342681 Tue Nov 14 15:32:47 -0800 2006 7 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 2020346 I'd like to plan a weekend drive devoted to cheese. Can the good folks on this board point me to the (Bay Area) artisanal creameries or other cheesy destinations that welcome visitors? What I have in mind is sightseeing, visiting, stopping for lunch/picnic somewhere, generally indulging in yummy cheese and other goodies. Thanks for your help Tue Nov 14 15:32:47 -0800 2006 44724 Sisiutl 1 2020454 Here's a good itinerary: http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?archiveDate=08-13-04&storyID=19432 (I wouldn't skip the Matos Cheese Factory) Tue Nov 14 16:13:16 -0800 2006 2020346 34428 scarmoza 2 2022905 A few days ago I had the St. George cheese from Matos Cheese Factory at a friend's house and it was really good. Next time up that way I'm going there. Wed Nov 15 05:54:50 -0800 2006 2020454 10724 Mick Ruthven 1 2022886 Here's a link to the report and itinerary for the 2003 chow tour of a Saturday devoted to cheese for some ideas. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/25746 Wed Nov 15 05:41:54 -0800 2006 2020346 10039 Melanie Wong 1 2023827 I'm not anything close to a cheese freak, but I recommend stopping in downtown Sonoma (Sonoma Plaza) if it's not too far out of the way. There are two cheese companies within a few blocks of each other that I think are worth checking out: (1) Vella Cheese Company and (2) Sonoma Cheese Factory. Vella Cheese Company, in particular, is a good place to taste, ask questions, and buy their cheese at below retail prices. Their factory and tiny retail store is a few blocks away from the Plaza. I like the "smallness" of their retail store and, of course, their prices. They sliced samples for me like a "real" cheese store should. If you want to try their cheese before driving all the way out there, I'm pretty sure your local Whole Foods sells their more popular cheeses (at a higher price). http://www.vellacheese.com/pages/index.html IMO, Sonoma Cheese Factory isn't so great, but I think it's worth dropping in (and tasting a few samples) if you're already in the area. Located right in the Plaza, I think it's like a big crowded tourist gift shop. Their samples were pre-cut cubes on plates with toothpicks. It's worth going once, though. http://www.sonomajack.com/ The huge Sebastiani winery is also within a few blocks of the Plaza and I recommend their tasting room if you have any interest in wine (and you're not a wine snob). They're pretty good at a variety of wines (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) at several price levels (about $13 to $80+). When I was there last Christmas Eve (after buying a bunch of cheese at Vella), they were offering free tastes of their "Sonoma County" Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (both very good for $13). I forgot how much the tasting fee was for the rest of their wines, but I think it was average for big Sonoma/Napa wineries. http://www.sebastiani.com/visit_us/visit_us_home.asp Marin French Cheese company (Petaluma between Highway 1 and 101) is probably not "artisinal" enough for most cheese connoisseurs, but it's very visitor-friendly and might be a convenient place to have a picnic. Lots of samples, kid-friendly, and a picnic area around a duck pond. Good photo of their picnic area on their home page: http://www.marinfrenchcheese.com/ Wed Nov 15 17:41:01 -0800 2006 2020346 40520 HungryMojo 1 2023978 If you're anywhere near the SF Ferry Building, the cheese shop there is great (as is the whole place). Wed Nov 15 18:23:49 -0800 2006 2020346 48107 exbarkeep 1 2026489 if you're looking for cheese factories, I'd add cowgirl creamery in Pt reyes and marin french (rouge et noir) on the petaluma-novato road to the ones listed above if you're looking for cheese shops, the bay area has a myriad of fine stores. ask and i'll post a rec or two, depending upon where you are and where you want to go Thu Nov 16 14:55:40 -0800 2006 2020346 25435 jeffyd 1 2026725 Cheese School http://www.cheeseschoolsf.com/about/index.html I just thought this was interesting Thu Nov 16 16:09:20 -0800 2006 2020346 52212 Lori SF