The Ranches of West Marin

These ranches are isolated, the roads minimal and the landscape - more than desolate.

We found the Red Hill Ranch while driving along the Petaluma / Point Reyes Road.  'Red Hill' is a cattle ranch belonging to the Dolcini family, who have been in the Marin County area since 1870. Their ranch today is noted primarily for their grass-fed Angus beef - and this original homestead was built by the family's second generation, in 1918.

The Dolcini's "farm stand" is up a long graveled road. And inside a barn, in a large refrigerated glass case, - butter, cheese, eggs and packaged beef. Their purchase policy is based on the old, tried and true honor system - with a crumpled worn out notebook to record the amount, and a simple wooden box for the cash.

Most of these coastal ranches are cooled annually from the western winds blowing off the nearby Pacific. But today, it is not only cool, but eerily quiet.  Only hearing now and then, ever so softly - the moving creaking of an old hinged barn door.  The name of "Kitty" is on the mailbox, but from today's visit - no hide, nor hair of anyone - not even a cow.