1. Jack London State Historic Park
© Jack London State Historic Park
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What is Jack London State Historic Park?
- Jack London State Historic Park is a National Historic Landmark and former home of the famous writer and adventurer Jack London.
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How large is the park?
- The park spans 1,400 acres and features stunning views and historic buildings.
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What unique landmarks can visitors find?
- Visitors can see a 2,000-year-old giant Redwood tree, the ruins of a 19th-century winery, and the cottage where Jack London wrote.
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What are the historic highlights of the park?
- Notable attractions include:
- House of Happy Walls Museum – dedicated to Jack London.
- London’s gravesite overlooking Valley of the Moon.
- Ruins of Wolf House – London’s 1911 dream house.
- Beauty Ranch – Jack London’s farming venture.
- A log bathhouse and stone dam at the lake.
Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA, Phone: 707-938-5216
2. Sonoma Botanical Garden
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What is Sonoma Botanical Garden?
- Self-described as “not your typical botanical garden,” Sonoma Botanical Garden features wild Asian woodlands and is among the largest wild-sourced Asian plant collections in the world.
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Where is the garden located?
- The garden is situated in an abandoned quarry, symbolizing a transformation into a thriving green oasis.
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Did the 2017 fire affect Sonoma Botanical Garden?
- Although the surrounding ashy, barren hills were decimated in a 2017 fire, the garden was thankfully untouched.
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What can visitors enjoy at the Woodland Garden?
- Visitors can experience the unique colors, patterns, and textures of the Woodland Garden.
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What is Jane’s Garden?
- Jane’s Garden, named after the founder, is an English-style garden featuring Asian species, blossoming cherry trees, gazebos, arbors, mature oak trees, and a fountain.
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What other gardens are at Sonoma Botanical Garden?
- The garden also features the stunning Chinese Heritage Rose Garden and Stewartia Grove, a serene garden of flowering trees.
Sonoma Botanical Garden, 12841 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen, CA, Phone: 707-996-3166
Activities and Attractions for Couples:
3. Morton’s Warm Springs Resort
© Morton’s Warm Springs Resort
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What is Morton’s Warm Springs Resort?
- Morton’s Warm Springs Resort is a sanctuary of geothermal springs located in Sonoma County’s Valley of the Moon.
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How long has the resort been in operation?
- The mid-century resort has been welcoming city dwellers from San Francisco to Oakland since the 1950s.
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What activities can visitors enjoy?
- Guests can enjoy picnics, barbecues, recreation activities, and swimming in the mineral springs.
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What amenities are available at the resort?
- Visitors will find:
- Two geothermal pools and a wading pool
- Changing rooms and showers
- Sonoma Creek access
- Creekside barbecue and picnic sites
- An organic café
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What sports and games are available?
- Guests can enjoy horseshoe pits, lawn games, ping pong tables, a baseball field, and a sand volleyball court.
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When is the resort open?
- The season runs from early May through late September.
Morton’s Warm Springs Resort, 1651 Warm Springs Road, Glen Ellen, CA, Phone: 707-833-5511
4. Triple Creek Horse Outfit
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What is Triple Creek Horse Outfit?
- Triple Creek Horse Outfit is a horseback riding business owned and operated by a young local couple, with the owner having been a horse wrangler before starting the business.
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Where does Triple Creek Horse Outfit operate?
- The business operates from Jack London’s Beauty Ranch within Jack London State Historic Park.
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What can visitors expect on a guided horseback tour?
- Riders will meander through oak woodlands, groves of towering redwoods, past world-class vineyards, and alongside shimmering creeks in quiet meadows.
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Are the horses suitable for all riders?
- Yes, the horses are gentle and suitable for all levels of riders.
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Is there an additional fee to enter the park?
- Yes, visitors must pay to enter Jack London State Historic Park, which is separate from the riding tour fees.
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What perks come with a guided horseback tour?
- Two perks included with guided tours are:
- A Cottage Tour pass
- Tickets for Benziger Family Winery tastings
Triple Creek Horse Outfit, 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA, Phone: 707-887-8700
Glen Ellen Wineries
5. Wellington Cellars
© Wellington Cellars
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What is Wellington Cellars?
- Wellington Cellars is a family-owned winery known for producing estate wines from 100-year-old vines.
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When did Wellington Cellars change ownership?
- In 2014, the winery changed hands from one family to another, with the new owners focusing on hand-crafted wines produced exclusively from the winery’s 24 acres.
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What types of grapes are grown at Wellington Cellars?
- The vineyards feature a variety of grapes, including:
- Cabernet
- Chardonnay
- Marsanne
- Roussanne
- Sauvignon
- Malbec
- Grenache
- Merlot
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Does Wellington Cellars have any historic vines?
- Yes, there is an old-vine Zinfandel that dates back to 1882.
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What new additions opened in 2019?
- In 2019, the estate opened a renovated tasting room and a new barrel room.
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What is the winery’s production goal?
- Wellington Cellars aims to produce French-Bordeaux wines, with an annual production target of 3,500 cases.
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Does Wellington Cellars offer wine tasting tours?
- Yes, they offer estate wine tasting tours to educate the public.
Wellington Cellars, 11600 Dunbar Road, Glen Ellen, CA, Phone: 707-934-8604
6. Benziger Family Winery
© Benziger Family Winery
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What is Benziger Family Winery?
- Benziger Family Winery has been producing wines for over 30 years and is known for its commitment to sustainable organic farming using Biodynamic methods.
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Has Benziger Family Winery won any awards?
- Yes, the winery won the 2018 People’s Choice Award for “Best Winery Tour and Tasting Room.”
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What types of winery experiences are available?
- Guests can choose from five unique winery experiences:
- Behind-the-Scenes Tour – Includes a guided tour of the Sonoma Mountain winery, estate, and wine cave, along with barrel tastings and seated tastings in the cave.
- Biodynamic Vineyard Tram Tour – A scenic tour showcasing the winery’s Biodynamic farming.
- Pinot Noir “Taste of Terroir” Experience – A one-of-a-kind Pinot Noir tasting experience.
- Exclusive Tasting & Lunch – A special experience with one of the Benziger family members.
- Signature Wine Tasting – A curated tasting of the winery’s best selections.
Benziger Family Winery, 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA, Phone: 888 490 2739
7. Imagery Estate Winery & Art Gallery
© Imagery Estate Winery & Art Gallery
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What is Imagery Estate Winery & Art Gallery?
- Imagery Estate Winery & Art Gallery is a Benziger family property dedicated to experimentation and the crafting of rare wines from uncommon varietals.
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What types of wines does Imagery Estate Winery specialize in?
- The estate focuses on unique varietals such as Lagrein, Tempranillo, and Malbec.
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What can visitors experience at Imagery Estate?
- Visitors can enjoy both an array of rare wines and the estate’s unique art collection.
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What tasting experiences are available?
- The estate offers two tasting options:
- Main Bar Tasting – A casual experience featuring five small production wine samples with no reservations required.
- Semi-Private Collection Tasting – A seated tasting experience that includes five coveted varietals and features works of art.
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Can guests bring food to Imagery Estate Winery?
- Yes, guests are welcome to bring their own picnic basket and enjoy vineyard views at shaded outdoor tables.
Imagery Estate Winery & Art Gallery, 1435 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen, CA, Phone: 877-550-4278
8. Loxton Winery
© Loxton Winery
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What is Loxton Winery?
- Loxton Winery is a five-acre estate vineyard located in Sonoma Valley.
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How much wine does Loxton Winery produce?
- The winery produces 3,000 cases annually, with 40% of the wine coming directly from the estate.
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Can visitors watch the winemaking process?
- Yes, Loxton Winery is a great place to watch the winemaking process from vine to glass.
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What types of tours are available?
- Vineyard Walkabout Tours – Offered on weekends, these tours provide an in-depth look at the agricultural side of the vineyard, followed by a private seated tasting.
- Crush Pad Tours – Offered seasonally during harvest, these tours allow guests to watch grapes being sorted and crushed up close.
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What tasting experiences are available?
- Relaxed seated tastings featuring limited wines are available in the Reserve Room with reservations.
11466 Dunbar Road, Glen Ellen, CA, Phone: 707-935-7221
9. B.R. Cohn Winery
© B.R. Cohn Winery
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What is B.R. Cohn Winery?
- B.R. Cohn Winery is a winery nestled in Valley of the Moon, between the Mayacamas Mountains and Sonoma Mountain.
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Where are tastings held?
- Tastings take place in a meticulously preserved 1920s estate home that offers a comfortable and casual atmosphere.
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What tasting experiences are available?
- Tastes of B.R. Cohn – A food and wine pairing experience featuring estate wines and olive oils with gourmet bites.
- Farm to Bottle – A walking tour of Olive Hill Estate, which includes wine tasting.
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What can visitors find in the gourmet shop?
- Guests can taste hand-crafted, barrel-aged vinegars, gourmet olive oils, and charcuterie.
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What is special about the memorabilia room?
- Owner Bruce Cohn invites guests to explore the memorabilia room, which commemorates his 45 years managing The Doobie Brothers rock-n-roll band.
15000 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen, CA, Phone: 707-938-4064
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