California is the largest milk producer in the country—and where there’s milk, there’s plenty of delicious cheese. The California Cheese Trail, an online map and guide to artisan cheesemakers and events, provides the perfect guide to dairy across the Golden State. Follow the map to explore innovative creameries, tour old-fashioned farms, learn how to craft your own cheese, and of course, taste plenty of the good stuff.
In 2010, self-professed “cow addict” Vivien Straus was looking for a way to promote local farmers in Marin County when she landed on the idea of a cheesemaker’s map and thus the concept of the Cheese Trail was born. The original trail focused on creameries just north of San Francisco, but nearly a decade later, the project has expanded across the state providing visitors with information on nearly every artisan making magic out of milk, acid, and time.
“I go visit cheesemakers as often as I can,” says Straus, whose family founded the first organic dairy west of the Mississippi. “It’s actually a great way to take a vacation. You get to learn directly from the farmer, and you end up seeing parts of California you might not otherwise.”
Before you embark on a cheese-filled adventure, Straus recommends downloading the latest Cheese Trail Map, updated annually. Your next step is to call ahead, as many farms require advance notice. Finally, come hungry and with an open mind. Zimmer says, “Don’t be afraid to try a stinky cheese, but don’t be too precious with [the tasting]. Have fun!”
Wherever you are in California, you’re likely to find an artisanal dairy within easy driving distance. If you’re looking for a few cheesemakers to put on your bucket list, here are a few good places to start, listed from south to north.
Gioia Cheese, South El Monte
This Los Angeles–area creamery was founded by a third-generation cheesemaker whose grandfather was one of Italy’s first burrata specialists. Ambience may not be the draw (cheese is sold in bulk out of the front office), but this is the place to find the freshest pasta filata cheese you’ve ever tasted. This delicious burrata has a shelf life of just five days, but trust us, that won’t be an issue.
Stepladder Ranch & Creamery, Cambria
Travel through time at family-owned Stepladder Ranch. The farm was founded in 1871 and not much has changed, including its long-standing commitment to sustainable practices. Book a Ranch & Creamery Tour to visit the beautiful orchards, sample seasonal fruit, interact with the LaMancha goats, and see how the cheese is made before tasting award-winning chèvres and triple crèmes.
Claravale Farm, Panoche
Purveyors of raw dairy products since 1927, San Benito County’s Claravale Farm is renowned for its commitment to traditional, natural methods of making natural rind, Gouda-style farmstead cheeses. Made from the milk of their Jersey cows and goats, these cheeses are crafted without pasteurization, allowing the natural enzymes and flavors to shine through. Also offered are stays in one of their four farmstead cabins; with each booking, visitors can enjoy a free dairy tour.
Rocky Oaks Goat Creamery, Clovis
In Fresno County, you can visit this farm where a closed herd provides the milk for authentic farmstead cheese. Pet the sweet goats, all of which are named after princesses and country singers, before tasting cheeses like the wine-soaked Vino Queso and the ash-salted Webes.
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., Point Reyes
This women-owned and -operated creamery has gained a nationwide following thanks to its top-notch cheeses, which include favorites Bay Blue and Tomarashi, a spice- and umami-infused semi-hard table cheese. Besides stocking up on their famous products, visit to Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. can also include the a “Tastings at the Farm” event, or an in-person class. (Warning: Classes can fill up months in advance.)
Ramini Mozzarella, Tomales
In 2008, Silicon Valley power couple Audrey Hitchcock and Craig Ramini decided to trade innovation in tech for innovation in cheese. The result? A picturesque farm near Tomales Bay where a herd of water buffalo power the first successful mozzarella di bufala production in the United States. Ramini passed away several years ago, but Hitchcock continues to keep their cheesemaking legacy strong. Book a tour to try your hand at milking one of the surprisingly sweet-tempered buffalo.
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, Willows
Originally selling their wedges out of local farmers’ markets and natural food stores nearly three decades ago, Ben Gregersen and John Dundon—aka Sierra Nevada Cheese Company—now helm their own shop in Willows, about 30 miles southwest of Chico. Their award-winning cheeses are made using traditional methods and milk from local, pasture-based family dairies, and include raw and pasteurized cheeses made from grass-fed cow and goat milk.
Cypress Grove, Arcata
Cypress Grove is one of the country’s most respected goat cheese producers, known for pioneering award-winning varieties like Humboldt Fog. Their signature soft-ripened and fresh chèvres are crafted using traditional French-inspired methods that emphasize flavor, texture, and consistency. While the Arcata creamery itself isn't open for tours, visitors can enjoy scenic views of the dairy and learn about humane animal practices.
Copeland Family Farms, Granada
This family-operated community farm, situated in Grenada, 30 miles north of Mt. Shasta in Siskiyou County, takes great pride in their pasteurization-free cheeses, which they’ve been crafting from the milk of their grass-fed herd for nearly five decades. Beyond cheese production, the operation also hosts cheesemaking classes on the last Saturday of each month, when guests can tour the farm and milking parlor and purchase cheeses directly from the source.
For more information, as well as cheese-centric road trip ideas, visit CheeseTrail.org.