Jack London State Historic Park

Jack London State Historic Park

Jack London State Historic Park
4.5
Historic SitesParksHiking Trails
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Jack London State Historic Park, comprised of 1400 acres, is the legacy of Jack London, one of America's most famous authors. The park offers historic buildings dating to the late 1870's, great scenic beauty and more than 20 miles of trails open to hikers, bikers and horseback riders. The park is open year-round, 7 days, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. There is no camping. Day Use fee is $10/car. Historic buildings include the House of Happy Walls, the Wolf House Ruin, barns, the Cottage where Jack London lived and died and the famous "Pig Palace".
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • yuriyNY
    Brooklyn, New York9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A beautiful place!
    This is a beautiful place, especially for those who love Jack London! The historic site contains Jack London's museum, a cottage where he lived, the magnificent ruins of his "dream house" (it burned down when Jack London was about to move in), and his grave. All these are in the middle of a beautiful area (London described it in his novels) located in Sonoma Valley, with many great hikes available (not to mention the wine testing options!) My wife and I spent 4 days there, and it was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable experiences in our lives (I am not exaggerating!)
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 15, 2023
  • Avatar627
    Chicago, Illinois180 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Brilliant and inspiring
    Great site - extremely well maintained, with knowledgeable staff. We learned a lot about Jack London and his wife Charmian, who lived quite the adventure over 100 years ago. Museum and Lodge are very interesting to tour.
    Visited May 2023
    Written May 9, 2023
  • nobsug2014
    9 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Easy walk to see interesting historical buildings
    compact (all buildings are located within short walking distance, my father is 81 with knee problem but he was able to comfortably walk). Interesting estate in middle of wineries. Very informative staff (volunteers?)
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written June 16, 2023
  • Northcoast_Flyer
    321 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An Inspiring and Beautiful Historic Park
    Whether you've read a little, a lot, or none of Jack London's more than 50 books and his extensive journalism, this state park is a beautiful and inspiring place to visit. The expertly curated museum and the London's homely cottage are engaging in any weather and miles of hiking trails lead to the Wolf House Ruins, Jack's famous "Pig Palace" and along or up the side of Sonoma Mountain through groves of Redwood and Oak. Before you set out, you may want to pack a deli lunch from the Glen Ellen Market or start the day with French pastries from the little bakery across Arnold Street. The $10 entry fees helps keep this park operating since it is one of California State Parks that is run by a non-profit foundation and receives little tax funding.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written June 26, 2023
  • coyote608
    158 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful and Interesting
    I really enjoyed the hike, the tour, and museum. It's a gorgeous area, and it was very interesting to learn more about Jack London and the history of the land and buildings. I didn't know much about Jack London before visiting, and now I want to know more!
    Visited July 2023
    Written July 26, 2023
  • brown10948
    Potomac, Maryland7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Perfect afternoon diversion
    So much more than expected! Lovely hikes throughout the property and many are shaded. We were surprised by the redwood groves. Be sure to visit the ancient redwood! Biking and horseback trails as well. They have done a lovely job of maintaining the cottage and house. There’s a tremendous wealth of information and ‘artifacts’ from Jack snd Charmian’s travels.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 1, 2023
  • Robin B
    Phoenix, Arizona1,427 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful insight into Jack London
    It costs $10 a car to enter the park. Turn to the left, park your car and start with the museum, which was the home Charmian had built and lived in a few years after Jack died in 1916. The ranger/gift shop person is purely ornamental and of no help whatsoever in directing you through the museum or park or answering questions correctly. So, here’s the scoop: The museum has all sorts of artifacts from London and a number of audio/video screens talking about different periods of his life. Upstairs is Charmian’s bedroom, closet with some of her clothes and shoes, and bath plus more displays and her Steinway grand piano. Once you are done with the museum (we spent over an hour), exit and go left to the path leading to the gravesite and Wolf House, the house Jack London built, but which burned before he and Charmian moved in. If it is rainy (as it was when we were there), go back down to the parking lot and take the paved path on the left hand side. The walk either way is about .5 to .75 mile. Then you can either drive to the parking lot where the cottage and other ranch buildings are located or take a short walk there. The day we were there, there wasn’t a docent for the 11 a.m. Wolf House tour, but we met Bern, a volunteer docent, on our way back to the parking lot and he graciously agreed to take us back to Wolf House and give us a tour. He then was kind enough to drive us (it was raining) to the Cottage, where Bob gave us a tour. Both gentlemen were more than kind, which made up for Miss Sourpuss in the museum. We were there about 2.5 hours. If the day had been nice, we could have spent another 45 minutes.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 22, 2023
  • V Jack V
    Holland, Michigan48 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must stop
    This was our fourth visit and our friends first visit. We love taking people here when we go to California. It is an amazing place with natural beauty, a great walk to an amazing ruins, and unique history of the area and of Jack London’s life and legacy. Can’t wait to go again.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 23, 2023
  • Melissa L
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A gem of a place! Well worth a visit
    Stumbled on this place while staying overnight in Sonoma and just loved it. What a treasure of a place! Jack London's actual homestead and writing studio, even the bed he passed away in and the love story of he and his wife. The rooms are beautiful, left just as they were in some cases. The folks who work there were delightful and knowledgeable. The grounds beautiful and peaceful. So grateful it was saved when the state abandoned it!!
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written January 1, 2024
  • Monte D
    Campbell, California495 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jack London fan favorite!
    The views were so scenic and beautiful. We spent about two - three hours but did not hike the property or trails. We visited the Museum and enjoyed the various displays. Shopped in the gift shop and purchased some biographies on Jack and his wife Charmain. We then drove over to the upper parking lot to go and see the cottage. It was a little bit of a walk but very scenic. We had a nice volunteer docent tour of the two cottage buildings residence/office and then the kitchen/dining room. The weather was a bit cold and wet but we did enjoy everything. Dress warm if you go in the winter.
    Visited January 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 12, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Alex C
London, UK66 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Couples
You turn up, find out you need $10 cash and a pen (to write your licence plate onto an envelope) to get in. You have $5 and no pen. Drive back to the Glen Ellen ATM. Someone’s card is left in it, so spend 5m finding the store manager to leave it with them. You’ve been dispensed $20 bills, so back into the store for change. Cashier laughs because “this happens all the time”. Returning to the car park you realise you forgot to buy a pen. Luckily you dig around in your bag and find you had one all along. Pop the cash in the envelope into the slot (it would be impossible to remove envelopes stuffed in there using needle-nose pliers).

For the next 15m, all taking is drowned out by a leaf blower. Not long after, on a narrow trail, you nearly get run over by a golf cart. In the back of the cart is a leaf blower.

Luckily the park is otherwise delightful, interesting, and peaceful. There just enough information to keep you engaged, toilets are clean, and everything is well maintained.
Written June 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Northcoast_Flyer
Belmont, CA321 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
Whether you've read a little, a lot, or none of Jack London's more than 50 books and his extensive journalism, this state park is a beautiful and inspiring place to visit. The expertly curated museum and the London's homely cottage are engaging in any weather and miles of hiking trails lead to the Wolf House Ruins, Jack's famous "Pig Palace" and along or up the side of Sonoma Mountain through groves of Redwood and Oak. Before you set out, you may want to pack a deli lunch from the Glen Ellen Market or start the day with French pastries from the little bakery across Arnold Street. The $10 entry fees helps keep this park operating since it is one of California State Parks that is run by a non-profit foundation and receives little tax funding.
Written June 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dwheatl
Northern California217 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
We got to the park an hour before the gates closed, so we did not have time to see everything, but the ranger at the gate kindly told us to start with the museum, and that would give us a little more time for walking around outdoors after the entrance and museum closed.
The museum house was fascinating, sharing the unique lives of Jack and Charmian London. There were quite a few artifacts and photos. We then did the short hike to the Wolf House ruins. It felt like a long hike to us, but we're not big hikers and it was very hot that day. The ruins are amazing, and the park has built a platform where you can safely climb up and look down into the ruins, and there's an outline posted to show you what the parts of the house were supposed to be. This was worth our time and energy.
I hope to return one day when we have more time. The ranch and cottage sound worthwhile too. I'm especially curious about the pig palace!
Written July 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SanFrancisco2121
Phoenix, AZ89 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020 • Family
We arrived on a hot day, thinking the trees will provide cool shade to walk around. That didn't happen. We hardly managed to walk 5min to the cottage, that was closed due to Corona, and back. Within 10 min of entering the park we were on our way out, minus $10 entry fee. Oh well, lesson learned.
Written September 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robin B
Phoenix, AZ1,427 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
It costs $10 a car to enter the park. Turn to the left, park your car and start with the museum, which was the home Charmian had built and lived in a few years after Jack died in 1916. The ranger/gift shop person is purely ornamental and of no help whatsoever in directing you through the museum or park or answering questions correctly. So, here’s the scoop: The museum has all sorts of artifacts from London and a number of audio/video screens talking about different periods of his life. Upstairs is Charmian’s bedroom, closet with some of her clothes and shoes, and bath plus more displays and her Steinway grand piano. Once you are done with the museum (we spent over an hour), exit and go left to the path leading to the gravesite and Wolf House, the house Jack London built, but which burned before he and Charmian moved in. If it is rainy (as it was when we were there), go back down to the parking lot and take the paved path on the left hand side. The walk either way is about .5 to .75 mile. Then you can either drive to the parking lot where the cottage and other ranch buildings are located or take a short walk there. The day we were there, there wasn’t a docent for the 11 a.m. Wolf House tour, but we met Bern, a volunteer docent, on our way back to the parking lot and he graciously agreed to take us back to Wolf House and give us a tour. He then was kind enough to drive us (it was raining) to the Cottage, where Bob gave us a tour. Both gentlemen were more than kind, which made up for Miss Sourpuss in the museum. We were there about 2.5 hours. If the day had been nice, we could have spent another 45 minutes.
Written October 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

yuriyNY
Brooklyn, NY9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
This is a beautiful place, especially for those who love Jack London! The historic site contains Jack London's museum, a cottage where he lived, the magnificent ruins of his "dream house" (it burned down when Jack London was about to move in), and his grave. All these are in the middle of a beautiful area (London described it in his novels) located in Sonoma Valley, with many great hikes available (not to mention the wine testing options!) My wife and I spent 4 days there, and it was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable experiences in our lives (I am not exaggerating!)
Written April 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RangerDan
United States275 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
We really enjoy stopping by this park when in the area to go for a hike or learn more about the life and accomplishments of the author, Jack London. It is amazing how many people no longer know who he was or what he did. This is a perfect place to be inspired by the ranch and wildlands that inspired him and to see hoe he and his equally adventurous wife lived. Some trails are very easy while others are a little more of a challenge. Traffic during the day in wine tasting season can get to be a challenge so go early. There are wineries nearby you can enjoy after a hike or visit to one of the historic buildings and the town of Glen Ellen has nice options for food. The staff at the park are very knowledgeable and helpful. Give it a try!!! Weather notes: although mostly mild, summers can be hot – spring is beautiful as is autumn though autumn traffic can be a challenge on weekends
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Monte D
Campbell, CA495 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
The views were so scenic and beautiful. We spent about two - three hours but did not hike the property or trails. We visited the Museum and enjoyed the various displays. Shopped in the gift shop and purchased some biographies on Jack and his wife Charmain. We then drove over to the upper parking lot to go and see the cottage. It was a little bit of a walk but very scenic. We had a nice volunteer docent tour of the two cottage buildings residence/office and then the kitchen/dining room.
The weather was a bit cold and wet but we did enjoy everything. Dress warm if you go in the winter.
Written January 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joy_lee21
Grand Rapids, Michigan161 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
We stopped here and spent a morning walking around and learning about Jack London and his wife. The museum is in his late wife’s house with lots of information. You can take a short walk to see their house that they never had the chance to live in as it burned to the ground the day before they were going to move in. If the go to the right when you come in you can visit their other house they lived in and Jack wrote his stories. There is a pretty hike to the lake through some redwoods.
Written January 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sharon M
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2020
Wonderful trails for easy walks. Only went towards the museum, Wolf House, and grave so don’t know if the other direction has more challenging treks. Masks were required when passing others on trail. There were those that didn’t wear masks but it was easy to step aside and get at least 6 ft separation when passing. Loved that the park has nice signage which explains the history of the various sites.
Written June 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Jack London State Historic Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Jack London State Historic Park

Jack London State Historic Park is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM