Marin French Cheese has been making cheese since 1865, and their Hicks Valley Ranch location in Petaluma gives you a genuine taste of how that looks. Walking the grounds with your dog, you’ll see the actual production happening—there’s something satisfying about watching cheesemakers work while you’re standing on the same land where it all happens.

The tasting room lets you and your dog stick around for the afternoon. You can sample their cheeses, many of which have picked up major awards over the years, and they offer wine pairings if that’s your thing. The setting is legitimately pretty—rolling hills in Sonoma County, with enough space that you’re not crammed in with crowds. Your dog can move around a bit rather than being stuck under a table the whole time.

What makes this work well is that it doesn’t feel staged or overly formal. You’re genuinely on a working ranch, not at some fancy tasting room that barely tolerates dogs. The atmosphere is relaxed, which means your dog will probably feel more comfortable too. The staff seems accustomed to having dogs around, so you won’t spend the visit worrying about whether your presence is an inconvenience.

The cheeses themselves are worth the trip—these are artisanal wheels made on-site, not products shipped in from elsewhere. If you’re coming from San Francisco or other parts of the Bay Area, it’s a straightforward drive, and the location is far enough from the tourist crush of downtown Petaluma to feel like an actual escape. Bring water for your dog and plan to spend a couple of hours if you want to really taste through their lineup and enjoy the property. Summer afternoons can get warm, so earlier in the day or cooler months work better for a comfortable visit.