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Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site: Tao House

Discover the Tao House, Eugene O'Neill's secluded Danville home where America's only Nobel Prize-winning playwright penned his greatest works.

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Visit Tao House, the Danville, California home of America's only Nobel Prize-winning playwright, Eugene O'Neill. Explore the house and grounds where O'Neill wrote his final masterpieces, including 'The Iceman Cometh' and 'Long Day's Journey Into Night'.

A brief summary to Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site

Local tips

  • Reservations are required to visit the site and can be made by calling (925) 228-8860 x6422.
  • The site is only accessible via a free National Park Service shuttle that departs from the Museum of the San Ramon Valley in Danville.
  • Allow at least two hours for your visit to fully experience the house and grounds.
  • Check the site's schedule for guided tour times, offered Wednesday through Sunday.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    To reach the Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site via public transportation, take BART to the Walnut Creek station. Transfer to County Connection bus route 21 towards Danville. Get off at the stop for Kuss Rd and Sycamore Valley Rd. From there, it is approximately a 0.5-mile walk down Kuss Rd to the park entrance; however, visitors must still catch the NPS shuttle from the Museum of the San Ramon Valley. Bus fare is approximately $2-$3. From the museum, take the free National Park Service shuttle to the site. Reservations are required.

  • Walking

    It is possible to hike to the Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site. A 3.5 mile loop hike begins at the end of Camille Avenue in Alamo. Follow the trail markers to the Madrone Trail. The trail can be steep in some places. Once at the site, visitors can explore the grounds. To tour Tao House, visitors must make a reservation and take the free shuttle from the Museum of the San Ramon Valley.

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Discover more about Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site

The Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site preserves Tao House, the secluded home where the acclaimed playwright Eugene O'Neill lived from 1937 to 1944. Nestled in the rolling hills of Danville, California, this 158.6-acre estate provided O'Neill with a sanctuary where he penned some of his most profound works. O'Neill, the only American playwright to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, sought refuge in Danville after winning the prestigious award in 1936. He and his wife, Carlotta Monterey, built Tao House, a Monterey Colonial-style home, as a place of serenity and focus. The name 'Tao' reflects their desire for harmony, drawing inspiration from Chinese Taoism. At Tao House, O'Neill found the isolation he needed to delve into painful memories and create his final masterpieces, including 'The Iceman Cometh,' 'Long Day's Journey Into Night,' and 'A Moon for the Misbegotten'. Visitors can tour the thoughtfully preserved rooms of Tao House, gaining insights into O'Neill's life and creative process. The grounds also feature lush gardens, historic trails, and a 19th-century barn, offering a glimpse into the world that inspired O'Neill's writing. A visit to the site provides a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of a literary giant and experience the tranquility that fueled his genius.

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