Overview
Glen Ellen is a community of 800 people (2010) in the Sonoma Valley wine region in Sonoma County. It was the home of the writer Jack London. Glen Ellen is home to the state park that bears Jack London's name, and to world class restaurants and wineries. Glen Ellen is a romantic, sleepy little town that is a great place to get way from the hustle and bustle of city life.
5 sights · 11 things to do · 8 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Glen Ellen
Jack London State Historic Park
The estate of the famous writer Jack London, who wrote Call of the Wild. Home of the Jack London Wolf House, which burned to the ground in 1913, shortly before it was completed. London died in 1916, and his wife, Charmia…
Bouverie Audubon Preserve
This amazing 500-acre preserve was donated by David Bouverie in 1979 and is home to 130 species of birds and 350 species of flowering plants. In order to maintain the pristine environment visitation is highly regulated. …
Dunbar Elementary 5th Grade Melodrama
One weekend a year, in late May, the whole town - and quite a few visitors - show up to Dunbar Elementary School to watch and participate in the 5th Grade Melodrama. Held on the outdoor "Haver Stage" with grass and blank…
Quarryhill Botanical Garden
One of the largest collections of scientifically- documented, wild-sourced Asian plants in the western world. Docent-lead tours are available if scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
Sonoma Valley Regional Park
162 acres of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Once a part of the Eldridge Develop-Mental Center, it is now a fantastic place to take the family on a sunny afternoon. Enjoy pick-nick tables and the dog park. A…
Horseback riding in Jack London State Park
The guided tour rides, conducted by the Triple Creek Horse Outfit, meander past acres of vineyards, through open oak woodlands, and beneath shady groves of tall redwoods. Longer rides may include lunch.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 38°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Sonoma)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- STS Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa — 19 mi away. Directions
- CCR Buchanan Field, Concord — 36 mi away. Directions
- OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, Oakland — 47 mi away (major hub). Directions
Glen Ellen is 60 miles north of San Francisco and is relatively near to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland Airport, and Sacramento Airport. There is also an airport in nearby Santa Rosa:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $120–$150 a night (typical $150), from 3 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$150, mid-range ~$200, comfortable ~$270.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Bouverie Audubon Preserve, Quarryhill Botanical Garden, Elizabeth Anne Perrone Dog Park
- Lunch The Fig Cafe
- Afternoon Benziger Family Winery, Little Vineyards
- Dinner Garden Court Cafe
- Evening Jack London Lodge Saloon
Day 2
- Morning Sonoma Valley Regional Park, Dunbar Elementary 5th Grade Melodrama, Glen Ellen Village Fair
- Lunch Glen Ellen Star
- Afternoon BR Cohn Winery, Mayo Family Winery
- Dinner Glen Ellen Inn Oyster Grill & Martini Bar
Day 3
- Morning Jack London State Historic Park, Horseback riding in Jack London State Park, Broadway Under the Stars
- Lunch Glen Ellen Village Market
- Afternoon Imagery Estate Winery, Abbot's Passage Winery & Mercantile
- Dinner Les Pascals
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
In downtown Glen Ellen:
In Jack London Village (14301 Arnold Dr.)
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Glen Ellen is 60 miles north of San Francisco and is relatively near to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland Airport, and Sacramento Airport. There is also an airport in nearby Santa Rosa:
- Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) 2290 Airport Boulevard. +1 707-565–7240. Direct flights daily to and from Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
Get around
Glen Ellen is a very small town with only one stop light. Walking is a fantastic was to see the "downtown", but to get to the wineries (see below), driving is necessary.
Please do not drink and drive. It only takes a few wine tastings to be over the legal limit. Be safe and have a designated driver. Or hire a limo for the day.
See
See Bouverie Audubon Preserve
This amazing 500-acre preserve was donated by David Bouverie in 1979 and is home to 130 species of birds and 350 species of flowering plants. In order to maintain the pristine environment visitation is highly regulated. Public tours are offered one or two Saturdays a month and are well worth calling in advanced to be a part of. Wear hiking books and explore the natural beauty including breath taking waterfalls and vistas.
See Dunbar Elementary 5th Grade Melodrama
One weekend a year, in late May, the whole town - and quite a few visitors - show up to Dunbar Elementary School to watch and participate in the 5th Grade Melodrama. Held on the outdoor "Haver Stage" with grass and blanket seating, this play is always a hoot. Boo and Hiss at the villain, Sign for the heroin and Cheer the hero through their adventures. Bring a pick-nick and a bottle of wine and enjoy the fun and local culture.
See Jack London State Historic Park (http://www.jacklondonpark.com/)
The estate of the famous writer Jack London, who wrote Call of the Wild. Home of the Jack London Wolf House, which burned to the ground in 1913, shortly before it was completed. London died in 1916, and his wife, Charmian, lived there until her own death. This park combines the literary with agriculture: Jack London wrote many stories here so he could pay for his beloved ranch. He designed and built the "Pig Palace" and other stone buildings and developed sustainable farming techniques here. Visitors can also see the ruins of two wineries, which were destroyed during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The park has amazing hiking, wildlife, birding, and, in the summer time, live music events. There are two short historic trails, and 29 miles of backcountry hiking trails through trees, spring wildflowers, and beautiful views. Some trails are difficult, and none permit dogs or smoking. Bicycling and horseback riding on some trails. There are several picnic areas, and a wheelchair-accessible portable restroom is on the mile-long path to the Wolf House. Water is sold in the House of Happy Walls Museum gift store.
*
See Sonoma Valley Regional Park
162 acres of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Once a part of the Eldridge Develop-Mental Center, it is now a fantastic place to take the family on a sunny afternoon. Enjoy pick-nick tables and the dog park. A dog park is also on site. Wildflowers are beautiful in the spring.
Do
Do Elizabeth Anne Perrone Dog Park
Perfect for traveling dog lovers. Elizabeth's Dog Park is a fantastic one acre fenced in play-ground for our furry four-legged friends. There are picnic benches and a gazebo for sitting and avoiding the sun while you watch groups of dogs play together.
Do Glen Ellen Village Fair
The Glen Ellen Village Fair happens once a year, the second Sunday in October, and is well worth wandering through. The majority of Arnold Drive is closed down through town and the street is lined with booths of local good and hand crafts. It opens at 10AM. A parade begins at noon featuring the volunteer fire department, The Sonoma Valley High School marching band and lots of other local groups. Make sure to buy a ticket for the quilt raffle, the quilt is made by 10 local women and is donated every year to raise money for the community.
Do Broadway Under the Stars
The best of Broadway performs at this unique variety series every summer at Jack London State Park. The performances take place in the historic ruins and local wines are served as the sunsets in the Valley of the Moon and Broadway classics are performed by insanely talented performers. An award winning series, it's a great escape for Broadway lovers, but a total cheese fest for those of you who aren't.
Wine tasting
Do Benziger Family Winery
This truly family winery, located on the hill above Glen Ellen, has endeared itself to the local community and tourist alike through generous giving to Dunbar Elementary School and amazing wines. This is one of the few wineries that has fun activities for kids too. The "Biodynamic Vineyard Tram Tours" take all visitors on a tractor driven tram through the winery. $15 for 21+ (includes wine tasting) $5 for under 21. If you want to taste the most amazing wines take the time to do the Reserve Room tasting $15 for 5 reserve/biodynamic wine tastings. 20% of Benziger's wines are organic.
Do BR Cohn Winery
BR Cohn Winery is a vineyard, a winery, and an event destination. Check their website for charity concerts, harvest dances and other events. In addition to fun events (buy tickets in advance) BR Cohn offers wine tasting and olive oil & vinegar tasting in their beautiful farm house.
Do Little Vineyards
Little Vineyards was founded in 1996 by Joan and Rich Little, and it is, just as its name suggests, little. 25 acres total and only 17 acres of vineyards, Little Vineyards makes amazing wines in small batches. Their wine tasting is the best value in Sonoma County, only $5 for a 5 wine flight. If you want to emerge yourself in the wine country, consider staying at their "Cottage" in the vineyard. (For reservations call +1 707-477-6298.)
Do Mayo Family Winery
A great place to end your wine tasting tour. Mayo is open much later than most tasting rooms and is nearly walking distance to many Glen Ellen restaurants. They focus on single-vineyard small batch wines and offer tasting rooms in Sonoma and Kenwood in addition to Glen Ellen.
Buy
Shop Glen Ellen Village Market (Shones)
The Glen Ellen Village Market, commonly called Shones, is the best place to buy anything necessary for a fun pick-nick or a romantic night in. Their staff is very knowledgeable about their wine selection and produce, and their sandwiches are the perfect food to grab before going wine tasting.
Eat
In downtown Glen Ellen:
Eat The Fig Cafe (The Girl and the Fig)
Upscale California cuisine, with complimentary corkage (this means you can bring your own bottle of wine and drink it there for free). Try the fig pizza and leave room for dessert. Popular with locals.
Eat Garden Court Cafe
Best known locally for breakfast. Try one of their seven types of eggs benedict. You can take your dog for breakfast too: Dogs are welcome on the patio and are even given their own menu.
Eat Glen Ellen Star
Exceptional food with an eclectic wine list.
Eat Glen Ellen Inn Oyster Grill & Martini Bar
Features delicious French and Italian-inspired cuisine, all day long
Eat Glen Ellen Village Market
A small grocery store with lots of grab-and-go sandwiches (or made to order), a floor-to-ceiling wine aisle stocked with hyper-local offerings, plus cheeses and spreads galore - a great place to buy picnic items.
Eat Les Pascals
A French-style patisserie - boulangerie - cafe, with delicious food. There are only a few small tables inside, so takeout - particularly during busy times - is best. (There is parking in front, as well as a small parking lot in back.) You can call ahead for a pickup order.
In Jack London Village (14301 Arnold Dr.)
Eat The Mill at Glen Ellen
American-style food with an onsite microbrewery; nice patio.
Eat Yeti Restaurant
Fantastic Indian food. The first "ethnic" food to be offered in Glen Ellen, and well worth the wait. Although prices are par with the nicer French and Californian restaurants in Sonoma County, the food is expertly prepared and a welcome alternative to standard wine country dishes.
Drink
Drink Jack London Lodge Saloon
The only bar in Glen Ellen. Built in 1905, it is covered in Jack London memorabilia. The patronage is a bizarre mixture of tourist and local lushes. Good burgers and creekside patio seating if the parlor-style saloon is not fitting your mood. TVs and pool.
Sleep
As expected for a small town, there are only a handful of hotels in the town.
If you're looking for a camping site, then consider Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Kenwood, about 7 miles north.
Go next
Tired of wine, fine food and natural beauty? Head towards San Francisco for wine, fine food and architectural beauty. Take Arnold Drive to HWY 37 to HWY 101 South. Drive over the beautiful and historic Golden Gate Bridge. Or enjoy outdoor sports in Tahoe, tack HWY 12 to I80, stop at Donner Peak and remember the hardship that pioneers endured to come to California.
Nearby
Kenwood
City / town · 15 listings · 4 mi away
El Verano
City / town · 12 listings · 5 mi away
Sonoma
City / town · 66 listings · 6 mi away
Oakville
City / town · 4 listings · 8 mi away
Rutherford
City / town · 12 listings · 9 mi away
Yountville
City / town · 21 listings · 9 mi away
Rohnert Park
City / town · 26 listings · 10 mi away
St. Helena
City / town · 19 listings · 10 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.