We will meet at the Starbucks in the Terra Linda / Safeway shopping center - 260 Northgate Dr, San Rafael, CA 94903 between 0900-0945hrs for coffee and meet new and old friends. We’ll start the sign ins at 0945hrs and a prompt departure from the parking lot at 1000hrs at north end of the center’s parking lot, after the stop light, it will be north (left turn) on to Las Gallinas Ave, then we are off to our FSD adventure … please be aware of bicyclist and cows along the way!
Marin has been famous for cheese since 1865. Today we're going to visit a few of the most famous cheese producers and drive some of the most beautiful roads in California at the same time. Enjoy the summer scenery, drive through the magnificent redwood trees on Lucas Valley Road, then rolling hills as we turn (left) onto Nicasio Valley Road heading north toward our first stop.
Nicasio Valley Cheese Company
http://www.nicasiocheese.com/
5300 Nicasio Valley Road
Nicasio, CA
(Just past the town of Nicasio on the right side of the road.)
The La Franchi family enjoyed their traditional cheeses of their Swiss homeland and dreamed of making their own. Their organic dairy was the perfect resource to enable them to pay homage to their heritage.
We then continue north on Nicasio Valley Road to Pt. Reyes – Petaluma Rd., a right turn heading east, we will shortly arrive at our second stop.
Marin French Cheese Company
http://www.marinfrenchcheese.com/
7510 Pt Reyes Petaluma Rd
Petaluma, CA 94952
(Left side of road, about 10-15 min travel time from last stop)
The oldest continuously operating cheese factory in America! Marin French has specialized in hand made Brie and Camembert since 1865. In 2005 it was the first American producer to best France in international competitions.
We then continue (left turn) east on Pt. Reyes – Petaluma Rd (for 10 minutes) where we make a left turn on to Hicks Valley Road. Rolling hills, winding turns, great vistas lead us to the Marshall – Petaluma Rd. A left turn heads MBZr’s west towards Marshall and Highway #1. A left turn onto Highway #1 heads us south down the Tomales Bay water views and our final destination, The Cow Girl Creamery at Point Reyes Station.
Cowgirl Creamery
http://www.cowgirlcreamery.com/
80 4th Street
Point Reyes Station, CA
In 1997, Sue Conley and Peggy Smith built a small creamery in downtown Point Reyes Station and began making handcrafted cheese with local organic milk. They now produce three fresh and six aged cheeses.
While this is the end of our tour, it will be time for a later lunch with many great restaurants to choose from, or find a picnic table outside of the creamery and enjoy your selection of many cheeses that you have purchased! Thank you for your participation.
Questions: 510.912.1838 or 415.264.8773
Brief:
Start: Meet at Starbucks at 260 Northgate Dr, San Rafael, CA 94903 (San Rafael, Terra Linda - Safeway shopping center)
Depart: 1000hrs make way to Las Gallinas to left on to Lucas Valley Road.
Lucas Valley Road left to Nicasio Valley Road.
Nicasio Cheese Company (we stopped and advised owners of our arrival (1030hrs)
Depart: 1045hrs ish
Right onto Nicasio Valley Road, right onto Pt. Reyes - Petaluma Highway
10-15 mins, left into the Marin French Cheese Company parking lot.
Depart: 1130hrs ish
Left onto Pt. Reyes – Petaluma Highway to left on to Hicks Valley Road (10 mins)
From Hicks Valley Road, left turn onto Marshall – Petaluma Road to Hwy #1.
From Marshall – Petaluma Road left onto Hwy #1 towards Pt. Reyes Station.
Great water views heading south along of Tomales Bay.
Arrive: 1215hrs ish – Pt. Reyes Station home of The “Cow Girl Creamery.
Finish: Cow Girl Creamery, about lunch time … many great places to choose from to have lunch.
Plus many creative ways to return home!
