The 150th birthday of writer, adventurer and rancher Jack London (born January 12, 1876) will be celebrated throughout 2026 at Jack London State Historic Park.
Sunday, May 17 – Call of the Wild Festival
Celebrate Call of the Wild Festival at Jack London State Historic Park, a lively and family-friendly day with free park admission. Enjoy hands-on art activities, games, and guided tours that bring Jack London’s world to life. With music, food, and plenty of opportunities to explore, it is the perfect way for families and friends to enjoy the park.
Experience the historic ranch that Jack loved with a relaxed hay ride, explore the beauty of the land with a free guided hike, or join a tour to learn more about this Jack’s life. Come share in the adventure, history, and fun that make this place so special. For information about the day’s activities, click here.
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Jack London Speaker Series
In honor of Jack London’s 150th birthday year, Jack London Park Partners is excited to host a quarterly speaker series, co-presented with the Jack London Society. These events highlight the enduring legacy of Jack London and his connections to literature, photography, and the Bay Area. We are grateful for the support of the Jack London Society and its scholars in bringing this speaker series to life.
Join us at Jack London State Historic Park to hear from a great lineup of speakers throughout 2026. Keep an eye on the park’s upcoming events page to sign up.
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Ongoing
Get moving with the JL150 Challenge
A fun, flexible spring excuse to visit Jack London State Historic Park more often. It’s free to join: just create a free account at https://www.strava.com, head to the Jack London State Historic Park profile, and sign up for the challenge. Complete it your way over about six weeks—150 minutes, 150 miles, or 15 park visits—perfect for walkers, hikers, runners, and regular locals alike. It’s all about enjoying the trails and coming back often!
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Jack London’s Journey: Places from a lifetime of Adventure
In 2026, we’re celebrating Jack London’s 150th birthday — and one of the best ways to honor his legacy is by following his footsteps around the world. From the Bay Area to Alaska, the South Pacific, Asia, and beyond, Jack London’s life was defined by movement, curiosity, and adventure.
To mark this milestone year, we’ve created an interactive map tracing the many places Jack London traveled during his remarkable life. You can also find a listing of Jack’s travels here at Jack Londons Adventures
Have you visited any of the places Jack traveled? Share your photos and stories using #JackLondon150 as we celebrate his 150th birthday year together.
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Coming soon!
Jack London Speaker Series
In honor of Jack London’s 150th birthday year, Jack London Park Partners is excited to host a quarterly speaker series, co-presented with the Jack London Society. These events highlight the enduring legacy of Jack London and his connections to literature, photography, and the Bay Area. We are grateful for the support of the Jack London Society and its scholars in bringing this speaker series to life.
Join us at Jack London State Historic Park to hear from a great lineup of speakers throughout 2026. Keep an eye on the park’s upcoming events page to sign up.
June 13 – Tarnel Abbott – Jack London’s great-granddaughter, Tarnel Abbott, will speak in an interview format presentation. A retired librarian who spent 22 years at the Richmond Public Library, Abbott has dedicated herself to preserving London’s books and papers. She is also a longtime activist, involved in numerous local and international causes, and will share her insights into London’s life and legacy.
August 6 – Richard Rocco – Retired pharmacist and pharmacology professor Richard Rocco will present on Jack London and his medicine kit, currently on display in the House of Happy Walls. Rocco has photographed and studied all 22 drugs in the kit and will discuss London’s use of these medicines in both his life and literature. With nearly 20 years of teaching experience at Samuel Merritt University, he has written and spoken extensively on artifact forensics and London’s medical kit.
November 6 – Amy Tucker – Professor Emerita Amy Tucker of Queens College, New York City, will present on Jack London’s unpublished photographs from Molokai, Hawaii. An accomplished author and editor, Tucker brings her expertise in archival research and photography to explore this lesser-known aspect of London’s life and travels.
Saturday, Sept. 19 – JLPP Annual Gala – Jack’s 150th: A Bold Wish. His Dream is Your Park!
Information about Jack London Park Partners annual gala can be found here.
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Past Events
Saturday, Jan. 10
Celebrate Jack London’s 150th birthday with a free guided hike through the landscapes he loved so deeply. This approximately 3.5 mile roundtrip hike will take you to the park’s ancient redwood, an old growth coast redwood that stood here long before Jack arrived, watched over the land during his years in Glen Ellen, and still stands with us today. Experience the beauty, stories, and adventurous spirit that shaped his life and work.
*$10/vehicle park entry fee not included
Sunday, Jan. 11
Stop by the bookshop at the House of Happy Walls Museum, open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you find a treasure to take home, your purchase includes a free day pass to use in the New Year.
Monday, Jan. 12
FREE admission to the park for all on Jack London’s 150th birthday. The park will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The entry fee is regularly $10 per vehicle for up to nine passengers.
Monday, Jan. 12
Step into Jack London’s world with a FREE guided walking tour to the Wolf House Ruins. Led by one of our friendly, knowledgeable guides, this storytelling walk brings to life London’s dreams, challenges, and legacy. Meet at 1:00 PM outside the House of Happy Walls Museum.
Reservations not required.
Saturday, Jan. 17 – Un Paseo por los Museos
En esta temporada fría, acompáñanos en un recorrido que aprovecha los espacios interiores del parque. Dentro del refugio de los museos aprenderás sobre la historia del parque, Beauty Ranch, y Jack London.
Vamos a visitar la Casa de Paredes Felices y la cabaña de Jack y Charmian para descubrir detalles de su vida aventurera. A lo largo del camino conoceremos a Jack London como ranchero, autor, pirata y explorador.
Será una caminata relajada, centrada principalmente en la historia; ideal para disfrutar y conectar con el pasado del parque. Es apta para todas las edades.
Como siempre, contarás con un guía que interpretará la historia en español. Admisión: Gratis.
Jack London Speaker Series
In honor of Jack London’s 150th birthday year, Jack London Park Partners is excited to host a quarterly speaker series, co-presented with the Jack London Society. These events highlight the enduring legacy of Jack London and his connections to literature, photography, and the Bay Area. We are grateful for the support of the Jack London Society and its scholars in bringing this speaker series to life.
Join us at Jack London State Historic Park to hear from a great lineup of speakers throughout 2026. Keep an eye on the park’s upcoming events page to sign up.
March 27 – Aleta George – Author and scholar Aleta George will present on the sea captains who inspired Jack London’s writing and wanderings. She is currently working on a book about Jack London’s lifelong relationship with the San Francisco Bay and writes about the Bay for publications including Smithsonian, Los Angeles Times, and Estuary News. She is also the award-winning author of Ina Coolbrith: The Bittersweet Song of California’s First Poet Laureate.
January 12 – March 31
The 11th Annual Young Writers Contest opened on January 12 with the announcement of this year’s theme. The contest closed at 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2026, and winners will be announced by April 30th.
Created in 2014, the Young Writers Contest encourages middle school students (grades 6–8) to develop their writing skills by creating an original 1,500–2,000-word story inspired by the works of Jack London. A new theme is released each year on London’s birthday.
Check the contest page for the winning announcement and stories at the end of April!
