
Cow Heaven: Saving the Family Farm
Driving Tour
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
Major Landmarks
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.
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!
Thanks Claire!
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!
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!
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