Celebrate Local Author Jack London’s 150th Birthday in the Valley of the Moon

Famed author Jack London's legacy is felt all over, especially in Sonoma Valley. His namesake Glen Ellen park is celebrating his 150th birthday all year long with special events.


By Sonoma Magazine Staff

Author Jack London’s legacy is felt far and wide, but especially in Glen Ellen where he built his dream ranch, now home to Jack London State Historic Park, which is celebrating his 150th birthday all year long with special events.

Here’s a look at London and his namesake park in Glen Ellen, by the numbers.

93,350 visitors to Jack London State Historic Park in 2025.

Jack London State Historic Park
At Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. (Jack London State Historic Park)

8 varieties of fruit trees in the park’s historic orchard, some of which are more than 100 years old.

4,029 books sold at the bookstore in the House of Happy Walls Museum last year. 70% of those were books by Jack London.

Inside the House of Happy Walls Museum at Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen.
Inside the House of Happy Walls Museum at Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. (Sonoma County Tourism)
Summit at Jack London State Historic Park
Summit at Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. (Jack London State Historic Park)

2,370 feet is the highest elevation in the park at the end of the Mountain Spur Trail. It offers views of Sonoma Valley and as far as Mount Diablo, some 45 miles away as the crow flies.

15,200 hours logged last year by 250 park volunteers who do everything from leading tours and hikes to playing the 125-year-old Steinway grand piano in the museum.

3,000 pounds of fruit donated from the historic orchard to Farm to Pantry in 2025.

Volunteer gleaners for Farm to Pantry work a 110-year-old orchard now on Jack London State Park property, harvesting plums and other fruit for Sonoma County people in need. Aug. 14, 2021. (Christian Kallen/Sonoma Index-Tribune)
Volunteer gleaners for Farm to Pantry work at the historic orchard on the Jack London State Park property, harvesting plums and other fruit for Sonoma County people in need. Photographed Aug. 14, 2021. (Christian Kallen / Sonoma Index-Tribune)
Plums in a tree at the 110-year-old orchard at Jack London State Park, awaiting a new life from gleaning by Farm to Pantry. (Karen Preuss for JLSHP)
Plums in a tree at the historic orchard at Jack London State Park, awaiting a new life from gleaning by Farm to Pantry. (Karen Preuss / Jack London State Historic Park)

2,200+ acres of land makes up Jack London State Historic Park, which grew in recent years when 650 acres of open space land from the Sonoma Developmental Center was transferred to California State Parks.

51 tours and programs provided for 24 schools last year.

167,551 words in London’s book, “Valley of the Moon,” his longest. The novel follows the journey of a working-class couple who leave the city in a search for farmland.

Jack London Lodge, Restaurant and Saloon in Glen Ellen.
Decor at the Jack London Lodge, Restaurant and Saloon in Glen Ellen. (Robbi Pengelly / Sonoma Index-Tribune)

750 dollars is how much London made when he sold “The Call of the Wild” to The Saturday Evening Post in 1903. That equates to roughly $27,000 today.

37 entries in the 2026 Young Writers Contest put on by Jack London Park for middle school students. This is the contest’s 11th year.

Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen.
At Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. London’s book “Valley of the Moon,” inspired by his life in Glen Ellen, is his longest. (Tom Deininger / Sonoma County Tourism)

Jack London Park Partners Gala

Jack’s 150th: A Bold Wish, from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026

Enjoy a night of food, wine, and music in the Eucalyptus Grove and among the winery ruins with dinner from Park Avenue Catering and wines provided by Lasseter Family Winery. Tickets: $350. 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen. 707-938-5216, jacklondonpark.com