Cow Track Ranch
Nicasio, California
one woman owned & operated
38° 4' 33.276'' N122° 42' 25.992'' W
Located just a scenic forty-five-minute drive North-West of the Golden Gate and a short journey to the breathtaking Point Reyes National Seashore. For over twenty years, we've been honored to host visitors, immersing guests in the beauty of nature and agriculture. Join us for an enriching experience that emphasizes the significance of food production and land stewardship. Nestled in breathtaking landscapes, our ranch offers a serene and romantic setting. Voted most picturesque venues in the Bay Area by photographers, with lush greenery, stunning views and charming rustic details. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and stunning landscapes, with endless opportunities for adventure in West Marin. Many unique opportunities for cheese tasting, kayaking on Tomales Bay, whale watching, hiking scenic trails, horseback riding and beach visits, there's something for everyone. Book your stay today and create unforgettable memories in the heart of the countryside!
A rustic western cabin, where luxury meets the charm of nature! Perfect for families and friends, this cozy retreat features a full kitchen equipped for gourmet cooking with a delightful collection of cast iron. Spend your evenings playing games or gazing at the stars through the 1800's windows. Relax on the porch with local cheeses and wine, or take a stroll down the lane during the golden hour to catch a sunset.
A charming ranch house, where bright and cozy interiors invite you to unwind. The cozy bedroom loft offers stunning hillside views, while two porches provide perfect spots for relaxation. Experience breathtaking sunsets and soothing sounds of nature, and enjoy clear starry nights as the moon rises over the hills, all visible from the living room windows. Make this serene retreat your home away from home.
Scenic Views and Versatile Spaces
Offering a serene, intimate backdrop for your special day with unlimited space. Whether you’re dreaming of a glowing golden-hour ceremony, dining and dancing under twinkling bistro lights in our historic hay barn, or celebrating amidst lush pastures under open skies, Cow Track Ranch brings authentic countryside charm to every moment.
Unmatched Scenery
One of the Bay Area’s most picturesque venues, complete with sweeping valley views and historic rustic architecture.
Versatile Event Packages
Flexible venue rental options—from full weekend packages and single-day celebrations to hourly photoshoot rentals.
Lodging Accommodations
Cozy, beautifully appointed stays for getting ready, unwinding and staying on the property.
Authentic Hospitality
Experience a working ranch dedicated to land stewardship, sustainable agriculture, and timeless hospitality.
“Legacy is not leaving something for people.
It's leaving something in people.”
- Peter Strople
Homegrown Angus Beef
Raising premium beef is our passion. Our steers are bred, born and nurtured from pasture to plate with the utmost care - resulting in tender, flavorful cuts you can trust for your family. We take pride in our commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethical standards, ensuring every selection meets the highest Beef Quality Assurance-Certified standards.
Raised with love from start to finish
Curated Beef Selections
Individual Cuts
For purchase by appointment for ranch pick up
Whole Beef
Recommended for households of 6 or more
Half Beef
Recommended for households of 4-6
Whole and half beef available by reservation
Please email us for more information and to place an order
Year-Round Grazing and Supplemental Feeding
Cattle graze the rolling hills year-round, supplemented with quality dry feed between seasons to ensure consistent nutrition and productivity. They also have year-round access to protein supplements and minerals to maintain peak health. This approach balances natural grazing with supplemental feeding to ensure adequate nutrition and manage forage availability throughout the year.
Calf Weaning
Calves are raised alongside their mothers until weaning, which occurs between six and ten months of age. This allows calves to transition from a milk diet to pasture and gives the cows a break after raising their calf.
Steer Finishing
Steers spend the majority of their lives on pasture alongside their mothers, followed by 90-120 days of grain finishing with a nutritious diet while still being on pasture and having access to forage and free feed. This finishing period helps enhance beef quality, including marbling and flavor.
Livestock Care
Cattle are checked daily, either by horseback, on foot or ATV. This direct oversight contributes to the well-being of the cattle and, consequently, the quality of the beef which is produced. Our cattle know when its feeding time and are excited to come running down the hill at the sound of the feed truck. This creates efficient feeding where cattle are already gathered and ready to eat when you arrive, streamlining the feeding process. It also reduces stress with a predictable routine and consistent signals, contributing to overall animal welfare. Feeding time is optimal for herd checks to ensure each animal is healthy. For any cattle needing attention, we bring them in to the corral on horseback to treat them accordingly, alongside our licensed veterinarian. Being the daughter of a veterinarian, much of the medical care is handled in-house and we take pride in maintaining a heathy herd, year round which means seven days a week and twenty-four hours a day because as ranchers, the cattle always come first.
Genetics and Sustainability
Cow Track Ranch maintains American Angus Association-registered Angus bulls with proven genetics. These genetics are selected to enhance beef quality and sustainability, as these cattle eat less and gain more, making them the most efficient grazing animals. This practice promotes a healthy ecosystem and aligns with sustainable grazing principles.
Humane Handling and Processing
Our steers are raised with care from birth through the finishing process and are humanely harvested by a local USDA-Certified processor in Sonoma County. From one small business to another, with care.
Beef cattle are raised in all 50 states and equal 882,692 total cattle & calf operations - of these:
96% are family owned and operated
9% are operated by women
Cow Track Ranch is 100% woman owned and operated
Melissa serves as a member of the Cattlemen's Beef Board, appointed by the USDA and maintains active membership with County, State and National cattle associations and agricultural committees as well as being a rangeland producer member of the California Cattle Council.
She is a participant of the Master of Beef Advocacy program, Certified by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and an activist of regenerative agriculture.
Homegrowm Goods
Nature's original skin care product! Homegrown Angus beef tallow, whipped up with love from our ranch to your cupboard. Tallow comes loaded with vitamins A, D, E and K to moisturize, nourish and protect the skin. It also contains linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties for a fresh face, soft hands and feet or all over body luxury experience. Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Soft, creamy and skin-nutritious! Non-greasy, smooth application and beautiful results. Safe for sensitive skin.
Old Fashioned Vanilla, Sun-Kissed Lemon, Blooming Lavender
Rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, and packed with skin-loving fatty acids, grass-fed beef tallow closely mimics the natural oils in your skin—making it incredibly compatible and effective.
Sealed with Pure Beeswax
We blend our carefully rendered ranch tallow with golden beeswax to lock in moisture and shield your lips from wind, sun, and dry air. Beeswax forms a breathable barrier that protects without clogging, keeping lips soft and supple all day long.
From Our Ranch to You
Every batch begins with cattle raised with care and respect for the land. We render our tallow in small batches to preserve purity and quality, creating a balm that’s as wholesome as the ranch it comes from.
Tallow Lip Balm
Tallow Skin Balm
Sun-Dried Rosemary
Sun-dried rosemary and sea salt elevate any dish with a gourmet touch. This delightful combination enhances flavors making your meals truly unforgettable. Sprinkle it on roasted vegetables and grilled meats. Experience the perfect blend of aromatic herbs in every bite. Rosemary salt pairs perfectly with beef, poultry, pork, fish, wild game and vegetables. We also offer a seasonal lavender sea salt - a dash on vanilla bean ice cream is a little secret worth sharing. Experience the versatility of salt beyond your kitchen! Transform a bath into a relaxing haven by adding salt for a soothing soak that eases daily stress. For an added touch of luxury, mix in a few drops of your favorite essential oils to create a rejuvenating body scrub. Indulge in self-care and elevate your relaxation experience!
Pasture Range Eggs
A vibrant flock of hens roams freely across pastures and in the gardens. These happy hens enjoy a diet, basking in the sun and laying beautiful eggs in a rainbow of colors. Our unique coop, crafted from reclaimed materials and adorned with a vintage chandelier, provides a cozy home fitted with refurbished nesting boxes. We take pride in offering farm-fresh eggs that are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients ensuring you enjoy the rich flavor and health benefits with every bite. Every carton is compostable, hand stamped and eggs are carefully inspected and packaged with love. We welcome re-use of clean cartons. Farm fresh eggs stand out with their rich flavor and texture, boasting a deep orange yolk that promises a delightful culinary experience. Not only do they elevate your dishes, but they also contain less cholesterol and saturated fat compared to commercial eggs, making them a healthier choice.
Pasture eggs have 25% more vitamin E, 75% more beta carotene, higher folic acid 3x more vitamin C & up to 2x more omega-3 fatty acids
All Natural Honey
Bees play a vital role in our agriculture system by pollinating the fruits and vegetables we cherish. Our hives are strategically placed near our ponds, ensuring the honey bees have easy access to water as they diligently work. Did you know that bees are responsible for pollinating one-third of the food we consume? Our delicious honey is the perfect complement to a charcuterie board, pairing beautifully with soft cheeses, assorted jams, nuts, and fresh fruits. Raw honey is only strained before it's bottled, which means it retains most of the beneficial nutrients and antioxidants that it naturally contains, making farm honey unique and authentic. Conversely, regular honey may undergo a variety of processing, which may remove beneficial nutrients like pollen and reduce its level of antioxidants.
Our History: The McNamara Ranch
1859:
The Great Divide: Original owners Michael McNamara and Cornelius Murray divided their land and sawed the two-story farmhouse in half, moving one portion via oxen, horses and log rollers a mile away to Murray's portion of the ranch where it was re-build into a whole new house.
1862 –1971:
The Dairy Era: The property operated as a dedicated dairy farm for decades, eventually transitioning to Walt & Myrtle Tamagno.
1987:
A Handshake Deal: Our family’s journey began when veterinarian Dr. Bruce Daniels was treating a sick cow for Walt. Walt wished to retire from the dairy business and offered the ranch for sale. The two struck a handshake deal, allowing Walt to retire while remaining a lifelong family friend.
Cultivating Community: Bruce, Liz, and their daughter Melissa partnered with the land to raise beef cattle and Liz operated a Certified Organic produce farm, providing fresh produce to local restaurants, farmers markets, caterers and chefs along with partnering with local school lunch programs and food banks. Liz's mission was for all schools and community to have access to fresh healthy produce. Liz dedicated her time to hosting educational non-profit groups, proving that anyone can connect with the dirt and learn to farm.
The Legacy Today:
Melissa continues to run the ranch, expanding our sustainably raised beef operations and introducing unique, homegrown products.
"Land really is the best art.”
— Andy Warhol
