first of its kind to be constructed west of the Mississippi.
The Vineyards
But perhaps the most stunning aspect of Jack London State Historic Park are the vineyards that nestle up against the Sonoma Mountains.
Planted here in the 19th century, Jack London began producing wine in the early 1900s and built a winery shortly after. While the winery building was heavily damaged in the 1906 earthquake and a fire in the 1960s, the brick ruins still stand today.
The stunning brick archway of the winery outlines the colorful autumnal vineyards so majestically.
The ruins can be booked for weddings and private events and multiple outdoor theater shows are performed here each summer.
Quick-Info About Visiting Jack London State Historic Park
Hours:
Open Daily from 9-5 (Closed on Christmas)
Price:
$10 – Per Vehicle
$5 – Bike/Walk-In
Dog Permittance:
Only in certain areas of the park, on leash. See map below for info on where dogs are permitted.
Hiking Info:
Location: Glen Ellen, California
Number of Trails: 29
Type of Trails: Foot, Bike, Equestrian
Rated: Easy for the majority. Moderate trails are the Sonoma Ridge Trail Loop (8 miles) and the Mountain out-and-back trail (6.3 miles).
Traffic: Heavy
Facilities: Modern Restroom
Features: Museum, Vineyard, Farm Ruins, Cottage
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Stunning pics!!
Thank you so much! Vineyards in the fall are just beautiful!