jelly belly factory tours california

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The wonderful world of Jelly Belly

By michele broitman.

From the moment we stepped inside, the Jelly Belly Factory was beyond my imagination. Larger-than-life jelly beans and a hot-air balloon dangled from the high ceiling, their bright colors energizing the large space. A Jelly Belly-decorated motorcycle resided in the center of the room, and framed Jelly Belly art—jelly bean mosaics of Hollywood legends and celebrated leaders, like Ronald Reagan—hung on the walls. Reagan was a big fan of Jelly Belly jelly beans and even wrote to the company in 1973 as the Governor of California, “We can hardly start a meeting or make a decision without passing the jar of jelly beans.” During his presidency, his sweet tooth became famous, as he had a special Jelly Belly bean holder installed on Marine One and 3.5 tons shipped to his inauguration celebration, all of which helped put the company on the map.

It was my daughter Nika’s fifth birthday. After attending one too many birthday parties at loud and stress-inducing pizza joints, my husband, Ed, and I wanted to try something different this year. We hoped this Jelly Belly Factory tour would be a wonderland of sweet exploration and make for a memorable birthday for our little girl.

On the drive to the factory in Fairfield, California—a city between Sacramento and San Francisco—Nika’s 8-year-old brother, Kimo, had excitedly listed off his favorite jelly bean flavors: Crushed Pineapple, Toasted Marshmallow and Pumpkin Pie. Nika confessed her wish to try one of every flavor. Ed and I laughed at her enthusiasm, feeling hopeful this tour would be our birthday-girl’s dream come true.

How It’s Made

After examining the whimsical décor, we decided to try the Chocolate and Wine Experience, which gave us front-of-line access to the factory tour after the tasting. Eating chocolate instead of waiting in line with our birthday girl—yes, please.

The scent of cocoa was strong as we entered the tasting area on the second floor. We weren’t sure what to expect, as we came for sugary sweets, not velvety chocolate and wine. We all sampled the chocolates and fudge. They were a heavenly fusion of sweet and salty. Ed and I also took a few sips of local  Suisun Valley wine , the fruity pairing with the bittersweet chocolate tingling our taste buds.

My kids looked up at me with huge, chocolaty smiles, and I grinned back.

So far, I had every indication this tour was going to be a triumph, as we had already begun to capture the factory’s sweet magic with our chocolate encrusted smiles.

Before we knew it, we finished our tasting and it was time for the self-guided factory tour. We were ushered onto elevated platforms over the factory floor and began our sweet journey in the candy kitchen, which included interactive games and HD/4K videos with an up-close look at the candy making action.

We watched confectioners mix water, corn syrup, sugar and flavoring (that day was peach, which we could smell when we walked in) to make a hot liquid that would eventually become hundreds of jelly beans. The liquid was poured into trays with bean forms, and then we followed big cranes carrying those 25-pound trays of beans to where they rest for a few days.

A Jelly Belly employee offered us a few solidified samples, which Nika eagerly snatched up. “Sweet, but doesn’t taste like jelly beans,” she declared.

The employee replied, “That’s because the beans haven’t gotten their sugar coating yet.”

We entered the area where the beans get their sweet coating, which looked like a construction zone with large rotating drums spinning freshly made beans. Kimo intently watched as a confectioner shoveled sugar onto the spinning beans. “It’s like they’re making sugar cement,” he laughed.

Nika was clearly enthralled with the process, her eyes glued to the machines. “Are they jelly beans yet?” She asked as we continued the tour into the next room.

The sorting room is where the “Belly Flops” are separated from the perfect Jelly Belly beans. A rainbow of crates spread before us, Nika jumped and exclaimed, “They’ve got the candy coating now. I want to try everything!”

Another Jelly Belly employee, standing near one of the interactive stations, heard Nita’s exclamation and laughed.

“That’s right,” the employee said. She handed Nika another jelly bean sample and took one for herself. “Let’s eat it at the same time,” she told Nika. “One, two, three!”

They both popped the jelly bean into their mouths and intently chewed, analyzing the flavors with their tongues. Nika giggled and said, “It’s a real jelly bean now.”

Ed and I sampled the margarita and blackberry flavors that had been resting for the past several days. The kids eagerly tasted every flavor available, a truly birthday-worthy splurge, and a birthday wish come true for Nika.

“I wonder if oompa loompas work here after dark,” Ed teased as the kids explored the jelly bean smorgasbord.

Kimo rolled his eyes—a little too old for his dad’s silly antics—but Nika’s eyes widened. “I want to be their Willy Wonka!” she exclaimed.

Ed laughed, “Or Wilma Wonka in your case.”

Our self-guided tour came to an end, but we could sample more beans just beyond the exit door in the candy shop. The kids raced to the massive shop—basically a jelly bean utopia. Brightly colored candy met us at every turn. The kids gleefully sampled all their favorites and found some new ones—Buttered Popcorn and Sunkist® Lime. I glanced at Ed, and giggled when I saw he was just as enthralled as they were.

Sweet Notes

After our practically gluttonous jelly bean tastings, the kids filled bags with their favorite flavors. We also grabbed some bean-shaped burgers at the Jelly Belly Café (hoping to curb the sugar rush) and a box of chocolate at the fudge counter. On our way to the car, with arms full of sweet treats, Kimo asked “Can we come back for my birthday, Mom?”

“If that’s what you want. I’m up for plenty more tastings,” I said, smiling.

Nika skipped the rest of the way to our car, singing a song she made up about jelly beans and birthday cake, and I distinctly heard the lyric “best birthday ever” enthusiastically chanted from her lips. Her fifth birthday had been a total success, and so much more enjoyable than birthdays we’d had in the past, because it was just the four of us having fun together. I could foresee this becoming a new family tradition.

It doesn’t stop at Jelly Belly’s sweet confections. Discover Fairfield’s other tempting tours and tastings.

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Jelly Belly Factory Tour Expands with a New Museum

Grand opening will take place july 1.

FAIRFIELD, CALIF., June 20, 2022 – The Jelly Belly Factory Tour just got a little sweeter with the addition of the Jelly Belly Museum.

The Jelly Belly Museum’s grand opening celebration will take place Friday, July 1 at the Jelly Belly Visitor Center in Fairfield, California. To celebrate the grand opening on July 1, the factory tour and museum experience will be free to all guests from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The first 300 guests will also receive a free 2 pound bag of Jelly Belly Belly Flops® jelly beans.

The museum experience begins with a short ride in a Jelly Belly Express passenger train (weather permitting) from the Jelly Belly Visitor Center to the museum entrance. With decorative jelly beans hanging from the ceiling, this museum presents the evolution of candy-making equipment and the growth of the family-owned Jelly Belly Candy Company through a whimsical and interactive experience. Guests will get to view over a century’s worth of candy-making equipment that is brought to life through videos accessed via QR code and narrated by Herm Rowland, Chairman of the Board at Jelly Belly Candy Company.

“The Jelly Belly Factory Tour allows guests to see how candy is made today, but we felt it was important to show the history that led to our current factory processes through a museum, too,” said John Jamison, VP of Retail Operations at Jelly Belly Candy Company. “The Jelly Belly Museum is a truly unique experience and we were so grateful to have the opportunity to share Herm’s unrivaled knowledge of candy-making with everyone.”

Several vehicles and installations from Mr. Rowland’s private collection are on display in the museum and represent key moments in the company’s history. Guests will see a 1934 Ford V8 Touring Sedan, a 1935 Chris-Craft boat and a 1982 Maserati Quattroporte.

The Jelly Belly Museum concludes with an area of photo opportunities. Guests will be able to take a photo in front of dancing jelly beans, in a candy-themed spinning drum, and on the Jelly Belly Bean Machine, a motorcycle with a sidecar in the shape of a jelly bean. When guests are done walking the museum, they will have the opportunity to ride aboard the Jelly Belly passenger train back to the Visitor Center.  

The Jelly Belly Museum and Factory Tour are open daily to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are priced at $7 per adult and $3 per child for the factory tour and museum and parking is free during business hours.

Famous for offering public tours, the Jelly Belly Factory Tour has received many awards for excellence over the years. Located halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento, Jelly Belly has welcomed more than eight million visitors since opening its factory doors to the public for tours in the mid-1980s. The Jelly Belly Visitor Center is also home to a large Jelly Belly retail store, Chocolate and Fudge Shoppe, Jelly Belly Café, and the Chocolate & Wine Experience.

With candy-making roots dating back to 1869, Jelly Belly Candy Company began making Jelly Belly® jelly beans in 1976. Today, Jelly Belly products are sold all over the world and the company remains family-owned and operated by the fourth, fifth and sixth generations of the candy-making family. For more information about Jelly Belly and its confections, visit www.jellybelly.com or consumers can call (800) 522-3267 and retailers can call (800) 323-9380. Connect with the company online on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest , YouTube and LinkedIn .

• Jelly Belly Museum - Exterior Shot
• Jelly Belly Museum - Interior
• Jelly Belly Museum - Interior History
• Jelly Belly Museum - Bean Machine
• Jelly Belly Museum - passenger train

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Jelly Belly Factory Tour Fairfield a Family-Friendly Day Trip

November 22, 2023 by DayTrippen Leave a Comment

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Visiting the Jelly Belly Candy Factory for a tour is an enjoyable experience for both children and adults. The self-guided factory tours last approximately 30 minutes and ends with a free sample bag of candy. During this tour, you will witness the manufacturing process of this globally renowned candy.

Visitors can take a fascinating tour of the jelly bean candy production process on an elevated walkway. The tour offers a view of the various methods used to create the delicious jelly belly beans. Walking along the elevated path, you can observe the production floor below and learn about the stages of making the beans. Displays provide detailed information about the various techniques and methods used to produce the mouth-watering jelly beans.

The candy plant utilizes cutting-edge equipment to aid production. Touring the facility allows you to receive a complimentary sample of their popular candy. Two things are certain when visiting Jelly Belly: you will have a blast and most likely purchase some of their delectable candy to take home.

If you’re still hungry after snacking on the beans, there’s a cafe where you can order pizza and hamburgers shaped like Jelly Beans. The Jelly Belly factory is a fantastic family destination that everyone will enjoy.

Jelly Belly beans debuted on candy store shelves in the summer of 1976 and have since become a popular candy sold nationally and internationally. During the Inaugural festivities for President Reagan, three-and-a-half tons of Jelly Belly beans were shipped to the White House. Interestingly, the “Jelly Belly” name can be found on all Original Gourmet Jelly Beans, including the white ones.

Jelly Belly Beans contain four calories each, or about 100 calories per serving of 25 beans. One bean has approximately 1 gram of carbohydrates and no fat. There are 25 Jelly Belly beans in one ounce and 400 Jelly Belly beans in one pound.

At the Jelly Belly factory, you can find a variety of jelly beans, including misshapen, clustered, or off-color ones. There are officially fifty flavors of Jelly Beans, each with a unique taste. During your visit to the factory, you will see some interesting sights, such as portraits of US presidents made entirely from Jelly Beans and a counter with some bizarre flavors of jelly beans.

Jelly Belly Factory Tour

Admission to the Jelly Belly Visitor Center is complimentary, while tour prices are $7.00 for adults and $3.00 for children, with ages two and under being free. Active military personnel receive a 20% discount on their ticket price by showing their military ID. The tours depart approximately every 15 minutes, and the self-guided factory tours are available from 9:15 am to 4 pm daily.

Visitors to the Jelly Belly Factory Tour may experience a wait before their tour begins. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the candy store or grab a snack before or after the candy factory tour. The factory tours are fully accessible to both wheelchairs and strollers, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the experience.

Jelly Belly Corporate Headquarters and Visitor Center : Fairfield, California. One Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield, CA 94533. The Jelly Belly Visitor Center is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter Sunday.

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Sweet Beans: All About the Jelly Belly Factory Tour

Jelly beans are one of my favorite treats to take on road trips- they store well, don’t melt, and you can hand out just a few at a time. What better way to start a road trip than with a visit to the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield, CA?

The Jelly Belly factory tour takes you above the floor of the factory where you can watch actual Jelly Belly jelly beans being made and packaged. Videos along the way teach you about the process, as well as fun facts about Jelly Belly jelly beans.

This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase.   As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All our recommendations are our own, and are in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.

At the bottom of this post,  download a free game of Would You Rather: World Edition  to play on your next road trip!

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Table of Contents

Where is the Jelly Belly Factory?

We visited the Jelly Belly Factory in California when our kids were ages 4, and 6. The jelly bean factory is at 1 Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield, CA, about halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento. This was the first stop on our American Northwest road trip .

What Kind of Candy Does the Jelly Belly Factory Make?

The Jelly Belly factory makes jelly beans, licorice, candy corn, gummy worms, chocolates, and other sweet treats. They also have a full line of Harry Potter beans and chocolate treats. However, most of what we saw on the tour was jelly beans!

Did you know that Very Cherry is the most popular flavor of Jelly Belly jelly bean?

We love the Grab & Go Bags , at 3.5 oz each you can try a couple of different combinations! S(6) picked out the Unicorn Mix for her birthday- it’s got eight flavors of sparkling jewel jelly beans!

What Do You Get to See at the Jelly Belly Factory?

The Jelly Belly Tour is self-guided, you can go through it at your own pace. It starts with an introductory video that teaches you about the family behind the brand, and a bit about how jelly beans are made. From there, you’ll walk along a path above the factory floor, so you can look down at the machines and workers below. There are videos every so often that explain the process.

A Bit About Jelly Belly

Jelly Belly is a family-owned company that’s been making candy for six generations. They started making jelly beans in 1965 and acquired the name Jelly Belly in 1980. With over 100 flavors, they now sell jelly beans in over 80 countries.

They were a small company that got a big break when then-governor Ronald Reagan became a public fan of the brand. His favorite flavor was licorice. In 1983 Regan as President, even sent some Jelly Belly beans into space!

How are Jelly Beans Made?

The process of making a jelly bean is fascinating! I used to work in the specialty food industry, so it was really fun for me to see how they had the factory set up and all the different machines they use to make it more efficient.

Each jelly bean takes 7-14 days to make! Here’s a bit about the process, it’s by no means complete but gives you an idea of how complex the process is to make this treat.

The Insides of the Jelly Bean

The insides of the jelly bean are flavored, as well as the shell. First, a candy slurry of sugar, water, and corn syrup is made in a big kettle. Each kettle holds enough slurry to make 200,000 jelly bean centers. The slurry is flavored, cooked, poured into jelly bean molds, and then frozen.

Adding the Shell

The jelly bean centers then go into rotating drums that look a bit like a small cement mixer. Each one holds 250 pounds of jelly bean centers. Flavoring and sugar are spooned in as the candies rotate until the right shell is formed. Apparently, if it’s done wrong the whole batch can stick together!

Finishing the Jelly Bean

After the center is finished, the jelly beans are sorted, and any misshapen beans are removed (you can buy some of these “Belly Flops” in the gift shop!) The Jelly Belly logo is stamped on each bean, then they are ready to package!

Is the Jelly Belly Factory Kid-Friendly?

Our kids loved the experience overall. However, they didn’t have the patience to stop and listen to all the videos. There are two games along the route, though we didn’t spend too much time on them.

One is a goalie game- stand on the yellow pad and try to swat the flying digital jelly beans out of the goal. Our kids weren’t tall enough to signal to the computer to start, we had to jump in to get it going, then let them play! The second game is a head-to-head competition sorting jelly beans on a screen.

The kids loved seeing the machines working- moving trays and boxes back and forth. They have a special spider robot arm that sees the bags of jelly beans on the conveyor belt, picks them up, turns them in the right direction, then puts them in boxes for shipping. The kids also loved browsing the gift shop and picking out a few special jelly beans to take with us!

What Else Can I Do at the Jelly Belly Factory?

Once you’ve finished the tour and taken your time peering through the glass at the workers below, there are a few other things to do at the Jelly Belly Factory.

The Jelly Belly Chocolate and Wine Experience

On the second floor, as you exit the tour, you’ll have the option to add on the Jelly Belly Chocolate and Wine Experience. This is for adults only, though minors can tag along. There are six pairings, each includes wines from Suisun Valley Wineries paired with Jelly Belly Chocolates.

The Jelly Bean Art Gallery

As you enter the factory you’ll see several examples of jelly bean art. There are more hung throughout the factory. After the tour, there’s a small art gallery with additional works. All of these are images (mostly portraits) made in a mosaic style using jelly beans.

The Jelly Belly Gift Shop

On the first floor, where you first buy your tour tickets, is the Jelly Belly Gift Shop. You can buy jelly beans and a small selection of other merchandise with the company logo.

There is also a Chocolate Shoppe on one side of the gift shop, that did not appear to be open when we visited.

Wait, No Sample Bar?

No, no sample bar. In the past, the Jelly Belly Gift Shop included a sample bar, where you could request up to three jelly belly flavors at a time. You were then welcome to get back in line for another three.

Sadly, this is no longer available and seems to have been permanently removed. We were a bit bummed about this- sometimes you want to try a Kiwi-flavored jelly bean without committing to a full bag! Mint Chocolate Chip, anyone?

The Jelly Belly Cafe

The Jelly Belly Cafe offers a selection of hamburgers, sandwiches, and salads. They have indoor and outdoor seating available. We didn’t stop to try it.

How Many Jelly Belly Factories Are There?

There are currently three Jelly Belly Factories- Fairfield, CA; North Chicago, IL, and Rayong, Thailand. The factory in California makes most of the jelly beans for the US and is the only one currently offering tours.

What Does it Cost to Visit the Jelly Belly Factory?

In 2023, there is a charge of $7 per adult and $3 per child to take the Jelly Belly Tour. They give you a sealed sample of jelly beans and a paper hat to wear for the duration of the tour.

When is the Jelly Belly Factory Open for Tours?

The Jelly Belly Factory is open for tours from 9:15- 4 pm daily. If you can, try to visit during the week when candy-making is sure to be going on. If you visit during the weekends, you will probably not get to see the factory in full operation.

They are closed for New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

How Long is the Jelly Belly Factory Tour?

We spent about an hour and a half at the Jelly Belly Factory, though you could spend longer if you watch each video from beginning to end.

There You Have It: The Jelly Belly Factory Tour

We loved starting our road trip at the Jelly Belly Factory Tour. We could spend as little or as much time as liked. I would have loved a more in-depth tour of what was happening below us, but the kids didn’t have the patience for more. Overall we all learned a lot and had an excuse to eat some delicious jelly beans, and stock up on irregular Belly Flops for the rest of our road trip!

Exploring more of California? Check out our guide to Yosemite , and the Trees of Mystery where you can take a canopy walk through the redwoods.

Road Tripping? Make sure your car is stocked with all the road trip essentials , and that you’ve packed road trip snacks and road trip activities .

Considering Christmas in California? Don’t miss our one-day itinerary for holiday magic in San Francisco .

Cynthia Matthews von Berg is the founder of Sharing the Wander. She is a passionate traveler, mom, and travel coach specializing in long-term travel and family travel. She and her family embarked on a Family Gap Year in 2021, and haven't looked back.

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Jelly Belly Factory Tour: Learn How Jelly Beans are Made in Fairfield

For as long as I can remember, I have been a fan of Jelly Beans. When I was growing up, my mom would even buy me the jar of beans from Costco with a few pounds of Jelly Beans in it, and I would devour the whole thing in a matter of days. So when I heard that the Jelly Belly factory was in Northern California, I added it to my list of places to experience for myself. Two years later, on the way to Napa Valley, I finally got to visit this magical spot and take a tour. Here is all the information so you can go yourself.

• Open daily from 9 AM – 4 PM
• Tours are free
• Location: 1 Jelly Belly Ln, Fairfield, CA 94533, USA
• This information is from my visit in 2016, 2018, and 2019. I love Jelly Beans, so I go often.

Getting There

After exiting the freeway and turning down Jelly Bean Lane (yep they have their own street), you will see the large Jelly Bean Factory right in front of you. There is a lot of parking, but take your time and explore the exterior as there are a few fun signs to see before you are whisked away into the magical world of Jelly Beans.

If you are looking to tour the factory, then I would recommend checking in for a tour first as you may have to wait. Tours depart every 20 minutes throughout the day, and you may have to wait for 20-30 minutes to get on a tour when you go.

The tours are now self-guided and you can take as long as you would like as you wander through the second level overlook of the factory.

Production is only during the weekdays, but they have videos they show if you tour on the weekend so you can visualize what it looks like when people are working below you.

It is pretty epic to look out over the sea of jelly beans below you and the tour is really fun every time I go on it.

You are provided a fun paper jelly bean hat that you must wear while on the tour and why wouldn’t you want to? It’s awesome.

Here are a few things I learned:

Jelly Bean History

The jelly center of a jelly bean is a descendant of Turkish delight candy. The bean was brought to America in 1861. There were eight flavors in 1976, and now there are over 50.

Most Popular Flavors

Most popular three flavors are

• Black licorice

Ronald Reagan

Reagan used them for kicking a cigarette habit, and it was said that he ate them before many meetings. His favorite flavor was licorice, and his likeness was the first to become a Jelly Bean mosaic since his love of the candy helped to further its popularity.

Art Gallery

Now they have likenesses all over, everyone from Elvis and the Pope to Spider-Man and Donald Duck has been made into Jelly Bean art. To make one, the photograph is pencil sketched on wood and then colored in to show where the appropriate color bean goes.

How Jelly Beans Are Made

First, the sugar is cooked and molded. From there, it is given a hard shell and then shined. The coconut bean has actual flakes, and the chocolate has real chocolate. There are a ton of stainless containers that are used to take the center and add the hard shell.

They have over 150 types of candy other than jelly beans—everything from almonds and chocolate to candy corn. You can try a lot of these in the store.

Belly Flops

Either too big, too small, or stuck together, after these beans are separated via machine, the beans are visually inspected to see if any weird shaped one got in. The weird ones are taken out then sold in Belly Flop bags for a reduced price in the store

At the end of the tour, they give you a free small bag of Jelly Beans, so not only is the tour free, but you get free beans at the end.

Lastly, they have a full store that you can browse where they sell all sorts of Jelly Beans, as well as the other candies made by the company.

You can head over the sample bar where you can pick 2-3 of any of their flavors to try; these include the Harry Potter beans that taste like grass and other strange flavors.

After you have spent time in this magical world, then it is time to head out. The Jelly Bean Factory was just as impressive as I hoped it would be, and I highly recommend you bring the whole family and head over to Fairfield to check it out.

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4 Fantastic Factory Tours You Can Only Take In Northern California

Explore unique factory tours in Northern California to learn about the manufacturing processes of various products.

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Factory tours offer a unique opportunity to learn about the manufacturing process and gain insight into how products are made. Satisfy your intellectual curiosity by taking these factory tours in Northern California.

During these tours, you’ll learn about the inner workings of various industries, such as automotive, food and beverage, electronics, and much more. Tours often include interactive elements, like demonstrations, hands-on activities, and opportunities to ask questions to on-site experts. You’ll also hear anecdotes from employees and learn fun facts about the products.

1. Jelly Belly Factory– Fairfield

See how Jelly Beans are made at the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield.

This self-guided tour will take guests through the production area of the factory, plus many exhibits and displays. Entree also includes the Jelly Belly Express Train Ride. The tour ends at the Jelly Belly Museum Store, where you can purchase all sorts of Jelly Belly items. There is also a Jelly Belly art gallery, cafe, and chocolate store.

Tours are available daily, but it’s best to come during the week if you can since the production floor will be buzzing with Jelly Belly employees making the candies.

If you can only visit on the weekend, an HD/4K video throughout the tour shows the manufacturing process. Before your visit, check the Jelly Belly website to see if they have reduced hours or any tour changes.

2. Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company– Fairfield

Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company is a family-owned business that produces olive oil from olives grown and processed on-site.

Sit-down olive oil tastings require reservations, which is perfect because you can also schedule a tour of the mill at the same time. Group tours are also available.

Farm and mill tours take place most days of the week and begin around 10 a.m. Tours are about 2 hours long. Reservations are required.

On the tour, you’ll learn about the organic olive farm, the history of olive oil, and the production of this award-winning olive oil. Tours are concluded with olive oil tastings.

In addition to their olive oils, they also sell wine under their own label. Enjoy a glass of wine, plus bread and olive oil on their outdoor patio with breathtaking views of their 2,000 olive trees.

3. Sierra Nevada Brewery– Chico

Learn all about craft beer production at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico.

At this Northern California brewery, you’ll learn how Sierra Nevada beer is made, plus enjoy a tasting at the bar. There is also an excellent restaurant on-site.

Tours are offered daily.

The standard brewery tour is an hour long. On this tour , visitors will see the kettles up-close, learn about hops as well as fermentation. The tour concludes at the Brewhouse Bar where guests can try four Sierra Nevada brews. Reservations are recommended.

4. Hilmar Cheese Company– Hilmar

Learn how cheese is made at Hilmar Cheese Company in Hilmar, California. Hilmar is a small town located in California’s Central Valley. It’s about two hours from San Francisco and 90 minutes from Sacramento.

The Merced County cheese creamery offers free self-guided and guided tours with an optional hands-on ice cream making activity. Self-guided tours are available Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guided tour times and ice cream making tours vary by season.

Guests can explore interactive, hands-on exhibits about cows, dairies, and cheese making. They always have free cheese samples available and are one of the only places in CA to get “squeakers,” fresh cheese curds (yes, they squeak when you eat them).

Watch employees package the “big cheese,” which are 640-pound crates of cheese. Hilmar Cheese Company also offers Ice Cream Making Tours. For groups of 10 or more, you’ll need to make reservations .

For enthusiasts and collectors, factory tours can be especially enjoyable. On tours, visitors get behind-the-scenes access to areas that are not normally open to the public. Seeing everything involved to make the items you enjoy can give people a greater appreciation for everyday products.

Which Northern California factory tour would you like to take?

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The Scenic Train Ride In Northern California That Runs Year-Round

Napa Valley Wine Train offers a luxurious journey through Northern California's scenic vineyards with world-class cuisine.

Napa Valley in Northern California boasts a type of beauty that you won't find anywhere else in the country, featuring rolling hills, mountains, and endless vineyards. It's truly no wonder this beautiful destination draws visitors from all over the world. When it comes to experiencing the best of the area, a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train is a perfect adventure. Not only does the train route show off the region's beauty, but the Napa Valley wine train route also takes you through several charming small towns and world-class vineyards. What do you say - are you ready to hop aboard this beauty-packed Wine Train on one of the best scenic train rides in California?

As one of the top wine-growing regions in the world, Napa Valley is a sight to be seen. The Napa Valley Wine Train runs right through the heart of the valley, allowing you to experience its beauty in a most memorable way.

Most people don't know that the rail line was originally built in 1864 to take visitors north to the resort town of Calistoga. Today, the Wine Train is a delightful, 36-mile journey from Downtown Napa to St. Helena and back.

Guests start their Napa Valley adventure by boarding the train at McKinstry Street Station. After leaving the station, the train travels through the old industrial section of Napa before crossing the Rural Urban Limit Line (RUL) and thrusting you into spectacular scenery!

The train chugs along, past famous farm real estate, agricultural lands, and charming towns like Oak Knoll, Yountville, and Rutherford. The entire experience takes about three hours, and you'll love every minute of it.

The Napa Valley Wine Train is a luxurious journey that combines majestic scenery with amazing, world-class cuisine. With four onboard kitchens, the train's team of chefs is always whipping up culinary works of art like yellowfin tuna tartare, pan-seared Pacific halibut, and roasted beef tenderloin.

Don't feel like you have to leave the kids at home, either! The Wine Train always welcomes children aboard, and some ride packages have special rates. There are several railcars ranging from casual to more upscale, so you can really customize the Wine Train experience to your liking.

It's always a good day to one of these scenic California train rides! From the delicious onboard food and drink to the breathtaking scenery passing you by, this is most definitely a train excursion to remember. Visit the Napa Valley Wine Train website to learn more.

See what it’s like to ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train:

What do you think? Will you be adding this year-round Napa Valley Wine Train route to your bucket list anytime soon? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!  While you're in the area, take a road trip to Sonoma to fully enjoy Northern California wine country. Just be sure to check out our road trip essentials packing list before embarking on your journey!

Love all things Napa? Check out this Napa Castle Winery!

This Wine Train In Northern California Puts A New Spin On Afternoon Tea In The Garden

The Napa Valley Wine Train offers a unique afternoon tea experience with scenic views of Northern California's wine country.

Having lived in Northern California, I can confidently say that it's one of the most beautiful places in the country. Aside from the Bay Area, there's so much to do and explore in the northern part of the state. Therefore, if you're planning to be in the area, I highly recommend booking a ticket to experience the infamous wine region. Better yet, how about planning a memorable outing aboard The Napa Valley Wine Train ?

Along with their tasting and lunch offerings, this wine train in California has a lovely afternoon tea service. During this excursion, you'll take a midday ride through wine country on this historic train while sipping tea, drinking sparkling wine, and eating finger foods. Even if you’ve experienced the Northern California wine train, I think you might want to take another trip to enjoy high tea while speeding through the scenic vineyards that make this part of Northern California so special.

The Napa Valley Wine Train in Northern California has long been celebrated as an iconic way to take in the region's beauty and flavors.

Whether you’re a seasoned tea enthusiast or seeking a unique way to see Napa, this afternoon excursion presents a fun way to soak in this picturesque area of the state.

This special Napa Valley train ride outing was created by a partnership between the wine train and winery Chandon.

In addition to being a special way to see the region, the tea and sparkling wine pairing makes The Secret Garden Afternoon Tea one of the most unique Northern California train rides.

The tour on one of the prettiest Northern California train rides takes place on a vintage Pullman rail car, decked out in a beautiful floral display.

We think the floral display will make you feel as though you’re having tea in a garden– all while seeing Napa Valley.

The three-hour adventure on this wine train in California winds through the area while guests are served cocktails and food in this scenic setting.

Riders will be given a signature drink to enjoy: the Chandon Garden Spritz. This sparkling wine is bright with notes of citrus– perfect for a day in the garden.

Guests will also be served a selection of steeped teas, small portions of soup and salad, plus finger sandwiches, scones, and mini desserts.

This is a great opportunity for people who don’t drink alcohol to enjoy the infamous wine train. Perhaps you and your friends will want to try this tea-centered wine country activity the next time you're contemplating one of the Napa Valley train rides.

Keep in mind that while the tour departs at 11:30 a.m. and returns at 2:30 p.m., guests are expected to arrive at 10:30 to get checked in for their Napa Valley train ride experience. All Aboard!

The Napa Valley Wine Train's afternoon tea offers the public a new way to enjoy California’s most celebrated wine region. Therefore, we think it's an ideal way to celebrate a birthday or special occasion too.

To get started on planning your memorable outing on this wine train in California, visit the Napa Valley Wine Train . If you've already been on this epic outing, let us know if this was one of your favorite Northern California train rides in the following comments section.

And, if you'd like to explore some more, we think you'll also enjoy our coverage of Sonoma. Feel free to also reference Viator for more ideas on what to do when you're in Northern California.

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