Cow Heaven: Saving the Family Farm

Point Reyes, California, United States

(13)

Driving Tour

60 mins

20.1mi

About the Tour

A 21 mile driving tour from Point Reyes National Seashore to the town of Tomales.

Just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, fifth-generation sheep rancher Bill Jensen guides recalcitrant lambs through a foot bath. A few miles down the road, Bob Giacomini checks out his high-tech milking barn. Bill and Bob are part of a rich agricultural community of dairy farmers, cattle and sheep ranchers and oyster growers in West Marin County. How was this rural paradise, so close to a major metropolitan area, saved from development? A lot of the credit goes to two women who came up with a unique idea...

Tour Producer

Claire Schoen

Award-winning producer Claire Schoen creates stories in sound for radio, podcast and audio-tour. She has taught audio production at Stanford, U.C. Berkeley and Duke University.

Map

Major Landmarks

Pt Reyes Bookstore
Tomales Bay Oyster Co
Marconi Trans-Pacific telegraph station
Blue Waters Kayaking

Directions to Starting Point

Start at the parking lot in front of the Bear Valley Visitor Center in the Point Reyes National Seashore.

The visitor center is located at 1 Bear Valley Road, a half-mile west of Highway 1 (Shoreline Highway) and the town of Olema. From Point Reyes Station, drive south on Highway 1 for 2.2 miles, turn right on Bear Valley Road and go 0.5 mile until you reach the Bear Valley Visitor Center entrance on the left.

Show Directions

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

The Point Reyes National Seashore headquarters, the town of Point Reyes Station, Millerton Point pull-out, the town of Marshall, the town of Tomales

Best time of day

Anytime!

Precautions

These are curvy country roads. Driving the speed limit is a good idea. And PLEASE watch for bicyclists!

Comments

Thanks Claire!

Posted by Vicki , about 6 years ago

I love hearing how agricultural people have found a way to keep their life ways vibrant into the future. Lovely local stories. Great audio experience!

Posted by C , about 6 years ago

What a great way into an area with so much to offer. After listening to this tour I now know what I want to do next!

Posted by Christine , about 6 years ago

What a great chance to hear one of the most interesting voices in America, Peter Coyote, tell stories about one of the most beautiful places on earth

Posted by Steve , about 6 years ago