Black Mountain Ranch is located 45 minutes northwest of the Golden Gate Bridge and covers approximately 1,350 acres between the Nicasio Reservoir and the town of Point Reyes Station. Four organic farms operate on the ranch, and 160 Black Angus beef cattle and 40 Jacob sheep graze and fertilize the land.
While we are a working ranch, we also host ag and eco-themed events such as nonprofit fundraisers, weddings, many kinds of celebrations, and corporate offsites, as well as workshops and experiences with photography being the most popular.
We offer tours and workshops about the geology, history, and ecology of the ranch, and highlight our most important agricultural practices as well as the products we produce for the food, fashion, beauty, and art industries. There are also numerous opportunities for ag and eco-related recreational activities, including hiking, horseback riding, hunting, archery, photography, making garments and art, gardening, and meditation.
Events and workshops
With numerous outdoor venues, pavilions, and barns ranging in size up to 12,000 square feet and amazing views all around the ranch, we can accommodate groups of all sizes. Our infrastructure provides parking for 160+ cars, great WiFi for West Marin as well as small kitchen facilities.
Ag Operations
We either host, manage, or co-manage a number of agricultural enterprises, including Stemple Creek (beef cattle), Three Bags Full (sheep, wool garments), Little Wing Farm (row crops, quail), Fibershed (ag and eco consulting and education, pigment plants), Silver Willow Farm (ag and eco education, row crops), and Point Reyes Lavender (lavender and related products).
History
The ranch and the mountain at its center was named after James “Santiago’”Black. Black made a large fortune from cattle ranching during the Gold Rush, and at one point was the biggest property taxpayer in Marin, as well as the mayor of San Rafael, the county tax collector, a judge, and the county coroner. Marriage, Murder and Betrayal in 19th Century California by Jo Haraf documents his rise and fall.
Here’s a snapshot of what Black Mountain Ranch has to offer.
How to report stray cows
If you see our cattle loose on the road, this means they have escaped
and we need to retrieve them.
Please contact
julian@blackmountainranch.info or loren.poncia@stemplecreek.com