Farms

West Marin is where the dairies, ranches, and Tomales Bay oysters actually are. Point Reyes Farmstead still makes Original Blue from their own cows, a few hours after milking. Straus supplies the soft serve you see at Woodlands and Super Duper. Hog Island in Marshall is the oyster farm everyone visits.

Start with the cheese day trip, the oysters guide, or the farmers markets page — then pick a farm below.

• Bivalve DairyPoint Reyes Station

  Small-batch, pasture-raised dairy on the Point Reyes peninsula. Their A2 milk and cultured butter show up at local restaurants and farmers markets.

• Fresh Run FarmBolinas

  Organic vegetables on the mesa in Bolinas. Find them at the Civic Center farmers market on Sundays.

• Hog Island Oyster Co.Marshall

  The oyster farm on Tomales Bay everyone visits. Shuck-your-own on Thursdays is walk-in. Friday through Monday is the full cafe — reservations recommended.

• Marin Coast RanchTomales

  Fifth-generation ranch on 3,500 acres along the coast. Grass-fed beef raised on the same land since the 1860s.

• Marshall Home RanchMarshall

  A working cattle ranch on Tomales Bay that also welcomes guests. The cabin and farmhouse rentals put you on 1,000 acres of rolling hills.

• Nicasio Valley Cheese Co.Nicasio

  The Lafranchi family has run this ranch since 1919 and started making cheese from their own organic milk in 2010. The shop is open daily, 10 to 5.

• Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.Point Reyes Station

  The Giacominis have been milking cows overlooking Tomales Bay since 1959. Original Blue is made on the farm, from their own cows, a few hours after milking.

• Stemple Creek RanchTomales

  Grass-fed, pasture-raised beef and lamb on a regenerative ranch in Tomales. Order online or find their meat at Good Earth and local markets.

• Straus Family CreameryMarshall

  The first certified organic dairy west of the Mississippi, founded in 1994. The soft serve in that glass bottle cap shows up all over the county.

• Toluma FarmsTomales

  Goat and sheep dairy on a regenerative farm in Tomales. Their cheeses are at local markets and through their farm club.