In addition to homebuyers, the North Bay attracts businesses large and small. Many well-known companies – Williams-Sonoma, LucasFilm, and Amy’s Kitchen, not to mention so many of the wineries – have either gotten their start here or have headquarters in the area.

We all know the wineries open their doors to visitors, but there are also a good number of other local companies that allow us to experience first-hand how their product is made. These “factory” tours are widely popular amongst locals and tourists alike. 

For those who remember collecting stickers as a kid, or who have kids of their own with the passion, a visit to Mrs. Grossman’s sticker factory in Petaluma will take you back to those days of red hearts and gold stars. Highlights of the tour, to which many local school children are privy, include watching the laser web (the technology behind the company’s exclusive laser-cut stickers) and creating a postcard in the Sticker Art Room. Another tour that’s popular with the kids is the Jelly Belly tour. You have to travel a little farther – out to Fairfield – but this tour is unique and worth the trip. Here you’ll go behind the scenes and witness why it takes more than a week to make a single bean. You can also visit the candy store and swing by the Sample Bar where you can try all the different flavors and build your own unique recipes.

For the adults, there are tours that reveal the secrets of some of the delicious food and drinks made in this region. If you’re a fan of olive oil, a trip to McEvoy ranch is a must. While in Petaluma, you can make a day of it by also visiting the Marin French Cheese Company and Lagunitas Brewing Company. For that last stop, be sure to schedule time after your tour at the brewery to relax in the Beer Sanctuary with some live music.

More info:

Mrs. Grossmans Sticker Factory: www.mrsgrossmans.com
Tours are Monday-Thursday by reservation only.

Jelly Belly Factory: www.jellybelly.com
Guided factory tours operate daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Lagunitas Brewing Company: www.lagunitas.com
Tours are every weekday at 3:00pm.

Marin French Cheese Company: www.marinfrenchcheese.com
Tours are available seven days a week at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, Noon and 3:00 pm. Most cheese making activity occurs Monday through Thursday between 10:00 am and Noon.

McEvoy Ranch: www.mcevoyranch.com
Upcoming special tours: Garden Walk & Lunch – July 8, August 19, September 16; Orchard Walk & Mill Tour – August 7, September 11, October 2

Read what fellow bloggers Martha O’Hayer and Judy LeMarr have had to say about some of their favorite tours.

Do you have a favorite tour to add to the list? Let us know in the comments.

Follow along as the full list unfolds – 100 Reasons Why We Love Where We Live

Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors