Hagmaier House
Owned by the National Park Service, the historic Hagmaier Ranch House was built in 1915 and restored with period details by the National Park Service in about 2000 after a house fire. The house serves as the main hub of the UC Point Reyes Field Station and provides users with wifi access, work space, meeting space for small and large groups (up to about 30), a full kitchen, two bathrooms (one upstairs and one downstairs, which has an ADA compliant shower), a library of local field guides and natural history books, eight dormitory-style bunk beds (four bunks in each of the two bedrooms downstairs), and a double bed in a private bedroom upstairs. We do not provide linens (only mattress covers) so visitors bring their own towels and sleeping bags or sheets and blankets.
The field station sits near the southern end of the Olema Valley historic ranching district. The house is one of the first representations of the Midwestern farmhouse architectural style on the west coast of the United States and the surrounding ranch land was grazed to produce dairy products — mainly butter — for San Franciscans for many decades (read more about the site’s history). Today the ranch site is dedicated to education and research in properties managed by the National Park Service, California State Parks, Marin Municipal Water District, and other local agencies.
SHARED SPACES & AMENITIES
The main stairway in the house is an example of the beautiful period woodwork details. To the immediate right is the west bedroom with four bunks; the east bedroom with four more bunks is down the hall and to the right. At the top of the stairs to the right is a bathroom with toilet and sink.
Dining/Living Rooms
Groups and classes arrange the dining and living rooms to best suit their needs for meetings and group work.
Kitchen
The field station has a full kitchen with a propane-powered 5-burner range with dishes and glasses for about 25 people and eating utensils for more than 25 people. The kitchen space easily accommodates food storage and food preparation for large groups. The refrigerator is a standard residential size and has a freezer up top. The kitchen is well stocked with cookware and cooking utensils, as we have several frying pans, sauce pans, stock pots (two), a large steamer/pasta basket insert, several baking dishes, mixing bowls, and other cookware as well as spatulas, can and bottle openers, veggie peelers, several knives, measuring cups, and more (we even have a whisk!).
Library
Upstairs on the second floor of the house, you will find the field station’s library and office space available for visitors to use. Books include California field guides, including a 1993 Jepson Manual and books and dichotomous keys to identify local birds, mammals, and marine life. The library also has books of general biological and ecological interest such as ecology, statistics, rare plant conservation, and many books about wildlife, plants, and ecosystems around the world.
LODGING
West Office/Private Bedroom (Second Floor)
The west office upstairs is a favorite place for visitors to work during writing retreats. Visitors to Point Reyes Field Station can place their signed waivers in the top left drawer of this desk. This space also has a single bed (not pictured), and can be used as a private room.
Private Bedroom (Second Floor)
The private bedroom upstairs has a double bed. Since these photos were taken we have added a desk and table lamps. The window looks north toward the old milking sheds and the barn. The bathroom is across the hall.
East and West Shared Bedrooms (First Floor)
There are two bedrooms downstairs with bunk beds and one bedroom upstairs with a double bed. The bunk beds are solid maple and each bunk bed has two 2-drawer dressers underneath the lower bunk for people to store their belongings. Each bedroom also has a bookcase for additional storage. Each room has windows that open and have portable screen inserts. All mattresses have mattress covers.
CAMPING FACILITIES
Users looking for a more secluded option may choose between two camping options that are located South of Hagmaier House. Campers will still have 24/7 access to shared house amenities (e.g. kitchen, WiFi, meeting/work space, shower/bathrooms), apart from the bedrooms.
Due to high fire danger during the summer months, the visitors are only allowed to have campfires during the rainy season. All visitors are required to obtain a National Park Service campfire permit from the Point Reyes National Seashore Bear Valley Visitor Center.
NOTE: Users will be required to bring all their own camping equipment!
Safari Tents (NEW AMENITY!)
We have recently built two new canvas/safari-style tents that provide sheltered camping options for smaller groups. Each tent can sleep up to 9 people.
Campground
The large mowed area south of the Hagmaier House accommodates overnight stays for individuals and large groups.
THE GROUNDS
On the south side of the house are four picnic tables, perfect for group meals and informal meetings.
North of the house off the driveway are two dairy sheds that were built by rancher George Hagmaier in 1938. These open sheds are currently used for equipment storage by the National Park Service.
The field station rests in the heart of beautiful Olema Valley between the headwaters of Olema Creek, which flows north to Tomales Bay, and Pine Gulch Creek, which flows south to Bolinas Lagoon. The presence of the San Andreas Fault that runs along the valley is reflected in the undulating hilly landscape and areas of seasonal ponding.
You will also be sharing your campsite with local residents!
