Cow Track Ranch
Nicasio, California
38° 4' 33.276'' N122° 42' 25.992'' W
one woman owned & operated
A passion for agriculture and a lifelong dedication to land stewardship carry on through legacy on this very special West Marin canvas which sweeps from the floor of Nicasio Valley up through shady side-canyons to steep slopes overlooking rolling hills. Lush grasslands in the valley give way to a mix of bay and live oak forests and coastal scrub on the slopes. Native bunch grasses persist in hard-to-reach hillside pockets, and redwoods tower in deep tributaries of Halleck Creek. We believe in sharing our passion for agriculture, by providing a welcoming experience for guests from near and far to enjoy the beautiful landscape and unique experience. Our mission is to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for agriculture and the ranching lifestyle by creating meaningful connections between families, the land, and the sustainable practices involved in raising beef. We are committed to educating and empowering consumers about the importance of responsible land stewardship and livestock care. May we blaze the trail and create a lasting impact for generations to come, so they may continue the great things we have done to preserve the path.
Ranch Stay
“Legacy is not leaving something for people.
It's leaving something in people.”
- Peter Strople
A scenic forty-five minute drive North-West of the Golden Gate and a short drive to beautiful beaches and Point Reyes National Seashore. Experience a gourmet meal with our homegrown Angus beef and pasture-raised eggs available for purchase. A complete experience, from lodging to outstanding food, paired with spectacular views. We opened our ranch stay over twenty years ago with the Bunk House, offering a unique experience for visitors from all around the world. It became a cherished opportunity to welcome visitors to the countryside to connect with nature and agriculture. Understanding agriculture provides a valuable perspective on food production and land stewardship, emphasizing its significance where experiences are otherwise limited and online culture is rapidly evolving. Consumers are becoming increasingly disconnected from food production and our mission is to establish the connection. Learning about our guests and sharing the history of this magical canvas is a reward for the dedication and passion invested in the ranch.
A rustic western cabin with all of the luxury amenities to accommodate a few more guests - great for families and friends! Equipped with a full kitchen to cook gourmet meals with with a collection of cast iron. Enjoy a cozy evening with variety of games and a clear view of the evening stars through the many windows. Wake up to the choir of birds and soak up all of the views that the ranch offers. The porch provides a relaxing place to unwind - grab a blanket and basket and enjoy a picnic with cheese from the local creameries, take a stroll down the lane at the golden hour and embrace a sunset over the pond. Experience the ultimate ranch stay getaway with us. Enjoy easy access to top-rated local restaurants, beaches, hiking trails and guided kayaking/horseback riding excursions - all within a 15-30 minute drive. Accommodations for five guests.
This ranchhouse boasts a bright and cozy interior with an abundance of natural light with the many windows. The home features a cozy bedroom loft with hillside views and two porches for enjoyment and relaxation. Hike up the hillside to witness a breathtaking sunset and immerse yourself in the sounds of nature. Enjoy a clear view of the stars and watch the moon rise over the hillside from the living room! Savor homegrown Angus beef, farm-fresh eggs, and more. Accommodations for two guests and small child(ren).
“We Do Not Inherit the Earth from Our Ancestors;
We Borrow It from Our Children.”
- Chief Seattle
Homegrown Angus Beef
Raising quality beef requires hard work and dedication.
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 up to 120 days of grain finishing, twice a day 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 side-by-side/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, tractor, side-by-side or ATV when hay is delivered. 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 I 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 Chileno Valley, Petaluma.
From one small business to another, with care.
Cow Track Ranch is a Beef Quality Assurance-Certified producer, ensuring quality beef from start to finish.
Learn more about how cattle are raised in the U.S. and stay tuned with industry updates and more:
Raised with love from start to finish
Purchasing Options
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
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.
Homegrown Goods
Beef Snack Sticks
Discover a tasty and nutritious high-quality snack, loaded with protein to energize you on the go! Made from our homegrown 100% pasture-raised/grain-finished beef, these gluten-free delights are crafted by a committed small business. A snack that not only satisfies your taste buds but also champions artisanship. Experience the ideal combination of flavor and nutrition with every bite. These snacks are perfect for a busy lifestyle and make a great snack for backpacks! Available flavors include jalapeño cheddar, black pepper and sweet & spicy.
Available for purchase directly or at Marin French Cheese and Rancho Nicasio
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.
Available scents: Old Fashioned Vanilla, Sun-Kissed Lemon, Blooming Lavender and Sweet Orange.
Available for purchase directly or at Marin French Cheese
Tallow Skin Balm
Sun-dried Rosemary Cooking Salts
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!
Available for purchase at Marin French Cheese and Nicasio Cheese
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.
Ranch History & Heritage
Michael McNamara and Cornelius Murray arrived in Nicasio in 1859 and bought the land. The two had a falling out and divided the land into two parts with this piece being the McNamara Ranch. Having built a fine two-story farmhouse, they chose to saw it in half. Using oxen and work horses, they moved one half on log rollers for about a mile to Murray's portion of the ranch where it was re-build into a whole new house. The ranch was leased out from the 1920's as a dairy farm and then sold in 1971 where it continued to be a dairy and eventually became a part of our family in 1987 when my father Dr. Bruce Daniels, a veterinarian, was treating a sick cow for Walt Tamagno in the milking barn where Walt offered the ranch for sale. Bruce and Walt made a handshake deal and Walt retired from the dairy business and remained a good friend where he and his family visited often. Liz and Bruce worked together, along with their daughter Melissa, to partner with the land. Together, they raised beef cattle and Liz grew Certified Organic produce on 5 acres. Produce was sold to local markets, farmers markets, farm stands, restaurants, catering companies, school lunch programs and food banks. Liz partnered with many non-profit organizations and hosted many different groups to learn about farming at the ranch. Her knack for having hands in the dirt was shared with hundreds of individuals where she took pride in making a positive impact in the lives of those needing it most, to teach people of all walks of life that anyone can become a farmer with a little patience and time.
Today, Melissa is continuing the legacy running the ranch making homegrown products and has expanded the beef operation.
"Land really is the best art.”
—Andy Warhol
