Cow Heaven: Saving the Family Farm

Nestled along the rugged shores of Tomales Bay, West Marin's landscapes tell a story of agricultural resilience spanning generations. On this self-guided driving tour, you'll explore the rich history of family farming, learning how an area once slated for highways, airports, and housing subdivisions was permanently preserved as agricultural open space. Journey through rolling pastures dotted with dairy cows and sheep while discovering the remarkable story of how farmers, environmentalists, and government officials joined forces to save this rural paradise.

The tour begins at Point Reyes National Seashore headquarters, guiding you through the Olema Valley where Coast Miwok Indians once lived off abundant natural resources. You'll travel through the historic town of Point Reyes Station, once an important railroad hub where the North Pacific Coast narrow gauge transported butter from local dairies to San Francisco. Along the way, you'll discover how this scenic area earned its nickname Cow Heaven from early ranchers who recognized the land's unique agricultural potential.

As you continue along the eastern shore of Tomales Bay, you'll hear about the immigrant families who established farms here in the 1850s and whose descendants still work the land today. You'll learn how innovative agriculture and conservation practices allow ranchers to be responsible stewards of the land. The tour ends in the town of Tomales, founded in 1850 and still an important agricultural center that embodies the strong community spirit that remains vital to farming life.

During this 60-minute driving tour, you'll have a chance to:

• Discover the Coast Miwok's sustainable harvesting practices that sustained them for thousands of years
• Explore Point Reyes Station's evolution from bustling railroad center to charming small town
• Hear about the evolution of dairy farming from hand-milking to modern production methods
• Learn how immigrant families from Ireland, Switzerland, and Mexico shaped local agriculture
• Understand the unprecedented alliance between farmers and environmentalists that saved West Marin
• Visit Millerton Point for stunning views of Tomales Bay and oyster farms
• Experience Marshall's bayside charm, where you can stop for fresh oysters
• Discover how the nation's first agricultural land trust permanently protected farmland from development

Take this drive through West Marin's agricultural landscapes and discover how a dedicated community preserved a way of life and an American tradition of family farming for future generations.