Jack London State Historic Park

Jack London was famous for writing about the wilderness, and the great outdoors. He was also a dog person. In fact, two of his most famous books, "White Fang" and "Call of the Wild," are written from the point of view of a dog protagonist. The Jack London State Historical Park in his native California is huge, at 1900 acres. When the author was alive, he dubbed the area "Beauty Ranch," which is the perfect name. 

Although it is not a working ranch anymore, otherwise, everything has been preserved as it was while London was alive, including his final home and writing cabin. In his lifetime, Jack London valued nature and wide open spaces, so the grounds of the residential portion of his ranch are landscaped simply, if at all. 

There is a large koi pond, a flower bed of cacti, and, of course, the buildings where Jack London and his wife lived, as well as barns and other buildings you would expect to find on a ranch. As you might imagine for a man who was absolutely passionate about the natural world, and who held dogs in high regard, dogs are welcome throughout the ranch. 

However, in consideration of the historic landmark status of the ranch, dogs must be leashed, and they are not allowed in the buildings. The rest of Beauty Ranch, like the estate grounds, is largely kept in a natural state. There are twenty-nine miles of trails, some of which can be rather difficult, so people are advised to wear hiking shoes and to come equipped with extra water and poop bags. 

If you choose to walk the trails of the ranch, you and your dog will be treated to some of the best of California's natural beauty. You will walk through acres of wildflowers and savannah grasses, oak groves, and lots of hills. One of the easier trails you can take will lead you to a giant redwood estimated to be about 2,000 years old. What a fun way to spend time with your dog!