Bay Area ranch, larger than San Francisco, listed for $72 million

The iconic N3 Cattle Company, listed for $72 million, spans 50,500 acres across four counties (Alameda, Santa Clara, San Joaquin and Stanislaus), making it the largest land offering in the State of California, according to California Outdoor Properties. less The iconic N3 Cattle Company, listed for $72 million, spans 50,500 acres across four counties (Alameda, Santa Clara, San Joaquin and Stanislaus), making it the largest land offering in the State of California, ... more Photo: California Outdoor Properties Photo: California Outdoor Properties Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Bay Area ranch, larger than San Francisco, listed for $72 million 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

A rare and massive expanse of undeveloped Bay Area land is on the market for $72 million.

Stretching across 80 square miles of oak-studded hills and grassy meadows, the N3 Cattle Company is the largest land offering in California and bigger than the city of San Francisco.

An hour from San Francisco and San Jose, the untouched haven straddles Alameda and Santa Clara counties, with its eastern edge spilling over into the San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. The majority of the land is in the East Bay.

"It's wild, unspoiled wilderness," says listing agent Todd Renfrew of California Outdoor Properties. "It looks like it did 2,000 years ago when it was inhabited by American Indians. It just hasn't changed."

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The ranch has been in the hands of the same family for 85 years and they've operated it as a cattle ranch.

"Two daughters have run the ranch for 20 years," says Renfrew. "It's a big responsibility. It's time for the next generation of people."

The land is zoned for agricultural use and the property features facilities for raising cattle, including five corrals, employee housing, multiple sheds, hay barns, two workshops and accommodations for up to 3,000 cattle (1,500 pairs of a mother and her calf).

A four-bedroom main residence is basic and was built in the 1960s. There are also 14 hunting cabins as the ranch once ran a successful hunting operation. Black tail deer, tule elk, wild pig, turkey, quail, dove, rabbit, ground squirrel, raccoon, coyote, bobcat, grey fox, and mountain lion all inhabit the land.

Two hundred miles of private roads can be used for hiking, mountain biking and riding ATVs. There are multiple ponds and streams criss-crossing the land.

"All the ranches I've sold have their own unique traits, but this one stands out because of its magnitude and size in the Bay Area," says Renfrew. "You're like 10 miles from Livermore. It's unbelievable."

Amy Graff is a news producer for SFGATE. Got a real estate tip? Email her at agraff@sfgate.com.