Historic Orchard Hike Tour

History and nature lovers can learn about an orchard originally planted in 1908-1912, later abandoned and recently restored at Jack London State Historic Park. Then they will hike to the newly reclaimed orchard to experience the rejuvenation that now provides fresh produce for those facing food insecurity.

Deputy Director of Operations Eric Metz will start the day with a presentation on the history and progress of the orchard. The group will then have the option to take a medium-effort, six-mile (round trip) hike to the orchard for a personalized tour of the various areas that have been given a new lease on life and learn more about the unique challenges they had to overcome to revitalize the different areas, such as no access to water. Many of the fruit trees in the orchard now are much older than their average lifespans.

According to records from 1910, there were “675 apple trees, 175 apricots, 115 cherries, 250 pears, 75 plums, 810 prunes, and 575 peaches, and of grapevines 1,147 vines” in the orchard that was part of Sonoma Developmental Center. By the 1980s, the orchard had been abandoned.

Today, the revitalized trees are producing a bounty of fruit. Jack London State Historic Park has now partnered with Farm to Pantry to glean the fruit from the orchard and deliver it to Sonoma organizations that help people facing food insecurity. In 2023, 7,129 pounds of fruit was donated to Farm to Pantry.