Glen Ellen

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.

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:

• Classic Limousines +1 707 938-3879
• Wine Country Limousines +1 707 313-5513

• Bouverie Audubon Preserve

  phone: +1 707 938-4554
  This amazing 500 acre preserve was donated by David Bouverie in 1979 and is home to 130 species of birds and 350 species of flowing 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.

• Dunbar Elementary 5th Grade Melodrama

  address: Dunbar Elementary School 11700 Dunbar Rd
  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.

• Jack London State Park

  phone: +1 707-938-5216
  address: 2400 London Ranch Rd
  The estate of the famous writer Jack London who wrote Call of the Wild. This park has many day hikes and horseback riding trails and is home to the Jack London Wolf House.This park is the historic home of American author, Jack London, and his wife Charmian. They lived here for the last years of both of their lives. London built his dream home, Beauty Ranch, and before it was finished it burned tragically, destroyed the property. He died soon thereafter, and Chariman lived there until her own death. They are buried on the property. The park has amazing hiking, wildlife, birding and in the summer time, live music events.

• Horseback riding in Jack London State Park

  phone: +1 707 887-8700
  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.

• Quarryhill Botanical Garden

  phone: +1 (707) 996-3166
  address: 12841 Sonoma Hwy
  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

  phone: +1 707-539-8092
  address: 13630 Sonoma Hwy (Hwy 12)
  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.

• Elizabeth Anne Perrone Dog Park

  address: 13630 Sonoma Highway
  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.

• Glen Ellen Village Fair

  address: Arnold Dr
  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.

• Broadway Under the Stars

  address: Jack London State Park
  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

• Benziger Family Winery

  address: 1883 London Ranch Rd
  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.

• BR Cohn Winery

  address: 15000 Sonoma Highway (Hwy 12)
  Great Wine! Great Parties! BR Cohn Winery is much more than just a vineyard and a winery, it is a 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.

• Imagery Estate Winery

  phone: +1 707 935-4515
  address: 14335 Sonoma Highway (Hwy 12)

• Little Vineyards

  phone: +1 707 996-2750
  address: 15188 Sonoma Hwy (Hwy 12)
  Little Vineyards was founded in 1996 by Joan and Rich Little, and it is, just as it's 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)

• Mayo Family Winery

  phone: +1 707 938-9401
  address: 13101 Arnold Dr
  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.

• Valley of the Moon Winery

  phone: +1 707 939-4510 (Tasting Room)
  address: 777 Madrone Rd

• Wellington Vineyards

  phone: +1 707 939-0708
  address: 11600 Dunbar Rd
  Sip wine while enjoying the view over Wellington's Old vine vineyard planted in 1924. Call in advanced for tours of the winery.

• Wine Country Chocolates

  phone: +1 707 996-1010
  address: 14301 Arnold Dr
  Wine + Chocolate = Heavenly. Enjoy the flavors of Sonoma County in the sweet body of one of their chocolates. Take the kids - or the young at heart- to their Chocolate Tasting room and indulge yourself.

• Glen Ellen Village Market

  phone: +1 707 996-6728
  address: 13751 Arnold Dr
  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 knowlage able about their wine selection and produce, and their sandwiches are the perfect food to grab before going wine tasting.

In downtown Glen Ellen:

• The Fig Cafe

  phone: +1 707 938-2130
  address: 13640 Arnold Dr
  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.

• Garden Court Cafe

  phone: +1 707 935-1565
  address: 13647 Arnold Dr
  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.

• Glen Ellen Star

  phone: +1 707 343-1384
  address: 13648 Arnold Dr
  Exceptional food with an eclectic wine list.

• Glen Ellen Inn Oyster Grill & Martini Bar

  phone: +1 707 996-6409
  address: 13670 Arnold Dr
  Features delicious French and Italian-inspired cuisine, all day long

• The Wolf House Restaurant

  phone: +1 707 996-4401
  address: 13740 Arnold Dr
  Although not actually part of the Wolf House, found at the Jack London Ranch, the decor of the Wolf House matches the time area when Jack London roamed the streets of Glen Ellen. During the Spring, Summer, and Fall, enjoy outdoor seating overlooking the Sonoma Creek.

In Jack London Village (14301 Arnold Dr.)

• Aventine Glen EllenItalian eatery with an onsite microbrewery and excellent rustic Italian food.

• Olive and Vine

  phone: +1 707 996-9152

• Yeti Restaurant

  phone: +1 707 996-9930
  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.

• Jack London Lodge Saloon

  phone: +1 707 996-1300
  address: 13740 Arnold Dr
  The only bar in Glen Ellen. Built in 1905, it is covered in Jack London memorabilia. The patronage is a bazaar mixture of tourist and local lushes. Good burgers and patio seating if the parlor style saloon is not fitting your mood. TV's and pool.

• Gaige House

  phone: +1 707 935-0237
  address: 13540 Arnold Dr
  Inn bed and breakfast.

• Glenelly Inn

  phone: +1 707 996-6730
  address: 5131 Warm Strpings Rd
  Comfortable and cute cottage and rooms. The price includes a good breakfast.

• Jack London Lodge

  phone: +1 707 938-8510
  address: 13740 Arnold Dr
  Connected to the Wolf House Restaurant, this lodge offers period decorated rooms with a lovely patio and swimming pool. $10 weekday discount for AAA members.

• Relais du Soleil

  phone: +1 707 833-6264
  address: 1210 Nuns Canyon Rd
  A ranch house-style inn with rooms in the main house and the bunk house. Beautiful location off the beaten path, serving breakfast on the patio when the weather permits.

• Olea Hotel

  phone: +1 707-996-5131
  address: 5131 Warm Springs Road
  Olea Hotel was built around 1900, though it has been remodeled since then. Dog-friendly rooms are available, as are spa and massage packages. Every day there is a complimentary wine tasting in the lobby.

• US Post Office 13720 Arnold Rd. +1 707 996-9233

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.