Jack London State Park

Continue on up the hill from Benziger to Jack London State Park where Jack London is buried. This lovely wooded park was established as a tribute to the famous author who had such an impact on the Sonoma Valley. This strikingly handsome man lived a life of rugged adventure and wrote passionately about life’s struggles and how to survive them with integrity. In the 16 years prior to his death at age 40 he wrote 50 novels, which were immensely popular and are today considered classics. Two of his more renowned novels are Call of the Wild and Sea Wolf. This park offers a fitting tribute to Jack London, a courageous, dynamic man, full of life and concern for others. Open all year 9:30 am to 5 pm (7 pm in summer), admission is $3 per vehicle. www.parks.sonoma.net/jlpark.html. In the park you can visit the ruins of Wolf House (London’s dream house, which mysteriously burned to the ground the night of its completion), Beauty Cottage (the cottage where London wrote much of his later work is staffed from noon to 4 pm on weekends), and the House of Happy Walls (the home that Charmian London built after her husband’s death, open 10 am to 5 pm). This last building is now an interesting museum depicting London’s life through numerous photographs, writings, and furnishings that belonged to the author. From the museum, paths lead to the other homes and the gravesite. After visiting the park, return on Arnold Drive into Glen Ellen, turn right, and travel south (past the Sonoma State Home) to Madrone where you turn left, crossing over to Hwy 12, which takes you into Sonoma.