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North Bay Farm Adventures

Find out where your food comes from and get to know your farmer spend a day on the farm in marin, sonoma, and beyond..

Family Farm Tours in Marin and Sonoma County

Hands-on Fun for Spring at Slide Ranch

Explore Sonoma County's Farms at Weekend Along the Farm Trails

A Visit to Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch

Family Farm Fun at Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch

Marin and Sonoma Pumpkin Patches 2023

Get Your Tickets Now for Pumpkins on Pikes at Tara Firma Farms

U-Pick Apples and More Farm Fun at Chileno Valley Ranch

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Culinary Marin

Culinary programs & tours.

There are a variety of culinary programs to choose from in Marin.  There are tours for kids and adults at the Farmers' Markets produced by Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM), otherwise known as the "Ag Institute"; chef dinners at the Key Room, a range of farm-to-table experiences, including cheese tastings, farm tours, and farm dinners at The Fork at Point Reyes and on a Food and Farm Tour.  Please note, due to current conditions, some of these experiences are temporarily unavailable.  Please contact them directly for questions. 

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Best of Marin County Food Tour: Hog Island Oyster Farm, Cowgirl Creamery, Brickmaiden Breads

• Discover many of Marin County’s top food producers in a single tour
• This small-group tour will have a maximum of just seven attendees
• Enjoy cheese, bread, oysters, wine, pastries, and more
• Discounts are available at select shops if you’re seeking edible souvenirs
• All tastings
• Professional guide
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Discounts at select shops during tour
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Additional food and drinks
• Beer and wine available for purchase
• Cowgirl Creamery Barn Shop & Cantina (In-Store), 80 4th St, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956, USA
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Transportation is wheelchair accessible
• Please note guests are responsible for transport to and from Point Reyes Station. Uber/Lyft are NOT available as it is a rural town and we recommend renting a car or using pre-booked car service if necessary.
• Tours run rain or shine
• Sunblock, hats and dressing in layers is recommended as weather can be unpredictable
• Cooler and cold packs are encouraged. There are lots of great foods to purchase during the tour
• California law requires tour guests to bring a car safety seat for all children under 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches (1.4 meters). Child seats are not provided on the tour
• Special dietary restrictions can be accommodated. For vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free guests, please advise at time of booking if you require special meals
• Bring cash for additional purchases. Some businesses do not accept credit or debit cards.
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

• LeslieZ14 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing experience We had so much fun with Casey! She was informative, passionate, flexible and accommodating. We definitely will be back to do another tour soon! Read more Written December 9, 2023
• 75galeb 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Food, learning, fun...what else could you want? Casey was an absolute jewel! It felt like a smart, funny friend took us to lunch (2 lunches, to be honest!) I learned more about oysters, sustainable agriculture and history all in a few hours. Wish we had time to do the cheese tour as well, I'm sure it would've been amazing. Read more Written June 9, 2023
• emilysmith373 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A progressive picnic We are a family of foodies so this tour was spectacular. Casey was incredibly knowledgeable about the area, and our visits were so fun. There was another couple on the tour, and by the end of the tour it seemed like we were picnicking with old friends. One thing I wish we would have done was actually tour each facility, meet with the oyster farmers/mead maker, see the bee hives, etc. If you leave the tour hungry it's your own fault! Read more Written May 26, 2023
• sonyab100 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highlight of our road trip down the California coast This tour was so fun, so educational, and so delicious. The cheeses, the oysters and really all the food was out of this world. Visiting the farm at the end was extremely interesting. Casey was a perfect tour guide. She made the educational parts fun and really made the whole day great. I would highly recommend this tour. Read more Written November 26, 2022
• 91susanv 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Don't miss this! A wonderful introduction to the food and food systems of West Marin. The tour included a touch of history and science and whole lot of good food and drink. Casey was knowledgeable and a pleasure to be around. I gave this as a birthday gift and my husband said that it was "the best gift EVER!" Read more Written November 14, 2022
• nanseib 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Pt. Reyes Food and Farm Tour Everything was wonderful. Casey did a great job and was so fun! I didn't realize we would be eating so much food, but we all managed. So many ways to eat oysters! Read more Written October 16, 2022
• 472maryf 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Our best day! Casey was the perfect guide on this experience…so deeply knowledgeable AND fun! We were sad that the Pt. Reyes Cowgirl Creamery location had just closed, but a quick substitution had been made for us, so we didn’t feel that our experience was lacking. The oysters! The chowder! The mead! Oh, and the awesome discussions about local food ways and history, how oysters grow and thrive, organic farming (thanks Molly!) and SO much more. This was our best day in the Napa/Sonoma/North Marin area by FAR. Worth every penny, and then some. Read more Written September 12, 2022
• phylliss596 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Flavors of Pt. Reyes The whole tour was fantastic we were on the Flavors of Pt. Reyes tour. Our guide Casey was the best and very knowledgeable. Great food and drink. The tour started at 10am and ended at 3:30pm. Book the tour you won't be sorry. Read more Written August 13, 2022
• DanielSan1980 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles An oyster-filled day We did the Tomales Bay Oyster Lover's Tour. Our guide was very friendly and shared some interesting information with us throughout the day. I was especially interested to learn how the local geology impacted the history of food production in the area. The tour started with a cheese board in a cool cabin at the end of a pier on the water, and was followed by trips to three popular restaurants along that part of the bay where our guide ordered us oysters. We were a bit disappointed that the person at one of the restaurants who apparently sometimes gives more of a “behind the scenes” experience wasn’t there that day, so this was more about trying the oysters than experiencing the process they go through before they hit the table. Our favorite were the Salazar oysters! When we let the owner know we were disappointed to not get more of a behind the scenes experience, we were impressed that she took our concerns seriously and was proactive in responding, making sure we walked away satisfied with our experience. Read more Written August 5, 2022
• M5192JTnatep 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Food and Farm Tour Alex was so knowledgeable and the food and drink was incredibly delicious. I would highly recommend this tour if you are visiting Point Reyes. Read more Written June 26, 2022
• karenprus 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Incredible day in West Marin I highly recommend Food and Farm Tours for either a personal adventure with friends or professional outing with colleagues. Alex is extremely professional, responsive, and organized. She listened to our interests and needs and created a custom itinerary for our team. Every detail of the tour was well coordinated from the initial contact to the final payment – seamless! It is evident Alex is an advocate for sustainable agriculture and has incredible relationships with the local farming community. Overall - it was a unique, educational, and delicious experience for our whole team. Read more Written May 23, 2022
• Eddie R 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A great way to spend a day What a super cool and yummy experience. In addition to tasting some delectable cheese and local fare, Casey gave us some great background on the importance of dairy farming and food development in this beautiful area dating back to the Gold Rush. I’ve visited Point Reyes many times before but now have a whole new appreciation for the craftsmanship and sustainability efforts of the food and wine makers here. And Casey kept us fed, hydrated and never bored throughout. Read more Written April 26, 2022
• cali4niapenguin 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Gem of a tour The Flavors of Pt Reyes tour was such a delight. Our charismatic and friendly guide, Casey, shared an abundance of history and food with our group over the course of our tour. Everyone commented about how they learned and tried new things, even as Bay Area residents. My appreciation for West Marin has grown immensely. This tour is for anyone who wants to try a little of a lot of things and see how it all fits together in the larger context of the Bay Area, past, present, and future...and of course, be as stuffed to the gills as your heart desires. Read more Written April 25, 2022
• M186YSjanetr 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles An absolute delightful day! We were all very glad we took the trip. My three travel buddies and I had a fantastic time on the "Flavors of Point Reyes" tour. We ate breakfast before we met up at the Cow Girl Creamery-BIG mistake! You will have plenty to eat throughout the tour, and the tasting begins right away. Alexandra was a wealth of knowledge about all of our stops, and had lots of inside tips for further exploration. Read more Written April 23, 2022
• cthomas5044 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A tour not to be missed! ‘Flavors of Point Reyes Tour’ exceeded ALL expectations! Our tour guide Alexandra was incredibly knowledgeable, furthering our appreciation for West Marin and all of the makers, farmers, creators in the area. The level of history and local resources shared left us learning so much. We could not have asked for a better day - perfectly sunny and amazing food. What a hidden gem Point Reyes and West Marin really are! Do not miss!! Can’t wait to return! Read more Written April 3, 2022

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Best of Marin County Food Tour: Hog Island Oyster Farm, Cowgirl Creamery, Brickmaiden Breads provided by Food & Farm Tours

Alexandra Fox

Alex is a 3rd generation San Franciscan and Marin County native passionate about connecting people to the land and their food source. After working for a decade in the organic food industry, including stints at Straus Family Creamery and CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), Alex has fostered intimate connections with top purveyors making renowned artisanal products here in Marin and Sonoma counties, from cheese and oysters to wine and spirits. These relationships, as well as her extensive knowledge of sustainable, organic, and regenerative agricultural practices (she holds an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise from Dominican University, and BA in Environmental Studies/ Sustainable Agriculture from UC Santa Cruz), make every Food & Farm Tours experience unique and educational. Alex is a true foodie and agricultural enthusiast, always hungry to check out the newest spots in town. She believes wholeheartedly that restoring people’s connection to food can change the world.

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California Politics | Plans for virtual buoys to replace some markers…

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California politics | google to purge ‘private’ incognito mode user records, but will keep snooping, california politics, california politics | plans for virtual buoys to replace some markers outside california harbors raised concerns.

Sea lions basking in the sun on red-and-white buoys are often the first sight of wildlife as boaters set out to the open ocean from harbors dotting California’s coastline.

The buoys, however, are not just a tourist attraction for glimpsing the big marine mammals, but have also been a navigational tool and iconic landmarks for vessels entering and exiting the waterway.

Now, the U.S. Coast Guard is looking at removing some of the buoys, replacing them with “virtual” navigational aids used with GPS, a system that has some boaters concerned about the proposed change. And in Newport Beach and Santa Cruz, plans appear scrapped after community outcry in recent weeks.

“I feel like a lot of people have strong opinions, overwhelmingly to keep the buoys,” said Ryan Lawler, owner of Newport Coastal Adventure, who uses the one outside of the Newport Harbor for his ocean tours, but also as a longtime fisherman for navigation. “If something is there your whole life you get used to it, and the idea of it going away – that sucks.”

The Coast Guard proposal would replace the buoys with a virtual dot on an online chart. The Coast Guard regularly “assesses waterway risk and ways to leverage emerging technology to efficiently meet navigational safety needs,” officials said in a release about the proposal.

In Newport Beach, social media posts about the proposed changes quickly spread and the Coast Guard appears to have altered course and took the buoy off of the removal list, which has been published the last several weeks in a weekly notice that goes out to mariners. A letter from the Coast Guard that Lawler shared with the Register confirmed that due to public feedback, “the buoy will remain in place.”

Tour boats pass a buoy and lounging sea lions outside Newport Harbor in Newport Beach, CA in April, 2022. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Boats look at the sea lions on a buoy outside Newport Harbor in Newport Beach, CA on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sea lions lay on a buoy outside Newport Harbor in Newport Beach, CA in April, 2022. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A tour boat passes a buoy and lounging sea lions outside Newport Harbor in Newport Beach, CA in April, 2022. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

In Santa Cruz groups formed to fight the plans to remove their “Mile Buoy” and several news articles have been written about the opposition to the plan.

“It serves thousands of fishermen, sailing students, recreational sail and power boaters, kayakers and paddleboarders,” r eads a letter to the editor in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. “Mile Buoy serves as a reference point for water rescues being directed from land. Even if you are not a boater, the buoy may serve you. This visual marker with its gentle fog horn and blinking light welcomes vessels approaching Santa Cruz from offshore.”

“This decision underscores our commitment to prioritizing safety while ensuring that the voices of the community are heard and considered,” said Capt. Steven Ramassini, chief of Coast Guard Office of Navigation Systems, in the release. “The invaluable feedback provided by the community has greatly contributed to our comprehensive understanding of the impacts associated with our proposed action.”

After an eight-week public comment period, Coast Guard officials said the opinions of users of the navigation system and community will be reviewed along with other analysis data for a decision on how best to proceed with the remaining proposed project.

In Newport Beach, indications that the buoy will remain in place were welcome news for Lawler and other boaters.

“From the time I heard that it was on the chopping block to the time I heard they had reversed the project, it was like a full priority for me,” Lawler said. “We couldn’t let this happen … we would have lost our buoys forever. For us, not only is it an important safety tool, but a major landmark. A defining landmark for Newport Harbor.”

On foggy days, the sound of the buoy helps guide boats to the entrance and some smaller boats, like kayaks or small aluminum fishing boats, may not have the advanced technology to find “virtual” buoys, he said.

Lawler also argued trying to find a buoy marker on a screen takes the boat driver’s eyes off the water.

Naturalist Daryth Morrissey, president of the American Cetacean Society, Orange County chapter, said her No. 1 worry was for the sea lions if the Newport Harbor buoy were to disappear.

“There’s so very few places for them to haul out,” she said.  “That is one of their go-to spots. For whale watching or marine mammal cruises, it’s almost a given there will be sea lions on the buoy.”

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