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Cheese Factory
Categories: Food Specialty Food Cheese Shops Restaurants Delis Cheese Shops, Delis [Edit]
The Marin French Cheese Co7500 Red Hill Rd
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 762-6001
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
93 reviews for Cheese Factory
Review Highlights
"The Rouge et Noir Camembert is out of this world."
(in 13 reviews)
"Great stop before a hike at Point Reyes."
(in 13 reviews)
"What a delightful place for a picnic."
(in 65 reviews)
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93 reviews in English
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Review from Jennie K.
Updated - 11/26/2011 2 photos
Ask the workers if there are any specials you don't know about/are unlisted. You might like the answer!
Somehow my mom and I ended up bringing home 18 petite cheeses and a wasabi lime mustard for $36. The girl who helped us was full of interesting information, was incredibly accommodating, and made our whole experience absolutely fantastic.
Thank you, Marin French - you ALWAYS make the drive worth it. Never change! (Because it would make it hard for me to buy up half your stock, and I love you so!)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/21/2011
Two words: breakfast cheese. I think this may be my favorite cheese ever - and it's my mom's… Read more »
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Review from Yup S.
San Francisco, CA
10/2/2011
Hopped on the Livingsocial tour bus and got in on my first Cheese tour in my life!
What can I say, I had a blast! Very intimate, only had 6 people on our tour including ourselves. Learned a lot about soft cheeses and everyone was super nice there. Definitely, a higher appreciation for cheese now. Especially the artisan way of things - keeping it intimate and old school.
Our tour guide, Karen? was great and very open to questions and took the time to offer her opinions and insights. Anything was fare game.
The red Zinfadel they had went well with the cheese tastings and the cheese was fairly awesome. The shop through in cheese on the house when we bought over $20 worth of cheese - can you say FREE blue cheese! Favorite cheese was the breakfast cheese - it was sick nasty.
The land the factory on is great too. There are lots of picnic tables alongside a huge lake. Definitely a winner on a nice afternoon to lounge around and have a picnic.
Only two things I didn't like was that it was a Sunday tour, so we didn't actually get to see the cheese makers actually making cheese. In fact, it was "wash" day every Sunday Funday so it was sometimes hard to visualize the complete cheese making process. The second thing I didn't like was the smell of the restroom outside. -
Review from Alysha M.
9/26/2011 7 photos
This review is solely for the tour of the cheese factory.
I took the cheese tour with a Living Social deal I bought (2 people for $40). I thought it was worth it for the deal price, but do not think it is without it. The tour was short (30 minutes). I don't remember who our guide was but I felt like she was just doing it because it was 'her job.' She didn't seem passionate about her work & her voice was pretty 'robotic.'
There was a cheese & wine pairing at the end. We got to sample 7 different cheeses along with a glass of red & white. The pours were hearty. The cheese cuts were large too, but I was disappointed because they didn't let the cheese 'sit' beforehand, so it wasn't as creamy & gooey as it should've been. I felt a bit rushed to finish because she needed to collect the glasses & boards we were eating on because another tour was going to start.
With the deal, we got a goodie bag to take home. One star more because of this. It came with 2 different cheeses, a magnet, a cheese cutting board, and a knife. This is what made the deal worth it.
Besides for the tour, the property is beautiful. The other staff members are really nice & helpful. On your own time, you can grab a table outside & have an all-day wine & cheese picnic. -
Review from Marissa H.
San Francisco, CA
8/30/2011
I'm a bit torn on this review. The cheese was ok, the 1 counter girl was rude while the other was extremely nice, but the available food & beverage & picnic grounds are lovely & relaxing.
My favorite was the slightly hard, salty cheese. The others were creamy. They offer sandwiches (all cheese based & sliced deli meats) & assorted sides (marinated mushrooms, olives, tapenade), bread, wine & snacks. Decently priced. There are picnic tables set under wooden awnings overlooking the lake & surrounding area which is nice to sit down, enjoy some cheese, bread & wine & relax. -
Review from Candace Y.
Elk Grove, CA
6/9/2011
While on a drive out to Tomales-Bodega Bay, we passed by the Marin French Cheese Factory and decided, on a whim, to turn around and stop.
I'm glad we did!
This small cheese factory specializes in brie and camembert cheeses made in the French style. Nice cheeses for a picnic or to take home to enjoy with friends. Prices were pretty reasonable (as compared to some of the other creameries located nearer to tourist-trafficked areas.).
The young woman servicing the cheese counter was personable and friendly, answering any questions that we had about the cheeses made there.
This business has a ~large~, beautiful picnicking area with plenty of shade, so bring a blanket , cheese board, and bottle of wine and plan on a lunch or snack stop here.
(If you're on a bike, this place is really an oasis of rest and renewal.) -
Review from Casey T.
Fairfield, CA
9/7/2011
When can I go back?!!!
I got the Livingsocial deal and was able to get in on a Sunday for the special tour. They only offered the special tour on Fri, Sat, and Sun which should have been included in the Livingsocial information. My boyfriend and I were able to get a "private" tour since the other couple cancelled that day and we had the place to ourselves.
Yes, the weekend they do not make cheese but was fun to see the cheese in the aging cellars which was special for this tour as well as the extra tastings and wine. The tour guide also gave us a goodie bag with four cheeses, a cheese board and knife! I did not think they were going to be that generous. We had the best time, it only took about an hour and we stayed at the picnic area for a bit.
The coffee is Thanksgiving coffee and is amazing too!
Great place for families and couples, bike riders, cheese lovers, and anyone...only people I would caution are those who do not like birds. The geese were a bit scary.
Please, Cheese Factory, do another Livingsocial type promo! I want to wear my sterile suit and see the aging cheese! -
Review from Eric B.
5/28/2011
The Marin French Cheese Company is a manufacturer of artisan cheese and is located in rural west Marin County (between Point Reyes Station and Petaluma). The company was founded in 1865 by Jefferson Thompson, and produces cheeses under the Rouge et Noir brand name. It is the oldest cheese manufacturer still in operation in the United States. The facility consists of a 425-acre dairy ranch in the Hicks Valley, which includes a 9,000-square-foot cheese processing and retail sales facility, as well as a variety of barns, storage buildings and a pond-side picnic area.
Gayle, my son and I sort of found this place by accident and we almost passed it by as we were marveling at the scenery. Your really can't miss it, but if you're heading East and pass the Marin Fire Department Station, you've gone too far. We went in and after a little sampling, bought a few rounds of cheese and some crackers and headed out to one of the picnic tables. The only thing missing was some wine and maybe some warmer weather. This is a really cool place and I wouldn't mind coming back for a tour and more. -
Review from Erin S.
Santa Rosa, CA
6/19/2011 1 photo
Driving to Point Reyes we decide to stop by. The place was a lot bigger than I imagined. The shop had everything for a picnic in case you forgot. From wine to beer to olive oil to little munchies and plenty of cheese samples.
My favorites were the blue and schloss, but we couldn't pass up the deal for 5 for 20. The lady helping us even through in another one on us. The hospitality here was top notch. Without even asking questions she started explaining the varieties and giving us suggestions on which cheeses were ready to eat now. I really appreciated that. Most creameries I have been to just stare at you while you eat their samples. It was nice to have some interaction.
We left happy and supplied for our oyster trip. -
Review from Lindsay Z.
San Francisco, CA
5/28/2011
I had never heard of this place before seeing the Living Social deal for their VIP tour. But after checking out their website, I knew I had to go. I bought the deal, and took my boyfriend up here for his birthday. We had a fabulous time!
After dressing in white haz-mat looking suits, complete with booties and hairnets (to protect us from the mold), we were brought downstairs where they make their cheese. Our guide was very knowledgeable and great to talk to, giving us the history of the place and answering all the questions we had. She showed us two different chilling rooms, where we could see the difference between the new cheeses and the older, fuzzy white ones (moldy in a good way). Walking around made us start salivating, and we couldn't wait for the samples. Our guide told us to pick a picnic table outside and she'd meet us out there with our spread (pics to come when I get around to uploading).
We picked a table near the pond, which was a beautiful place to sit on a warm sunny day. Our guide wheeled over a cooler, and talked us through a sampler of all the deliciousness. Their Brie even beat out the French in competition, it is amazing! Our other favorite was the Schloss. We were underwhelmed with the Blue Cheese, but everything was really tasty. We even got samples to take home with us!
Also, you can bring your own picnic and hang out here, or you can get cheeses and sandwiches from their general store. -
Review from Ana B.
San Francisco, CA
5/9/2011
This past weekend the Marin French Cheese Co. was selling your choice of any eight 8-ounce cheeses for $20. Yes, 8 for $20! Oui, oui! I don't know if this is typical or a holiday weekend special, but what a deal. They mainly specialize in Rouge et Noir Brie and Camembert and have a nice assortment of wine and specialty jams, jellies, vinegars, olive oils and salts. It's also a gorgeous setting for a picnic by the pond.
P.S. Watch out for the Canadian geese who somehow got lost from the flock and didn't quite make to down to Lake Merritt. They like to leave presents...Listed in: Cheese, Glorious Cheeeeeese!
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Review from Trishia P.
Long Beach, CA
7/6/2011
As part of the family treks (we just love car rides) one of our stops is the Cheese Factory also known as Rouge et Noir. They sell the cheese at Costco too.
I love this little place! They have a picnic area with a pond and ducks! But they also got yummy, creamy, delectable cheese. My favorites are the Triple Cream Brie, Brie, and the Camembert. Although they are pricey, these cheeses are hormone free and so rich and creamy. French bread is a must. -
Review from Karena Q.
San Francisco, CA
7/30/2011
A group of us bought a Living Social deal for a VIP tour and tasting. No one really knew what we were getting into, but we were all super excited. Who doesn't love a day of cheese tasting??
We suited up and took a quick tour of the facilities before we were brought outside for a leisurely outdoor cheese and wine tasting. Our tour guide was phenomenal. She was super friendly, knowledgable, generous with the wine and cheese, AND she even watched our backs when some cranky guests put up a stink about our reserved picnic table.
Apparently the tour/tasting is a new thing they are testing out and each lucky visitor walks away with a goody bag full of some cheese samples, cheese board and knife.
The cheese here is fantastic. I definitely recommend the blue brie and the schloss if you're into super stinky cheeses. YUUMMMM. -
Review from Binh D.
6/20/2011
3.5 stars
Pros: Cool little general store to pick up everything you need for a simple picnic, cheese, wine, salami etc and a nice picnic area outside. Great service too.
Cons: A little pricey, sometimes crowded, cheeses are okay, they could be aged a little more and you can smell the nearby cows when you're outside.
Overall: Worth stopping by if you want an outdoor picnic area. -
Review from Amy Y.
6/13/2011
Triple Cream Brie and Breakfast cheese are must get- creamy, flavorful, and the most succulent and smooth texture.
If you're planning a visit to this factory, pack some crackers and bread, jam of your choice (they also have it in the store) and some drinks and you'd be able to enjoy a very nice picnic at the lakeside picnic benches. -
Review from Marko M.
8/23/2011 14 photos
Four Stars for the Cheese Factory in Petaluma, CA. You would have gotten a SOLID 5-star rating from me, if it weren't for the very moody manager in the cheese store (see below).
So I've been on vacation in Napa Valley / Calistoga and on my way through Petaluma, we decided to stop in at this very famous Cheese Factory. It is a MUST STOP if you are ever in the area! We went on a cheese-making tour, which was very informal and informative. They take you into one of the rooms that they are making cheese right in front of you (although you are standing behind glass windows).
The factory cheese store is AMAZING! They have almost all of their cheeses out for you to sample (you cut your own size cheese). I must have tried 5-7 different cheeses in there. The cheeses are very reasonably priced - something like 5 pieces for $20. My favorites were the Triple Cream Brie, Brie, and the Camembert. Very unique was the Schlosskranz, which was the most aged cheese. Superb flavor and very aged. I also tried the Melange Brie, Tomato Basil, Dejeuner, and Chevre Blue. Prices of the cheese are all really fairly cheap. It makes it easy to buy a selection to taste test with friends.
The store has a lot of different items - ranging from Tshirts ($19 each - OUCH!), Sweatshirts ($39 - OUCH), wines, honeys, jams, coffee mugs, etc. Fun to shop in here.
After buying your cheese, you are welcomed to picnic on the grounds. They boast a beautiful lake with tons of Canadian Geese, who are all very tame and eager to do back flips for treats (just kidding). It's a relaxing and serene place to enjoy a meal and drink with your family and friends.
My main complaint about this place was that the young woman who seemed to have been the store manager was a bit snippy with our party. My aunt, who is a food and wine expert from the Napa Valley, had purchased some of the Rouge et Noir brie a few weeks prior to our visit and the cheese was solid / premature. She told the lady behind the counter about her situation of buying cheese that was too young, and the lady's response was, "Well we have orders we need to fill for the grocers so they may get some cheese that is too young." When my aunt asked about how the date stamp in the back of the cheese worked (which in most products, the date stamp is the date the cheese is ready or expired), the lady's response was, "Go to our brochures or our website and it will tell you how to read and interpret those dates". When my aunt persisted in saying that the dates of the products meant nothing becuase it could be interpreted may different ways (when to eat the cheese; when it expired; when it is 30 days prior to spoiling, etc), the lady's response was, "just go to our literature and learn...". YIKES. I think this lady was the store manager because she was pretty short and rude to the other employees in the store....
Other than this grumpy gal behind the cashier / counter, our visit was A+. -
Review from Steven C.
San Rafael, CA
10/20/2011
My second favorite place on earth!
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Review from Erin L.
Novato, CA
5/30/2011 1 photo
LOVE:
- Gorgeous lakeside setting.
- Picnic benches and expansive lawns for picnics.
- Deli with sandwiches, chips, drinks, cookies, etc. if you'd prefer to purchase lunch on site.
- Local wines and food items on sale in the shop.
A LITTLE LESS LOVE:
- Sadly, wasn't a huge fan of the cheese. One was terribly salty, the others fine but unremarkable.
- Really crowded on weekends. Be prepared to fight your way to the cheese counter.
*Overall verdict: The setting alone makes this place special and worth visiting. For those of us lucky enough to live in the area, it's a place you'll surely return regularly. I'd like to try more of their cheese and am hoping the samples I tried were an anomaly. I'd also like to take the tour at some point. -
Review from Kristin X.
San Lorenzo, CA
6/14/2011
I was so excited to get fresh cheese directly from the source. The cheese was so fresh and creamy. I like how they provided plenty of cheeses for everyone to sample so they can find the flavor that suits them.
We loaded up on tons of brie (6 for $20 sale), salami, roasted peppers, crackers, and lemon cheesecake. Then we took our goodies to the picnic table by the lake and proceeded to have a feast. The brie is so creamy and just melts in your mouth. Assembling the ingredients on the crackers was so much fun (YAY! Grown up lunchables). Then we finished it off with the lemon cheesecake. The cheesecake was made with brie, so it had a very creamy texture. I would have bought some more, but had to restrain myself because those bad boys contain way too may calories.
Love this place! -
Review from David P.
2/12/2011
When cowgirls* get the blues, and need a pick me up, they come to the Marin French Cheese Co. for a pick me up. I dare any Frenchman to a blind taste test with the best French brie & camembert.
Picnic area overlooks a nice little lake framed by pastures and rolling hills. Great place to partake of your purchases of fresh cheeses, crackers and local wines.
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*http://www.cowgirlcrea.../ -
Review from Brett M.
San Francisco, CA
6/14/2011
I don't know why I do this to myself, but when I'm riding up on my bike from SF I can't resist grabbing a brie and salami sandwich and a cup of coffee at the turnaround for the day. So good. they have so much other good stuff there, but that's what I go for. Would love to head back and actually figure out what else they have, but after 2 hours biking, my stomach calls.
Big picnic areas outside make for a relaxing time before heading back on the road. Always happy and helpful too!
Not quite sure why Yelp puts it on the map where it does. The store front is on Red Hill/Point Reyes Petaluma Rd. about a quarter mile SW of Novato Blvd. -
Review from Connie V.
Fountain Valley, CA
8/19/2011
We love the Triple Creme Brie & Gouda cheese from Marin Cheese!!! It is worth the drive to get here. Free samples!! And the prices are great too! So you have to stock up! We bought some of the brie cheese at the farm, pate & breads from the local Wholes Food market and had a relaxing picnic near the pond right next to the farm. Trust me! We love cheese & the cheese here was super!! :)
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Review from Karen M.
9/5/2011
Really nice stop to enjoy a great picnic, with amazing cheese. Even thought it was crowded we got in and out fairly quick. Cheese was delicious and enjoyed a nice picnic on their tables outside. Check it out you will enjoy
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Review from Melisa G.
Concord, CA
3/8/2011
Great place to eat lunch! Beautiful lake and ducks for the kiddos to feed.
They only have Brie so not a lot of tasting.... but if you like Brie then you will LOVE this place! The more you buy, the cheaper it gets! Plus if the ripe date is approaching.... you can always freeze it (if you will be cooking with it). -
Review from Athena S.
1/17/2011
Folks, please don't get all hot & bothered if you're expecting a major cheese tour with tons of free samples, this place is offers a simple tour to show you where excellent cheese is, in fact, made. It offers a a quaint little shop with lovely picnic grounds to enjoy your cheese, bread and wine. It's not a major factory you can tour and taste, it's a place to BUY. Service has always been extremely helpful when I've gone,
which was much more frequent when I lived off off the Atherton exit and of course, in my beloved Petaluma.
Here's their 5 stars& some Athena tips to go with them:
1. Rouge et Noir Camembert - full in flavor and probably calories too! Cheese like this makes me happy to hit an extra spin class. :)
2. Rouge et Noir Triple Crème Brie - I like this one with champagne.
And yes, champagne and brie work surprisingly well. Try it sometime!
3. Rouge et Noir Marin French Gold - I love this one with fruit.
4. Rouge et Noir Yellow Buck Chèvre - amazing with a full bodied red
5. Rouge et Noir Breakfast Cheese - so yummy on a fresh baguette or even on a crumpet. Life is so delicious when you enjoy crumpets in the a.m.
Note: If you're stopping here on your way out to the coast, bring a cooler because you will want to shop and not leave the cheese in a hot car. -
Review from Susan S.
10/13/2010
The glutton in me is drawn to any venue that combines the name of a food with the word "factory." The Cheese Factory, home of the Marin French Cheese Company ,only partially fulfills the food factory's implicit promise of free samples and a glimpse into the secret workings of food creation. You can get some free samples here, but the small location is really a shop rather than tour-able factory.
The real draw of the location is the small pond with picnic tables. It's a great place to stop if you're going for a country drive (as we were). You can pick up some cheese and crackers for an impromptu picnic--they even sell small cheese boards and knives probably for just this purpose.
And of course the cheese is amazing--the Marin French Cheese brie did win the World Championship of cheese. Take that, France. -
Review from Bridget W.
Laguna Beach, CA
7/1/2010 4 photos
If it is sunny out, you will find me here.
Just 20 minutes from Mill Valley, this is the perfect, cheesy sanctuary. If you are unfamiliar with the brand, Rouge et Noir is a highly regarded cheese. In other parts of California, New York, etc., this good stuff is a bit pricey. However, if you make the beautiful drive out to their superb location, you will find the most amazing fresh selection of creamy, soft cheeses for a quarter of the price.
You can normally find me under a shaded tree near their pond. With my enlightened turkey & Rouge et Noir brie sandwich, a glass of bubbly, some Chive quark, wine crackers, beloved dog and fiancé (in a heated Pente game.) The latest Newsweek only adds to the experience, as does the faint sound of Mooing from cows who just provided you with their bountiful dairy. -
Review from Raina C.
Monterey, CA
1/27/2011
Went to the cheese factory last week. Prior to going I was super excited-
eh- lets just say it was kind of a disappointment.
There were picnic tables and all as people have mentioned before- if we went for a picnic this place would be perfect.
I wasn't too impressed with the cheeses that we did taste- ended up leaving empty handed :( -
Review from JENELLE M.
Mountain View, CA
9/6/2011
I purchased a livingsocial deal for tour and tasting and couldn't have been more pleased! The cheese factory is set on a nice part of a valley with a little pond and tons of picnic tables. It is very quaint. the shop has lots of picnic gear and wine, and also offers sandwiches and breads in addition to samples of the cheeses. This place is primarily known for its brie and has won some international awards for it.
The VIP tour that we got to take included a trip down into the actual manufacturing and aging areas. We had to suit up in white jumpsuits, hairnets and plastic shoe covers. Since we were there on a Saturday, they weren't actually making the cheese, but if you go on a Tuesday or Wednesday for your tour, you would likely see the cheese being made. We were shown the aging area, where there are just stacks and stacks of cheese aging. If you are a cheese fan, you would like this.
My favorite part about this company is that it is small. Our guide, Jennifer had been working there since she was a teenager. All of the milk used to make the cheese comes from surrounding dairy farms and is brought in fresh weekly. The factory pasteurizes the milk the same day it arrives onsite, and then immediately start the cheese-making process. It is all made by hand in small batches. It is flipped by hand. It is packaged by hand. it is a family operation. I support that!
We got to taste so many varieties as part of our tour, which were paired with a chardonnay and a muscat. We also got to leave with a cheese board, cheese knife, cheese to take home, and a magnet. I also learned that this is just one cheese company on the "cheese trail".
My favorite was the breakfast cheese. it was wonderful.
Even if you don't have a VIP livingsocial tour, the cheese factory offers free general tours everyday 4 times a day. if you aren't even interested in purchasing cheese, this is still a great stop for a picnic. They don't seem to mind people stopping to enjoy the property. But you should go in and sample some of the cheese. it is so good and it would make you feel good to support an operation like this!
If you can't get up here, I learned they are selling variety packs of this cheese in some Costcos. Keep an eye out! -
Review from Linda M.
Petaluma, CA
8/25/2010
This is a perfect stop on your way out to Point Reyes or, if you're a local, a great little day trip. I grew up in Novato and have fond memories of this place. When I was little, it was all about chasing/feeding the geese. Nowadays I love going here to buy some fantastic brie to pair with crackers or a baguette and perhaps one of their pepper jellies to top it off. So delicious, and the location is amazing for lounging and having a picnic and relaxing. They are a small factory and their selection of cheese is somewhat limited, but what you gotta try is their brie! It's award-winning, fantastic, and much cheaper bought here than any other shop that carries this brand (Rouge et Noir.) They also have quark, which is made from curds, is low-fat, and comes in a variety of flavors. I personally love the stuff and there aren't too many places that carry it so that's a definite plus.
Come here for the beautiful setting on a nice day, perhaps enjoy a tour, sample some great cheeses, browse their selection of other items - from wine to chocolate, and enjoy a beautiful picnic. You won't regret it. -
Review from Stacy G.
7/25/2010
Stumbling upon the Cheese Factory felt like discovering an oasis in the middle of the desert. Surrounded by rolling hills and grazing cows, the Factory blends in with miles of similar West Marin surroundings. But the quaint-looking, quiet location is worth a stop, wherever you may be headed next, or even as a final destination.
Famous for their Rouge et Noir brand of Brie, Camembert, Breakfast Cheese, and other cheeses which are widely available in supermarkets, the Factory strikes me as an ideal one-stop spot to gather the necessary ingredients for a picnic. Aside from the obvious cheese selection, we also found an impressive offering of freshly baked breads, antipasti, cured meats, olive oils, condiments, vinegars, jams/preserves, wine, and pre-made sandwiches.
Most adorable of all (in my opinion) were the picnic backpacks for sale, which come equipped with plates, silverware, napkins, a side pouch for wine or other beverage, and plenty of room for edibles inside.
If it's a picnic you want, you won't have to go far to find a good place to share it. The grounds are charming, with a pond and plenty of shade and picnic tables for a relaxing lunch. Check it out next time you're in the area- you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Mario D.
Novato, CA
2/8/2011 1 photo
Another place I've been frequenting since I was very young. The cheese is VERY good and the grounds are beautiful.
They know how to pair and it seems like the same family has lived there since I was in diapers.
All in all I've had better cheese and been to better factories but this place will never be replaced in my childhood memories.
OMG and the Schlosskranz-Herz is to die for..... *drool* -
Review from Yvonne L.
CA
8/15/2010
Great stop before a hike at Point Reyes. Taste some soft cheeses, pick up items for a picnic, including wine. I thought the cheeses i tasted were too mild. Maybe they needed to age a little longer at home. I bought the schloss cheese, Marin french blue, and yellow buck chevre without tasting it first. The schloss cheese is excellent! I will let the other two cheeses age a little before i try it.
There is a small pond and some picnic tables on site as well as a small parking lot. I can't wait to try more cheese from Petaluma!
P.S. They sell small cheesecakes too. -
Review from Carol H.
San Francisco, CA
12/19/2010 8 photos
On a ride in the country, we discovered The Marin French Cheese Co. What a delightful place for a picnic! The grounds are picturesque and include a pond, picnic tables, clean bathrooms, views of rolling hills and plenty of free parking. The cheese is wonderful and they sell fresh baguettes and bottles of wine to go with it! I particularly like the fresh ready-made sandwiches and deli-type side salad selections. We always buy some cheese to enjoy at home too.
The customer service could be improved upon. Basically, it's a training issue. Teaching the finer aspects of friendly customer service to their young staff would be much appreciated by customers.
Located just 10 minutes west of the city of Novato. It's an easy and fun outing. I look forward to when they do have tours available. Great place to take family photos. "Who" is swimming in the pond changes according to the birds that migrate through the area. Last time I was there in October, Canadian Geese were calling the place home. In summer the surrounding hills are golden, in winter the hills are emerald green.
You're out of range with cellular devices here, which is a breath of fresh air in my book. You can really take in the moment without the noise of the outside world. It's just you and yours and your cheese! -
Review from Blake B.
5/31/2011
After wanting to do a cheese tour in Petaluma this weekend and finding not many places open, the Cheese Factory was our highlight. The grounds were very tranquil with a nice little pond in front and tons of grass area. They had a good sampling of cheeses and we ended up with Castle which was very good and had a nice flavor.
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Review from Paul p.
Provo, UT
8/16/2011
Not the biggest Brie fan, but this little place was fun to visit. It was a nice little drive out in the country and it is located next to a small pond and a field with picnic benches and unusual playground merry-go-rounds. They did have Brie samples but the paper-like cracker they served them on made you not want to go back for seconds or thirds. We bought a wheel to put on our own cracker later. I enjoyed the greater variety of cheeses at the Vella cheese factory in Sonoma. The setting was worth the drive...the cheese and actual store part may be more or less enjoyable depending on how passionate you are about brie and camembert.
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Review from Robert S.
Los Angeles, CA
4/23/2010
This is an old cheese factory located prominently along the way between Petaluma and Pt. Reyes in this dairy/cheese making region of northern California. The setting is very quaint and pastoral next to a lake with rolling hills visible in all directions and several pleasant picnic tables to eat at in a grassy area around the lake.
While the location and setting are great, unfortunately they really only have brie or related cheeses and they do not have any of the better aged French cheeses or French cheeses make from cows milk.
Of the cheeses I tried, their blue cheese was the best but is was bland and gooey and not really worthwhile.
It may be unfair for me to review a place that only produces a variety of cheese that I don't like, however, it did say "French" cheese and in reality there are many French cheeses that I do like, just not brie.Listed in: San Francisco Bay Area, Cheese Makers - across the USA
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Review from bill s.
San Rafael, CA
4/5/2010
I've been coming to the Cheese Factory since I was a kid. Here's a few tips:
1). Bring money. Good aged Brie and similar cheeses are never cheap - have never been cheap, and a 'cheap date' it ain't. Plus, once you start tasting, you're going to start collecting these round and wedge shaped little bits of sinful heaven.
2). Don't come to stay inside. The best part of being here, other than the cheese, is the beautiful duck pond outside, dotted with lots of picnic tables. Come on a nice day and enjoy the gorgeous rolling hills, gentle breeze and the errant goose or blackbird begging for a cracker.
3). Not a good place for a big dog - you can't let them run and they're going to be temped by the various waterfowl. At least not in the pond area - there is a second field on the western side of the property with lots of room that might be (?) more dog-friendly.
4). Sample everything, grab a bottle of vino or juice, some crackers and perhaps some salami. Don't forget a knife and maybe a jar of local produced olives or similar to weight down your bag and napkins, because it does often get breezy.
5). Definitely check out the tour!
6). With some great cheese in your belly, look up at the clouds, listen to the wind in the trees, the quacking of ducks and realize that it doesn't get a whole lot better than this. -
Review from Keiko S.
10/20/2008 9 photos
Whether you're heading out to the wine country or to Point Reyes or wherever, this should be your MUST STOP.
It's a perfect place to pick up some bread, cheese, spreads, deli meat, wine...and weather permitting, have a picnic outside.
Walk around and you'll get to sample different kinds of cheese, observe the cheese-making process in the back, and simply awe at the number of national, state and local awards in the display cases.
Anyway, FIVE solid stars for this place...it actually made us forget that we're lactose intolerant. It's THAT good. -
Review from jill j.
Mill Valley, CA
3/21/2008
A sweet spot for a picnic! You don't even need to bring anything. They have cheese galore (local brie, camembert, and quark (like cream cheese)) and loaves of bread and beverages and wine ... and they'll even give you a plastic knife to spread the cheese. They had pre-made sandwiches which, oddly enough, were all sandwich MEATS or pre-sliced swiss cheese ... none of their OWN cheese. This struck me as odd, but I was busy sampling, so I let it go. Did I mention the samples!!??!?! They put Whole Foods and Costco to shame, at least when it comes to cheese. My favorite: the jalapeno quark!
An idyllic pond to sit next too, nice grassy area if you have a picnic blanket and picnic tables if you don't, and nice clean bathrooms if you biked here from SF under the influence of a good strong caffeinated beverage!Listed in: Yummy in the Tummy, Cheap Dates
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Review from mary r.
Petaluma, CA
8/28/2007
Growing up with a widow as a mom, you don't always have a lot of options for field trips. Great America? Marine World? Cal-Skate? Baseball games? Not so much...but the Cheese Factory? All the mutha-fuqqing time. It's free, kid-friendly, in a bucolic setting---my mom would bring her own cheese and boxed wine and let us kids run wild...like the geese and feral kittens they have on the grounds there.
And now that I'm all grows up, I drink my own wine and enjoy other people's feral kids (um, I mean well-behaved cherubs, of course). It's also dog-friendly, so bring your dog, but I think they have to stay on their leashes. I tell people all the time that this is my favorite place on the planet. I may be exaggerating a *tiny* bit, but this has always been a great place to spend the day. Plus, they let you taste all the cheeses (they even have tours so you can watch them make it!) and you can buy everything there. If you're not as ghetto as we were and don't want to haul everything from home, they have a nice selection of wine, sandwiches, pickles, salami, bread, FIG COMPOTE and other fancy spreads, etc. It's a wonderful place to sit in the sun, eat delicious cheese (stock up on extra Camembert and "Breakfast Cheese"), get your chilled white wine on and relax out in the country.
