Western part of the ranch
Ridges, forests, creeks – 1,350 Acres, miles of roads and trails
Most of our 1,350 acres is made up of ridges and forests where our Black Angus beef cattle co-exist with a bewildering variety of native flora and fauna that are frequently being surveyed and documented by numerous organizations. Our ranch is certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmer (CCOF), and our grasslands are certified bird friendly by the Audubon Society. Grazing herbivores, whether they be buffalo, elk, or cows, enrich soil and prevent its dehydration and erosion. Our cattle naturally excrete fertilizer, trample it into the ground, and force the grazed grass to develop deep carbon sequestering roots.
Given we maintain a ratio of more than 10 acres per cow, and operate a rotational grazing program where we have continuous control of the location of the herd on the land, we can always make the majority of our land available for events and recreational activities. With enough notice we can also make any specific acreage available. The land can accommodate large groups (300+) in diverse settings for a variety of activities, such as hiking, horseback riding, hunting, gardening, archery, and photography. Miles of roads allow the delivery of tents, food, portable toilets etc. to much of the ranch. Many locations have fresh water, and cell phone reception on the ridges is good. The weather (winds in summer and rain in winter) can be a limiting factor, and electrical power does not extend much beyond the main barnyard, the organic farm, and the Buddha Barn.
Deer Camp – Hunting encampment in forest
There is a small shed for dressing deer and a long table that seats 30. The main barnyard is a half hour walk with elevation changes from this camp. For vehicles, there is also a shortcut via about a half mile long dirt road that comes up from the Petaluma Point Reyes Road. The gate on that road must be kept locked because it is a potential escape route for the cattle, so this means access is only suitable for trained event staff or for trained and exceptionally responsible guests.
Overlook Pavilion – Two large picnic tables with 360ø views
The Overlook Pavilion is located on a ridge that is a ten minute uphill walk from the barnyard and boasts outstanding 360 degree views of the surrounding forests, ridges, and Black Mountain. It includes an open-air roof cover with two large picnic tables seating 10 people each (so 20 people total) with extra room for a long serving table. The pavilion sits on a half acre of flat ridge land and surrounded by fence. It gets less wind in the summer than the ridges that are higher up. By adding tents, the area could provide additional shade for more guests, perhaps up to 100. The proximity to the barnyard and ranch kitchen makes it easy to ferry food, supplies, and people to and from the site.
