Literary travelers come to Sonoma not just for the fine food and abundant wine, but for the chance to visit Jack London Historic State Park (2400 London Ranch Rd., Glen Ellen, 707/938-5216, www.parks.ca.gov [1]). Famed author Jack London did in fact live and write in the midst of rural Sonoma [2] at the beginning of the 20th century.
On weekends, docents offer tours of the park, which include talks on the life and history of Mr. London. Explore the surviving buildings on London’s prized Beauty Ranch or hike up Sonoma Mountain and check out the (artificial) Lake and Bath House.
The pretty stone “House of Happy Walls,” the creation of Jack London’s wife, houses a small museum (daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.). Though there’s no camping at Jack London State Park, you can bring a picnic to enjoy on the attractive grounds.
Links:
[1] http://www.parks.ca.gov
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/wine-country/sonoma-and-carneros