Glen Ellen, California Business Directory
Welcome to Glen Ellen — a charming village nestled in the heart of Sonoma Valley, often called the "Valley of the Moon." This unincorporated community in Sonoma County is famous for its world-class wineries, historic landmarks, and natural beauty. Glen Ellen was the beloved home of legendary author Jack London, who called his ranch here "Beauty Ranch" and wrote many of his famous works in this scenic valley.
Named after Ellen Stuart, wife of Charles V. Stuart who established a 1,000-acre vineyard here in 1868, Glen Ellen has grown from its agricultural roots into a premier Wine Country destination while maintaining its small-town character and rural charm.
Local Government Information
Glen Ellen is an unincorporated community, meaning it does not have its own city government. Local services and governance are provided by Sonoma County. Glen Ellen is located within Sonoma County Board of Supervisors District 1.
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Address: 575 Administration Drive, Room 100A, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone: (707) 565-2241
Website: sonomacounty.gov
North Sonoma Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC)
The North Sonoma Valley MAC serves the communities of Glen Ellen, Kenwood, and Eldridge. This advisory body represents the interests of the community and provides a bridge for communication between County government and local residents.
Emergency Services
Fire Protection: Sonoma Valley Fire District
Law Enforcement: Sonoma County Sheriff's Office
Emergency: 911
Parks & Recreation
Glen Ellen is surrounded by exceptional parks and natural areas, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and nature lovers.
Jack London State Historic Park
Address: 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Phone: (707) 938-5216
Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Daily (Closed December 25)
Website: jacklondonpark.com
This 1,400-acre park preserves author Jack London's "Beauty Ranch" where he lived from 1905 until his death in 1916. Explore 29 miles of hiking trails, visit the ruins of Wolf House, tour the House of Happy Walls Museum, and see the cottage where London wrote many of his famous works. The park showcases London's innovative farming techniques and offers stunning views of the Valley of the Moon.
Sonoma Valley Regional Park
Address: 13630 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Website: parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
This 202-acre park features the paved, ADA-accessible Valley of the Moon Trail that winds 1.2 miles through magnificent oak woodlands. Additional unpaved trails connect to surrounding ridges with beautiful valley views. The park includes picnic areas, the Elizabeth Perrone Dog Park, and is part of the Sonoma Valley Wildlife Corridor.
Sonoma Botanical Garden (Formerly Quarryhill)
Address: 12841 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Phone: (707) 996-3166
Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed Tuesdays)
Website: sonomabg.org
Home to one of the largest collections of wild-sourced Asian plants in North America. This 25-acre botanical garden features rare and endangered species from China, Japan, Tibet, and the Himalayas, along with California native plants. Enjoy waterfalls, ponds, and nearly 3 miles of winding paths through this unique woodland setting.
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Wineries & Tasting Rooms
Benziger Family Winery
Address: 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Phone: (707) 935-3000
Hours: Open Daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Website: benziger.com
A pioneer in Biodynamic farming, Benziger Family Winery has crafted world-class Sonoma County wines since 1981. Take a tram tour through their certified Biodynamic estate vineyard on Sonoma Mountain and enjoy tastings of their award-winning wines. Family and dog friendly.
B.R. Cohn Winery
Address: 15000 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Hours: Open Daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Website: brcohn.com
Known for spectacular vineyard views and award-winning wines, B.R. Cohn offers a laid-back tasting experience with warm, friendly hospitality. Discover their unique musical heritage and enjoy premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel wines.
Restaurants & Dining
Glen Ellen Star
Address: 13648 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Phone: (707) 343-1384
Hours: Open for Dinner Nightly, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (until 9:30 PM Fri-Sat)
Website: glenellenstar.com
A Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant featuring wood-fired California cuisine. Chef Ari Weiswasser sources ingredients from nearby farms to create seasonal dishes including pizzas, pasta, and roasted meats. Reservations recommended.
Shopping & Markets
Glen Ellen Village Market
Address: 13751 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Hours: Daily 6:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Website: glenellenvillagemarket.org
The heart of Glen Ellen village, this community market offers high-quality groceries, a full deli with gourmet sandwiches, hot food bar, salad bar, rotisserie chicken, local wines, and fresh produce. The perfect stop for picnic supplies before visiting Jack London State Park.
Schools & Education
Glen Ellen is served by the Sonoma Valley Unified School District, which provides education for students from kindergarten through 12th grade throughout the Sonoma Valley region.
Sonoma Valley Unified School District
Address: 17850 Railroad Avenue, Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: (707) 935-6000
Website: sonomaschools.org
Note: Dunbar Elementary School, located at 11700 Dunbar Road in Glen Ellen and once the second-oldest school in California, closed in 2023.
Nearby Higher Education
Sonoma State University is located approximately 15 miles north in Rohnert Park, and Santa Rosa Junior College has multiple campuses throughout Sonoma County.
About Glen Ellen
History
Glen Ellen's history dates to the 1850s when settlers arrived in the fertile Sonoma Valley. In 1859, Charles V. Stuart purchased land from the Rancho Agua Caliente land grant and began developing what would become a 1,000-acre vineyard. He named the area "Glen Ellen" after his wife, Ellen. The surrounding village took the same name.
The area gained literary fame when Jack London, already a celebrated author of classics like "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang," moved to Glen Ellen in 1905. He purchased land he called "Beauty Ranch" and lived here until his death in 1916, writing many novels including "The Valley of the Moon," which celebrates the Sonoma Valley region.
Geography & Climate
Glen Ellen sits at the base of Sonoma Mountain in the heart of Sonoma Valley, approximately 6 miles northwest of the City of Sonoma. The area enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters — ideal conditions for grape growing and outdoor recreation.
Wine Country
Glen Ellen is part of the Sonoma Valley and Sonoma Mountain American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). The region's diverse microclimates and rocky hillside terrain produce exceptional wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. The village is home to numerous boutique wineries and tasting rooms, offering intimate experiences that showcase the best of Sonoma County viticulture.
2017 Wildfires
Glen Ellen was severely impacted by the Nuns Fire during the October 2017 Northern California wildfires. The community has demonstrated remarkable resilience in rebuilding and recovering while maintaining its historic character and natural beauty.
Visitor Information
Getting Here
Glen Ellen is located along Highway 12 (Sonoma Highway) in the Sonoma Valley. The village is approximately:
- 6 miles north of Sonoma
- 12 miles southeast of Santa Rosa
- 50 miles north of San Francisco via Highway 101 and Highway 12
- 35 miles from Oakland International Airport
- 15 miles from Sonoma County Airport (Charles M. Schulz)
Best Time to Visit
Glen Ellen is beautiful year-round. Spring (March-May) brings wildflowers and mild temperatures. Summer (June-August) is peak season with warm weather perfect for wine tasting and outdoor activities. Fall (September-November) features grape harvest, colorful foliage, and fewer crowds. Winter (December-February) offers peaceful scenery, uncrowded tasting rooms, and seasonal events.
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Events and Things to do in Glen Ellen CA January 2026
Date Event Location Time Category Link Dec 31, 2025 New Year’s Eve Dinner at Songbird Parlour Songbird Parlour (Glen Ellen) 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM Restaurant / NYE Event details Dec 31, 2025 New Year’s Eve Soiree at Santé Santé at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn (Sonoma Valley) (See event page) Food & Wine / NYE […]
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Date / Period Event / Activity Description / Notes Dec 6–7, 2025 (Sat–Sun) Glen Ellen Holiday Wine Trail 2025 Explore a one-mile stretch of Glen Ellen wineries — taste at several small, limited-production tasting rooms; perfect for holiday wine lovers. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} Weekend evenings (select dates) through December 2025 Gardens Aglow at Sonoma Botanical Garden Holiday-season […]
Events and Things to do in Glen Ellen CA November 2025
Date Event Time Location / Notes Nov 1 (Sat) Glen Ellen Village Market – Local Fall Sampling 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Glen Ellen Village Market, seasonal food sampling Nov 2 (Sun) Jack London State Park – Docent-Led Historic Tour 11:00 AM Jack London SHP, House of Happy Walls Museum Nov 7 (Fri) Sonoma Valley […]