Marin County Visitors Bureau - Attractions & Destinations

Marin County Visitors Bureau

Attractions & Destinations

Food & Wine | Recreational | Tours
Historical & Museums | Environmental | Cultural

Food & Wine
Marin County is becoming known as a center for organic food and cutting-edge organic farming techniques. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Marin County in 2005 to learn more about the organic farming methods being used by Marin’s growers.

The Marin Civic Center Certified Farmer’s Market has been chosen as one of the top ten markets in the nation, and local residents flock to their favorite farmers’ market each week to take home fresh, locally-grown produce.

Chefs from Marin’s top restaurants also select fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, and artisan breads at the local farmer’s markets to create their culinary delights. Marin has an extensive collection of American and international restaurants to delight any palate.

If you’re hankering for Afghani, Argentinean, Czech, Korean, Puerto Rican, Nepalese or Persian food, you can find it here, along with fine seafood, steakhouses and great California cuisine. Of course, you’ll want to accompany that appetizing dinner with some of California’s incomparable wines. You’re never far from outstanding food and wine anywhere in Marin County.

Marin County Farmers’ Markets
Marin County Farmer’s Markets have been in existence for 20 years. The Marin Civic Center Certified Farmers’ Market, the oldest of the markets in Marin County, showcases high quality farm fresh fruits and vegetables, most of them organically grown. Fish, meats, ranch eggs, fresh cut flowers, gourmet items, fresh breads and fine arts and crafts comprise the wares from over 150 venders. It has been chosen as the Best Farmers’ Market by Sunset Magazine and one of the top ten markets in the nation by the New York Times and Bon Appetit.

The Marin Civic Center Certified Farmers’ Market is open 8:00am-1:00pm, Thursday and Sunday, all year ’round. On Thursdays the market is located in the Veteran’s Memorial auditorium parking lot, Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. On Sunday the market is located in the Civic Center parking lot, Civic Center Drive, San Rafael.
Information: 800-897-FARM or www.marincountyfarmersmarkets.org.

The Marin County Farmers’ Market Association operates two other seasonal markets. The Fairfax Certified Farmers’ Market is held in the parking lot of the Fairfax Theatre in downtown Fairfax on Wednesdays from 4:00pm-8:00pm from June through September. This market has a great local following, because it’s a wonderful place to find organic produce.
Information: 800-897-FARM or www.marincountyfarmersmarkets.org.

The Old Town Novato Certified Farmers’ Market is held on Sherman Avenue in Old Town Novato on Tuesdays from 4:00pm-8:00pm, May-October. This market is popular with local residents as a place to shop for farm fresh produce or a quick entrée for dinner.
Information: 800-897-FARM or www.marincountyfarmersmarkets.org.

The Corte Madera Certified Farmers’ Market is held in the plaza at the Town Center in Corte Madera. Farm fresh produce and delicious baked goods are available at the market from noon-5:00pm every Wednesday, rain or shine, all year ’round.
Information: 415-382-7846 or www.cafarmersmarkets.com.

The Larkspur Certified Farmer’s Market is held in the Larkspur Landing Shopping Center, 8:00am-1:00pm every Saturday from May-October.
Information: 415-382-7846.

Downtown San Rafael Certified Farmers’ Market Festival is a community celebration on Fourth Street every Thursday night. Thousands of visitors browse the wares of 150 vendors in the five-block long festival. Free entertainment is offered at five different locations. In addition to certified farmer-direct produce, the Festival includes arts and crafts, barbeque and international dinners, clowns, balloons and activities for children. Open 6:00pm-9:00pm, Thursdays, April-September.
Information: 415-457-2266 or www.sanrafaelmarket.org.

The Point Reyes Certified Farmers’ Market received world-wide recognition when it was visited by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in November, 2005. The 10 year old market features the best that the region has to offer: locally grown organic produce, baked goods, artisan cheese, olive oils, home-made preserves, grass-fed beef, oysters, bee products and flowers. The market is open 9:00am-1:00pm every Saturday, June-October. It is located in Toby’s Feed Barn on Highway 1 in Pt. Reyes Station.
Information: 415-663-1535 or www.marinorganic.org.

Marin County Dairy Farms

Cowgirl Creamery
The Cowgirl Creamery was launched nine years ago in a renovated barn in Pt. Reyes Station. Using organic milk from the Straus Dairy, Cowgirl churns out 3,000 pounds of handmade cheese each week. Many of Cowgirl’s cheese have won awards for outstanding quality and taste including the 2003 Best of Show award at the American Cheese Society competition for its Red Hawk cheese. Visitors may observe cheese-making in action. The Cowgirl Creamery is located at 80 Fourth Street in Pt. Reyes Station and is open on Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00am-6:00pm. Group tours are held on Fridays at 11:30 a.m. There is a $3 charge for group tours, and reservations are required.
Information: 415-663-9335 or www.cowgirlcreamery.com.

Marin Cheese Factory
For more than 100 years the Marin French Cheese Company has refined its ability to produce authentic French Camembert and Brie cheeses. These soft-ripened cheeses are created from traditional recipes using traditional cultures. The Cheese Factory is open daily from 8:30am-5pm. Tours are held between 10am-4pm. The Cheese Factory is located on five acres of lawn with picnic tables and a duck pond. The barbeque area may be reserved for parties of up to 150 guests. A retail store complete with a deli and wine selections is part of the Cheese Factory’s complex. It is located just seven miles west of Novato at 7500 Red Hill Road.
Information: 707-762-6001 or www.marinfrenchcheese.com.

McEvoy Ranch
Located on 550 acres of rolling hills, the McEvoy Ranch, once a dairy farm, has been reincarnated as an organic olive tree orchard. The Ranch produces extra virgin olive oil in the Tuscan style with a rich, slightly peppery flavor. The olives are grown, harvested, milled and blended on the premises. The ranch includes an Italian olive oil mill, retail store, a two-acre organic garden, and a 42 foot high pavilion, reminiscent of a Chinese pagoda. Public tours of the ranch are available by reservation only. Private tours for groups or clubs can also be arranged. The ranch now offers tours of its gardens as well.
Tour Information: 866-617-6779, email tours@mcevoyranch.com or visit www.mcevoyranch.com.

Marin County Wineries
Pacheco Ranch Winery
Situated on 70 acres in the North Coast Viticultural Area of California’s famed wine country, the Pacheco Ranch Winery has a rich history. The winery is the site of a two-story Italianate home built by Gumesindo Pacheco in 1876. His great-grandson and wife operate the winery today. Since 1973 the Pacheco Ranch Winery has been producing award-winning cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay wines. They produce about 800 cases of handcrafted wines in their small, modern winery each year. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00am to 4:00pm; Sunday from 10:00am-3pm. Please call for an appointment to visit. The winery is located at 235 Alameda Del Prado in Novato.
Information: 415-883-5583 or www.pachecoranchwinery.com.

Point Reyes Vineyards
This Point Reyes vineyard has been farmed and operated by the Doughty family for three generations. Their tasting room features merlot, chardonnay, voignier, cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel and pinot noir wines. It is located at 12700 Highway 1 in Point Reyes Station and is open from 9am-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment.
Information: 415-663-1011 or www.ptreyesvineyardinn.com.

Ross Valley Winery
Since 1987 this small Marin County operation has specialized in transforming modest lots of unique grapes into vineyard designated wines. The Ross Valley Winery produces merlot, sauvignon blanc and zinfandel port wines. It is located in downtown San Anselmo at 343 San Anselmo Avenue. To taste some outstanding locally produced wines visit the winery between 1:00pm and 7:00pm on Tuesdays through Sundays.
Information: 415-457-5157 or www.rossvalleywinery.com.

Marin County Oyster Farms

Hog Island Oyster Company
Some of the best oysters in the west can be found at the Hog Island Oyster Company in Marshall. The company, founded and operated by marine biologists, grows and sells more than three million oysters each year. The unique natural conditions around Hog Island in Tomales Bay produce crisp, juicy, sea-sweet oysters. Hog Island Oyster Company is a working farm, but visitors are allowed on Tuesdays through Sundays between 9am and 5pm Reservations are required to use the small picnic area. $10 per person.
Information and reservations: 415-663-9218 x 208 or www.hogislandoyster.com.

Tomales Bay Oyster Company
California’s oldest continuously-run shellfish farm is the Tomales Bay Oyster Company. This certified Pacific oyster and mussel farm has been operating in Tomales Bay since 1909. Located five miles north of Pt. Reyes Station, the Tomales Bay Oyster Company is open from 8am-6pm every day. No reservations are needed for its bayside picnic area. Located at 15479 Highway One, Marshall.
Information: 415-663-1242 or www.tomalesbayoysters.com.

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Food & Wine | Recreational | Tours
Historical & Museums | Environmental | Cultural