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Home | Family Farm Tours in Marin and Sonoma County

Family Farm Tours in Marin and Sonoma County

Baby animal at Windrush Farm

Spring is here, and it's time to enjoy a day on the farm! We're lucky to live in an area that's surrounded by some of the country's top agricultural producers, and some of them offer farm tours for the whole family. On a tour, you can meet animals, learn where your food comes from, and find out about the efforts that local farmers take to provide us with high quality food. My kids love to visit farms, especially at this time of year when there are plenty of cute baby animals to see.

Here are some of the farms in Marin and Sonoma County that offer public tours. Some are free, and some require advance reservations and payment. Please keep in mind that these are all real working farms, some of which raise animals for human consumption. All these tours are suitable for families.

Blossoms, Bees & Barnyard Babies, Sonoma County

Various farm locations in Sonoma County
www.farmtrails.org

On Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, 2024, Sonoma County Farm Trails offers its annual Blossoms, Bees & Barnyard Babies event, where farm hosts will offer tours, activities, demonstrations, animal petting, crafts for kids, and more. Some farms will offer snacks, lunches, and picnic sites. Admission is free. Learn more and register here.

Slide Ranch, Muir Beach

2025 Shoreline Highway, Muir Beach 94965
(415) 381-6155
slideranch.org

Overlooking the Pacific in Muir Beach, Slide Ranch is a real working farm located on the lands of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Families can visit and explore the grounds, hike the trails, and have a picnic daily from dusk to dawn. The ranch also offers frequent family programs, including Family Farm Days and campouts where you can milk a goat, feed the chickens, harvest vegetables, and much more.

Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT)

Point Reyes Station, 94956
(415) 663-1158
www.malt.org

Visit some of West Marin's farms and ranches on a MALT hike or tour! MALT is an organization that protects Marin County's agricultural lands, and they offer numerous hikes, picnics, tours, and other events throughout the year. Most hikes and tours are open to both members and the general public. Prices vary, but kids under 12 are usually free. Advance reservations are required.

Rancho Compasión, Nicasio

2600 Nicasio Valley Road, Nicasio 94946
(415) 250-1099
www.ranchocompasion.org

Want to learn about rescued farmed animals and meet them in person? Every second Saturday of the month from 1:30–3 pm, Rancho Compasión opens its doors to visitors aged 12 and older for a fun-filled and information-packed Visitors Day tour. Nestled in the rolling hills of West Marin, Rancho Compasión provides a forever home to cows, pigs, turkeys, goats, sheep, donkeys, ducks, and chickens. Visitor Days cost $30 per person, and registration ends at 5 pm the Thursday before the event.

Hog Island Oyster Co., Marshall

20125 Shoreline Highway, Marshall 94940
hogislandoysters.com

Learn all about oyster farming at a Hog Island Oyster Co. tour at their location on Tomales Bay. Classic Farm Tours teach you all about the oyster farming and how to shuck and taste an oyster and the Whole Hog Experience includes shucking tools to take home and a chef's tasting. Tours cost $48–$180 for adults and kids under 12 are free on the Classic Farm Tour and pay $50 for the Whole Hog. They also offer educational tours for school groups. (All tours are land-based and do not include a boat ride.)

Toluma Farms & Tomales Farmstead Creamery, Petaluma

5488 Middle Road, Petaluma 94952
(707) 878-2142

www.tolumafarms.com

Tour this goat and sheep dairy in West Marin and learn about the farm's history, visit animals, hike to the pastures, and see how cheese is made. Guided tours take place the first Sunday of each month from 1 to 3 pm and cost $40 for adults, $20 for children, and $5 for kids under 5; reservations required. Private tours for groups of 10 or more are available, as well as school educational tours.

Windrush Farm, Petaluma

2263 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma 94952
(707) 775-3360

windrushfarm.wordpress.com
This working sheep farm in Chileno Valley offers family farm tours by reservation. Meet sheep, lambs, chickens, Bell the Jersey cow, llamas, alpacas, and Duncan the Angora rabbit. Take a walk around the pond learning about the wild side of the farm. You are welcome to bring a lunch or snack and picnic at the pond. Cost: $150 for 2 adults and 2 children or 4 adults (additional adults $35, children over 10 $10).

Acadinha Cheese Company, Petaluma

750 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma 94952
(707) 763-1025
www.achadinha.com

Learn more about ranch life at Acadinha Cheese Company's traditional farm tour! Guests will be treated to a full ranch tour that includes everything from the cheese plant, milking parlor, and the loafing barns where the girls (goats and cows) hang out, and of course cheese tastings. Tours take place on Saturdays at 11 am and advance reservations are required. Cost: $40 for adults, $10–$20 for children depending on age, free for kids 5 and under.

Charlie's Acres, Sonoma

3201 Napa Road, Sonoma 95476
(707) 204-0020
www.charliesacres.org

This farm animal sanctuary in Sonoma offers weekly community tours as well as private tours. 90-minute tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays for a suggested donation of $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Advance reservations are required. Private tours are recommended for families with small children as they can be adjusted to move at a slower pace.

Bees N Blooms Farm, Santa Rosa

3883 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa 95404
(707) 293-8293

Learn more about how lavender is grown and processed and what goes on behind the scenes in a honey bee colony. Free self-guided tours at Bees N Blooms are available on any open-farm weekend, starting Easter weekend, March 30 and 31 and leading into Lavender Daze from May 18–mid July. Get a farm map at the farm stand and go explore the farm! They also offer group tours and mini tours (generally held during Sonoma County Farm Trails weekends).

American Made Miniatures Farm Sanctuary, Petaluma

(707) 778-2060
www.americanmademiniatures.com

The public is invited to come visit, feed, pet, and learn about the animals at this farm sanctuary in Petaluma. The farm is open to visitors by appointment only; one-hour tours take place Monday–Saturday from sunrise to sunset and cost $30 for adults and $20 for children.