Sample all the cheese your heart desires at this dairy farm in Northern California. Oakdale Cheese & Specialties is a family-run dairy farm and store that offers tours and tastings. You can taste their award-winning goudas while learning about the cheese-making process.
The working farm and shop is located 30 minutes outside of Modesto in the small town of Oakdale.
Oakdale is known as the "cowboy capital of the world" and has a charming downtown. The Oakdale Cheese & Specialties farm is located right outside of the downtown.
During your visit to this dairy farm and store, you can take a tour to learn about the cheese making process, plus sample some of their award-winning cheeses. Oakdale Cheese & Specialties makes goudas, flavored cheese, and a variety of specialty cheeses.
Self-guided tours are available at any time. Guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more. Reservations are required for guided tours.
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They are most famous for their award-winning gouda cheeses. Oakdale Cheese & Specialties won the United States Champion Cheese Contest for their cumin gouda in 2011, 2015, and 2019.
Their cumin gouda, aged gouda, and mild gouda won many awards from 2011 to 2019 at the American Cheese Society Judging & Competition, where they competed with more than 1,800 other cheeses from across the U.S., Canada, Central, and South America.
On your cheese tour, you may be able to meet the cheesemaker who can answer all of your cheese-related questions. Cheesemaking takes place on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
The cheese-making style and recipes originated in Holland and were brought to California by the founders in 1979. Generations of cheese-making have allowed them to perfect and share this style of cheese with Californians.
Load up on your favorite cheeses from the tour at the on-site market. You can also find Oakdale’s cheese at several Northern California farmers’ markets in Davis, Pleasanton, San Rafael, Mountain View, Modesto, and Sonora.
They also have their cheese in nine Save Marts in cities near the farm, as well as local markets.
This is more than just a place to tour and shop. The beautiful grounds are a great place to enjoy lunch. Picnic tables line the pond on the tree-covered property.
Stop in the shop to buy cheese and also a wide selection of other items– mustards, dips, candies, popcorn, plus beer and wine. The on-site bakery sells fresh bread, baked treats, and grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch. Oakdale Cheese & Specialties is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
We love the idea of visiting a dairy farm in Northern California — it has all the beauty of a winery property but is more family-friendly. Plus– cheese! So much good cheese to choose from. If you’re unable to make it to Oakdale anytime soon but you’re eager to try their cheese, you can order on their website.
