Methods to Spend One Day in Glen Ellen, California

Due to its tiny dimension, Glen Ellen is usually ignored in California’s Sonoma Valley, dismissed as a spot you cross via reasonably than plan round. That could be a mistake. Positioned about an hour and a half north of town, it makes for a simple day journey from San Francisco and packs in way over you’ll count on.

I’ve spent a superb period of time exploring this little nook of wine nation, partly as a result of it’s stunning, and partly as a result of it’s residence to one in all my favourite eating places in Northern California (Shoutout to Glen Ellen Star!).

Right here’s the precise method I might spend a full day right here. Sure, a full day. It may be performed even within the tiniest of cities.

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Tea & Pastries at Les Pascals Patisserie et Boulangerie

Begin your morning at Les Pascals Patisserie et Boulangerie, a modest little bakery that feels somewhat prefer it was lifted out of a small French village and positioned in Glen Ellen. Right here you’ll discover all of your fancy espresso drinks and the prettiest pastries (I liked their fruit tart!). The inside is cute, but when the climate is sweet choose a bistro desk on their patio.

Hike at Jack London State Historic Park

A brief drive brings you to you subsequent cease, Jack London State Historic Park. Jack London, who wrote The Name of the Wild, spent greater than a decade in Glen Ellen, and the panorama that formed his writing is now yours to roam. The park is a mixture of redwoods, open meadows, and mild ridge strains. And the paths vary from quick and easy to half-day treks.

In the event you’re following this itinerary, you’ll have a busy day so the Wolf Home Path is a simple choice that additionally brings you to the ruins of London’s grand stone residence. Plus, don’t skip The Home of Pleased Partitions museum that offers a considerate snapshot of his life.

Take the SculptureWALK at Jack London Village

Earlier than lunch, cease by Jack London Village for the SculptureWALK. Greater than two dozen items are scattered across the courtyards and gardens. It’s like stepping right into a small out of doors gallery that occurs to spill right into a creekside setting. Every little thing is on the market, although a number of the bigger items would require a beneficiant transport finances!

See in the event you can spot one in all my favorites: Blue Determine by Mark Chatterley. 

➞ PS: Obtain the SuculptureWALK map earlier than you go.

Lunch at The Mill at Glen Ellen

The Mill at Glen Ellen is the place historical past and good meals sit comfortably on the similar desk. Inbuilt 1839, it is among the oldest constructions within the area, initially constructed to reap redwood and Douglas fir. In 1856, it was offered to early winemaker Joshua Chauvet, who transformed it right into a grist mill utilizing stones his father introduced from France. After milling led to 1881, the constructing went on to accommodate the Glen Ellen Vineyard and Distillery for almost a century. In 2020, restaurateur Sanjeev reopened it as The Mill, honoring its previous whereas giving it new life.

For lunch, I like to recommend the heat flatbread topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, almonds, fried chickpeas, and recent herbs.Yum! The Rachel on rye was additionally scrumptious stacked with pastrami, Swiss, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing.

Stroll By the Sonoma Botanical Backyard

After lunch, take pleasure in extra of the outside on the Sonoma Botanical Backyard. It’s half backyard, half conservation challenge, and half quiet refuge from the world. The paths wind via uncommon Asian and California native vegetation, every flip bringing one thing sudden. There are shaded benches the place you possibly can pause and small pockets of quiet that really feel virtually meditative.

Wine Tasting at Imagery Property Vineyard

Imagery Property Vineyard has a playful, artistic vitality that instantly units it aside. The wines give attention to unusual varietals like Lagrein, however nonetheless have all of the favorites too. I’m a sucker for his or her Primitivo!

The wine is purpose sufficient to cease, but additionally don’t miss their distinctive paintings. Each bottle options authentic paintings, and the tasting room doubles as a gallery, with about 100 items on view at any time. 

You may sip on the bar, settle into the out of doors picnic tables, or pair your tasting with a gallery tour.

Pop into the Saloon at Jack London Lodge

Pop into The Saloon at Jack London Lodge in the event you nonetheless have room for another drink. This relaxed, brick-walled bar feels comfortably untouched, the sort of place that’s unpretentious, welcoming, and stuffed with tales—all of the issues {that a} good saloon must be.

The group is a mixture of vacationers and locals, together with winemakers who’re at all times joyful to speak store. Pictures and memorabilia tracing Glen Ellen’s previous and Jack London’s life line the partitions, supplying you with one thing to linger over when you calm down. 

Make a Pitstop on the Home with the Previous Fuel Pumps

As you make your method towards Glen Ellen Star for dinner, take a brief detour alongside Heat Springs Street. On the southwest facet of the street, only a block or two from the restaurant, there’s a residence coated in classic fuel pumps, metallic indicators, and outdated automobiles that appears like somebody determined to curate their very own roadside museum. 

It’s a charming oddity and extremely photogenic, however please be respectful! If the proprietor occurs to be exterior, he may share a narrative or two. That was my expertise, and it made the cease much more memorable.

Dinner at Glen Ellen Star

Finish your day at Glen Ellen Star, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant that makes a speciality of wood-fired dishes, and the greens alone are well worth the reservation! The brussels sprouts with brown sugar bacon marmalade and the cauliflower with tahini and almonds are so good I discovered myself wishing I may recreate them at residence. The pizzas are glorious as effectively, particularly the tomato cream with Aleppo pepper.

Save room for dessert. The home-made ice cream cups have been a signature since 2012, and the flavors rotate. Salted peanut butter and vanilla maple bourbon had been my standouts.

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