Family Farm Tours in Marin and Sonoma County
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 most require advance reservations. 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 17 and 18, 2025, 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 and the annual Spring Fling 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.
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). Windrush Farm also offers Farm Music, a sing-along music series for babies, young children, and their caregivers. Join Farmer Arann and Miss Heidi on the farm to sing, move, and visit the animals! This spring's series start April 8 or 10 at 9 or 10:30 am.
Bale of Fun Farm, Petaluma
3688 Roblar Road, Petaluma 94952
(707) 694-7210
www.baleoffunfarm.com
This family-run "family fun" farm west of Petaluma is home to over 75 animals, from horses and goats to guinea pigs and rabbits, and offers 30-minute farm tours ($10 per person) where guests can pet and feed a variety of farm animals. Their 2025 season begins on April 25. Bale of Fun Farm also offers farm-themed birthday parties for kids.
Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary, Sebastopol & Santa Rosa
(707) 541‒6216
goatlandia.org
Come meet the herd on a Goatlandia public group tour! Guided 25-person tours take place at noon on Saturdays and some Sundays from April through November. Meet goats, cows, pigs, and sheep. Add-on plant-based box lunches are available to enjoy after your tour on the sanctuary grounds. Tours cost $25 per person or $55 with lunch.
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 first Saturday of the month from 11 am–1 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.
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 $15 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
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 March 28 and leading into Lavender Daze from mid May–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.
McEvoy Ranch, Petaluma
5935 Red Hill Road, Petaluma 94952
(707) 778-2307
www.mcevoyranch.com
This sprawling 550-acre olive ranch between Petaluma and Novato makes sustainably produced olive oil and olive oil-based skin-care products, and more. Public tours include a visit to the olive orchard, a chance to see outdoor art from the McEvoy family collection, see how olive oil is made in the frantoio (or pressing room), and taste some samples. Tours cost $55 and are free for children 5 and under.
Heidrun Meadery, Point Reyes Station
11925 State Route 1, Point Reyes Station 94956
(415) 663-9122
www.heidrunmeadery.com
Visitors to Heidrun Meadery in Point Reyes can learn about beekeeping and see honey bees in action as they produce the raw materials used to make the meadery's sparkling honey wine. One-hour tours ($45 per person) are offered on Saturdays at 11:30 am and are appropriate for children ages 7 and up. Grownups can sample the mead, too.
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.
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.
