The Valley of Moon-Sonoma Valley

Glen Ellen & Kenwood Valley

The Valley of the Moon is the actually Sonoma Valley that lies between Sonoma Mountains in the west and Mayacamas Mountains in the east. Mayacamas Mountains are the  ranges that separate Napa Valley from Sonoma  Valley where lie Hood Mountains  and Mount Veeder. Santa Rosa is located  north of the Valley of the Moon while and San Pablo Bay is located south of the Valley of the Moon.

The Valley of the Moon is served by Highway 12 ,121 and Arnold Drive. However, the scenic Trinity Drive link Napa Valley to the Valley of the Moon. The Trinity Scenic Road is the only road that links Sonoma Valley  to Napa Valley  through Mayacamas Mountains. A 4X4 drive is recommended. You may consider our Private  4X4 SUV  wine tours to Napa and Sonoma Valley. Book a Private SUV tour now and get 10% off.   

History: According to Jack London who lived and died in Glen Ellen located in the heart of the Valley of  the Moon,  Jack London believed  that Native Miwok called the actual Sonoma Valley as the  Valley of the Moon  after the Native American Miwok  observed the moon in winter time when it  made seven successive appearances between the surrounding mountains.

In Fact,  the translation of “Sonoma” from the native American Miwok’s tribal language to English means the “Valley of the Moon”. Jack London also wrote a great novel  called “the Valley of the Moon”.
During the Spanish Era, the valley of the Moon  was selected by the Franciscan order of Spain as the site to build  Mission San Francisco de Solano, the northernmost mission  in Alta California. Today, the Mission is located at the Historic Sonoma Tow Plaza. However, the original site of  Mission San Francisco de Solano was designated within the actual Cline Cellars winery located off  highway 121, in Domain Carneros.
The Valley of the Moon is the birthplace of California wine industry and the Statehood of California.

There are ancient vines in the Valley of the Moon, some of which are over 100 years old that  survived the phylloxera epidemic of the 1870s and the impact of Prohibition. 
The Valley of the Moon is home to some great  communities located within the valley including  Kenwood, Glen Ellen, Schellville ,Sonoma Historic Down Town and Boyes Hot Springs. Boyes Hot Springs and Agua Caliente were popular health retreats for tourists from San Francisco bay area until the middle of the 20th century.
Today the Sonoma Mission Inn in Boyes Hot Springs remains as a main destination resort for locals and visitors.

Domain Carneros :
Domain Carneros  wine growing region is located south of the Valley of the Moon.
Domain Carneros is famous for its Pinots and chardonnays thanks to  its proximity to the San Pablo Bay. Take exit 37 off highway 101 if you come from San Francisco and then turn left on highway 121 to Domain Carneros. 

Glen Ellen

A Brief History of Glen Ellen:
 Glen Ellen’s written history is associated with a grant deed as a part of the Agua Caliente Rancho deal that has been acquired from Lazaro Pina by General Mariano  Guadalupe Vallejo  back in 1830s. General Vallejo was in charge of California during the Mexican Era. The Mexicans gained control of California after  their independence from Spain back in 1821. General Vallejo’s  Headquarter was  originally stationed  in San Francisco Presidio  and moved  few years later to down town Sonoma. 
In 1858, Colonel Charles V. Stuart from Pennsylvania purchased the actual Glen Ellen region and called own private ranch as “ Glen Ellen” in honor of his wife, Ellen. The village that start developing near the ranch was also called Glen Ellen. Later, the ranch was renamed and called Glen Oaks Ranch to avoid confusion. The Ranch is  located  on Highway 12 , just east of Glen Ellen. Today, it is home to the National Register of Historical Landmarks.
In late 1800s  Joshua Chauvet established the first grain mill,  planted grapes and began producing wine and brandy in 1875. Today the original grain mill house  is the Glen Ellen Winery and History Center.
From its beginning in the early 1830's, the Village of Glen Ellen's history has been richly textured by the people who pioneered the prairies and made  Glen Ellen the beautiful town we know today. One of these pioneers  is the famous American author, Jack London who lived, farmed and wrote  important novels about Glen Ellen from 1905 until his death in 1916.
Jack London and his second wife built a dream home which London called the Wolf House, only to have it burn down the day before they planned to move in. Today, it’s part of Jack London State Historic Park  that has been created in 1959.
 
One of His novels he wrote in Glen Ellen is the” The Valley of the Moon”  named   after the Native American observation of  the moon in winter when it  made seven successive appearances between distant mountains.
The Plot Summary of the novel “The Valley of the Moon” is a story of a working-class couple, Billy and Saxon Roberts, struggling workers in Oakland at the Turn-of-the-Century, who left the city life behind and searched Central and Northern California for a suitable farmland to own. The book is notable for the great scenes in which the proletarian hero enjoys fellowship with the artists' colony in Carmel bay, and he finally settles in the Valley of the Moon(in Sonoma Valley). It’s useless to remind you that Jack London was born in San Francisco and  grew up in Oakland. This novel  relates his own biography in certain ways. At least this is my own interpretation. 

Today, Glen Ellen is home to California’s  best wineries and attractions. If you travel on your own to Glen Ellen, don’t miss Glen Ellen Village Market place that  offers  incredible selection of wines, cheese, chocolate and local dishes. Looking for a wine tour to Glen Ellen? You may consider our Private  SUV tours to the Valley of the Moon. We will exceed your expectations. Book a private wine tour now and get 10% off!

Kenwood Valley

Kenwood is also known as the Valley of the Moon .It’s one of the communities located in the Valley of the Moon. Kenwood is located in upper Sonoma Valley offering spectacular views and picturesque vineyards along State highway 12. The flatness of Kenwood Valley contrasts with the palisades mountains that surround the Valley on both sides(east/west). Annadel State Park and Sugarloaf Ridge State Parks lie in these beautiful mountains. Bennett Mountain lies southeast of the town, and Sugar Ridge to the northwest. Kenwood  valley is a charming limited area characterized by its great architectural wineries and European-style resorts. Kenwood is home to some of  California oldest vineyards  including the ancient syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon .It’s Also home to some historic wineries including Kunde Estate Winery  planted back in 1879.  Some believe that Kenwood was founded by settlers from Illinois who moved to the wild west after the second Gold Rush. The Coastal Miwok lived for thousands of years in Sonoma County until the arrival of the Spanish and then the Mexicans.
Kenwood still home to some historical  landmarks including Kenwood’s historic House  founded back in   the early 17th century, it’s  characterized  by its  orangey color. Kenwood historic house and Library were  donated by Lord Iveagh . It’s home to a  number of  master pieces of arts including Rembrandt self portrait.

Valley of the Moon Hotels, Restaurants & Wineries

San Francisco is considered a top city for dining out.   San Francisco is one of a kind destination for Fine and International Cuisine lovers.  It’s fresh farms ingredients, delicious cheese and wines offer thousands of options for everyone.