Charming Glen Ellen may be small, but this tiny hamlet packs a lot of punch. Find out for yourself why the Londons were drawn to the region.
After visiting Jack London State Historic Park where the famed author built Wolf House, wrote novels and pioneered innovative farming methods, consider visiting some of the following Glen Ellen attractions:
Benziger Family Winery is a present-day pioneer in green farming. Explore their biodynamic estate on a motorized tram ride through lush vineyards, while enjoying Sonoma Mountain’s breathtaking views. Be sure to use the 2 for 1 wine tasting card available at the park to sample award winning authentic and character rich wines.
Famed restaurateur and cookbook author, Sondra Bernstein, offers a sensational French dinner menu celebrating California fare, from flavorful starters to decadent desserts. Stop by on Wednesdays between 5:30 to 7 p.m. for Wine Wednesday where complimentary tastings from local wineries are paired with meals.
One of Glen Ellen’s favorite breakfast spots is the Garden Court Café. Specializing in made from scratch meals and local ingredients, they offer seven varieties of Eggs Benedict, pancakes, waffles and melts for a hearty beginning to your day.
It’s no secret that Jack London enjoyed a cocktail. One of his favorites was a martini coupled with oysters and one can’t do better than the martini bar and grill at the Glen Ellen Inn. Best yet, secret cottages are just steps from the restaurant, each with its own fireplace and jacuzzi tubs providing a safety net for more than one martini.
The people’s choice for Best New Chef, Ari Weiswasser specializes in a wood-fire cooking technique that brings out the flavors of seasonally inspired dishes all sourced locally.
Stop at the deli and pack a picnic with your favorite cheeses, charcuterie or one of their specialty sandwiches (we’re partial towards the Jack London or Call of the Wild) to enjoy at one of the many picnic sites at the park.
Open to the public by appointment only, this winery is well worth visiting. Nancy and John Lasseter’s love of French wines and the old-world approach to wine making make this an experience for exploration of all the senses that will not easily be forgotten. Enjoy an insider’s look at the revitalized historic vineyards and state-of-the-art winery.
Les Pascals Patisserie et Boulangerie
With four croissant flavors to choose from (pain au chocolat, pain au banana, raisin or almond) this is a perfect spot to start your day by sharing a flaky pastry flight with a caffeinated hot beverage on the outdoor patio of this cheery yellow building in the heart of town. Owned by the Pascal’s, a husband and wife team, this French bakery has a delectable offering of pastries, baguettes, quiches and sandwiches.
Step back in time when you enter the Jack London Saloon and enjoy beer on tap at the antique polished oak bar. The saloon is true to its namesake’s concept of a good time – relaxed, friendly fellowship with a lively mix of travelers and local characters. Free popcorn and arguably the best burger in the Valley can help fortify for playing a game of pool.
This small family owned winery specializes in making small batches of over 20 artisan wines guaranteeing you’ll always find something that fits your taste at Mayo.
Take a docent led tour of one of North America’s largest and most important collections of temperate climate Asian plants. The 25 acres display these rare and endangered shrubs in a setting of water falls, ponds and picturesque views.
Named one of the nation’s “top 10 places to ride a horse” by USA Today, Triple Creek offers rides in the back country of Jack London Park. Guides, Dom and Erin lead horseback riders on trails that meander through redwood trees and old growth oak woodlands, past ancient winery ruins and beautiful vineyards with Valley of the Moon vistas.
Valley of the Moon at Madrone Estate
It is legend that Jack London stopped at this more than 150-year-old winery for a glass of wine before heading back to Beauty Ranch. Present day techniques of sustainable farming and environmental stewardship would align with Jack’s early pioneering values making it a favorite haunt today if he were still alive. One of the first wineries in Sonoma Valley, relax on their sunny patio amid some of the regions oldest zinfandel vines and taste the results of when old vines meet state-of-the-art winemaking.
Located in Jack London Village, Yeti restaurant offers the finest Nepalese/Indian cuisine from more than 5,000 years of cultural and culinary traditions. Try tender tandoori meats, fragrant curries or lobster marsala in coconut cream while gazing at the soothing views of the gardens above Sonoma Creek.
