Pierce Point Ranch


Established in 1858, the renovated Pierce Point Ranch is one of the oldest ranches on the Point Reyes Peninsula and was one of the most successful dairy ranches of its time. The farm ceased operations in 1973 and three years later, Congress authorized creation of the wilderness area incorporating that ranch as habitat for the reintroduction of tule elk. Beginning in 1980, NPS invested in the rehabilitation of the ranch core, citing it as the best example of a nineteenth century west Marin dairy ranch. Pierce Point Ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, and was subsequently opened to the public as an interpretive site. A short,self-guided path guides visitors through this historic and picturesque ranch complex. Pierce Point Ranch is also the entrance to the Tomales Point Trail and Tule Elk Preserve, where a long stretch of coastal bluff offers spectacular views of both Tomales Bay and the Pacific Ocean, and hikers can observe the herd of Tule Elk that roam this Point as their home range. (source)

Pierce Point Ranch was our final stop on our drive to Point Reyes National Seashore. Didn't know what it was when we spotted it from atop a hill, but we were curious enough to see it so we drove out here. Thankfully we did because we finally get to see the tule elks. In addition, it was very nice to peek at what a dairy ranch looked like.

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The cypress trees stood proudly welcoming all the admiration from visitors and hikers.

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I hear the trail is pretty nice. I see a few returning from a hike and still others starting one and the hour was late when we were there.

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The dots on the hillside are the elks grazing.

There's plenty of other things to enjoy here as well.

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OUR WORLD TUESDAY







Comments

  1. New place for me to learn about -- how great that the State did this. And so neat to get to see the Elk. Glad you stopped; thanks for sharing.

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  2. Looks like a great place to visit. Boom, Bobbi and Gary.

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  3. Interesting information and great shots.

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  4. Great shots of the place and interesting information.

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  5. That's a classic old ranch - it reminds me of some buildings I've seen here in Colorado.

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  6. It must be wonderful to go there for walking. Looks very peaceful.

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  7. Too bad it's not a working farm anymore, but I'm glad it's still up. In the Philippines, it would have been torn down already. Sigh

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  8. Oh My; What peaceful and wonderful place for strolling the Pierce Point Ranch must be♡♡♡ I might be healthier living close place like there p;)
    Have a wonderful week ahead;
    Sincerely from Japan xoxo Miyako*

    PS>I called the park and heard that the apples (fruits) are not allowed to pick and not edible kind(^^;)
    Thank you very much for your kind comment.

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  9. What a lovely place.

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  10. Those are some fantastic trees, especially the one on the 6th photo.

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  11. This is a place I've never heard of before. But it looks like the kind of place I love to roam!

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  12. I like the idea of a self guided tour that let's the visitor enjoy the trail without pressure of a group. Fine series of varied pictures. The trees offer to many possible shots.

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  13. Wow! It is beautiful and looks so peaceful too. Blessings!

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  14. A great series. Hope you are having an AMAZING summer! Happy Fourth of July!

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