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Free Traveling Guides » States » California » Wine Country
Jack London State Historic Park
Jack London State Historic Park was created in 1959 when 40 acres of writer Jack London’s estate was acquired by the state after it was gifted by Irving Shepard, London’s nephew and heir to his 1,400 acre (600 ha) Beauty Ranch.
Today Jack London State Historic Park is more than 800 acres (300 ha) and includes many buildings of the Beauty Ranch including the cottage where Jack London wrote many of his later work. One can also visit London’s grave, see the ruins of Wolf House and Charmian London’s House of Happy Walls, which now houses a museum.
Jack London State Historic Park is just 20 minutes north of Sonoma and it is really interesting to visit with its picnic area, stables, stone barns, silos and the cottage. A walk of 3/4 mile (1.2 km) will take you to a dam, lake and a bathhouse that was built by Jack London. The picnic area has tables and barbecue pits. Ground fire and portable stoves are not allowed.
The Jack London State Historic Park has many hiking trails available which lead through woodlands full of fir and oaks giving an awe-inspiring view of the Valley of the Moon. Another trail in the park will take you to Jack London’s grave and London’s dream house, the Wolf House which was destroyed in 1913 by a fire.
Some of the trails in the park permit bicycling and horseback riding. So, it is a good idea to carry your bicycle with you. The horseback rides can be reserved through Triple Creek Horse Outfit. For those of you interested in camping, facility is available at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park which is quite close to the Jack London State Historic Park.
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