Cheese day in West Marin

Point Reyes Farmstead, Nicasio Valley, and Marin French, with oysters in Marshall on the way home. A day trip, not a dairy dump.

This is a day. Start at Point Reyes Farmstead for the blue cheese made a few hours after milking, then head inland to the Lafranchi ranch in Nicasio and on to Marin French, making cheese in Hicks Valley since 1865. Come back to the bay over the Marshall-Petaluma Road and finish with oysters at The Marshall Store. One thing to know before you plan around it: Cowgirl Creamery closed its Point Reyes Station shop in September 2022. The cheese is still made, in Petaluma now, and their store locator lists who carries it, but there is no counter to visit.

Oysters on Tomales Bay.

Point Reyes Farmstead, visit the farmNicasio Valley CheeseMarin French Cheese, visit usPoint Reyes Light on the Cowgirl closureCowgirl Creamery store locator

  1. Point Reyes Station

    Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese

    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. The marketplace is at 14700 Shoreline Highway, three miles north of town, Monday through Saturday, 11 to 4. No appointment to buy cheese. Tastings at The Fork are reservation only.

  2. Nicasio

    Nicasio Valley Cheese Company

    The Lafranchi family has run this ranch since 1919 and started making cheese from their own organic milk in 2010. The shop at 5300 Nicasio Valley Road is open daily, 10 to 5. Guided tastings run Friday and Saturday mornings, April through September, and need booking.

  3. Hicks Valley

    Marin French Cheese

    A Petaluma mailing address, but this is Marin County, on the Point Reyes-Petaluma Road. Making cheese here since 1865. The shop is open daily 11 to 6, the cafe 11 to 5, and there are picnic tables by the pond. They will pack a picnic basket if you book it ahead.

  4. Marshall

    The Marshall Store

    Oysters from Tomales Bay Oyster Company, grilled or raw, with a view of the bay. On Highway 1 up the east shore of Tomales Bay, north of Point Reyes Station. From Marin French, the Marshall-Petaluma Road drops you right there. Check the site before you go, since hours change with the weather.