Loleta Cheese Factory

Love love love this place. Been going there for 35 years! Great family owned business. Excellent customer service and the best cheese ever!

This little cheese factory and garden is a delightful run-​in with serendipity. While the cheese making wasn’t happening when we visited (on a Friday afternoon), the proprietors were nonetheless charmingly hospitable and conversant, offering free tastings of every one of their excellent cheeses along with a few fun stories of local folklore from Bob, the owner. We were invited to enjoy a scavenger hunt in the charming and quirky garden, where we spent considerable time in the lovely space. Treat yourself by making time for this not-​to-​be-​missed side trip just off the 101.

Since we were on a road trip, this was one of our planned stops. We love cheese of all kinds and just wanted to grab something to snack on later on in the hotel. It was very easy to find and we had lots of fun trying the many varieties of their delicious cheeses. They let you try as many as you want. Everyone was super friendly and nice. We also got some crackers and locally made jam.

This is the première place to visit in Loleta… it is also the only place to visit in Loleta, if you want to get technical, but there’s no need to get fancy about it, ya city clicker. At any rate, we make it a point to stop here every time we’re in the county because 1) their cheese is delicious and 2) their cheese is delicious. And it’s all local Humboldt, etc., etc. But mostly: their cheese is delicious. The small store includes samples of all their cheeses (and there are many), and the large window looks into the factory (?) where they make the cheese– in the large stirring vats, etc. It’s very interesting. I’m not going to say that the clerks are overly-​friendly… but I’m not going to say that ANYONE in Humboldt County is particularly friendly (jesus, people, would it kill you to smile?), so don’t come here for the company; come here for the cheese.

Cheese cheese cheese, cheese cheese cheese, cheese cheese all the way!!!
I can’t believe how many cheeses they have and the very best part is that you can taste all of them! Work your way around the cheese cases and then go around again!
I loved the hickory smoked cheddar and the aged cheddar and I sampled so many that I had a stupid grin on my face when I was all done.
There is a big window where u can see them making the cheese and there are some other things to purchase such as jams & jellies, teas, all kinds of crackers and even handmade soap!
My advice is to take your time, sample and look all over the shop for some unique and delicious things.

My wife and I enjoy business tours on vacation and this one was great. The people there were very engaging and VERY into cheese. The store samples out all the types of cheeses they make, 27 to be exact and they were all great. Not for the person looking for aged cheeses but really good product. I cannot say enough about how well they handled people in the stores. They were very friendly and the visit was just FUN.
It is not a huge business but it appears to be well run with great product. I know I left with 2 bricks of cheese — mainly because my wife made me put the others back ;-)

This place is worth a stop if you’re in the area. They have a wide selection of cheeses, all excellent. We especially liked the extra sharp cheddar. A couple of things to note, they don’t ship during the summer months, and they stop the cheese making process at around 2:30 p.m. and start to clean up, so we missed seeing that. They have loads of free samples, and even have curds to sample, they call it «squeaky cheese». A great local business to support.

There was so much to taste! Samples of every variety of cheese that the factory makes! All of them were delicious, but we ended up taking home a block of Smoked Monterey! The gift shop also hosts a plethora of other tasty treats! Jam, honey, jellies and so much more and they’re all LOCAL!
Sara was super helpful in explaining her favorites and the process as well! She was also very helpful in pointing out neat things to do around town!
Also Halloween movie fans, the Loleta Cheese factory is directly across the street from the Silver Shamrock Factory from Halloween 3: Season of the Witch!

My family and I have been coming here for years, and have never been disappointed. The cheeses are all excellent, and it’s very clear that each of the products are made with a great sense of pride. The owners are charming and sweet, and they go out of their way to help you understand and enjoy the great variety of offerings. I’ve also purchased from their online service as well, and gotten Christmas gifts for family members. Great work, guys!
Note: While you’re visiting the factory, don’t miss a stroll through the adjacent garden. It’s absolutely beautiful, and clearly maintained with pride and great attention to detail.

Only reason not 5 stars is I didn’t get to see cheese being made, but otherwise AWESOME stop if you love cheese! I tasted almost all of them and picked the herb and spice havarti… Can’t wait to have it with some wine and crackers or on a grilled cheese sandwich. We will definitely be stopping again.

This little shop is warm, wonderful and houses some yummy cheese! We spent 3 hours here talking with the owner, Bob, and the very friendly and informative, Shirley. Besides making us feel welcome their passion about cheese was contagious and interesting. When you stop, make sure it’s on a Tuesday or Saturday as that’s when you can observe the cheese making.
The other part of this venture was the gardens. It’s like walking into an Eden of sorts. Their gardener has done an incredible job… speaking of passions.
Our favorite cheeses were the sharp cheddar, havarti with herb and spice and my very favorite– the habanero white cheddar which has a nice kick. You can sample all of their cheeses and I’m sure you’ll find a favorite too.
My husband and I tried to visit the cheese factory almost 30 years ago but they were closed. I’m so happy that we made the effort this trip. Next time it won’t be so long.
Thank you Bob and Shirley and to the rest of your staff-​family too. You were our favorite part of our vacation.

We love this cheese! So of course we had to come back when we visited Ferndale this week.
It’s a great local business in Loleta, Ca. Check with them or online before going so you can see the cheese making process!
Everyone is so friendly and they really know their cheese. The owner was in and was a very friendly, knowledgeable fellow. Naturally he knows his cheese but being a local he really knows the local area and has some great stories.
Take advantage of the cheese sampling and you’ll be hooked, we were! They also offer an assortment of other goods and snacks. You can take advantage of a very nice patio for a relaxing afternoon.
We ended up getting half a dozen different cheeses to share once we get back home. You can also order online or by phone.
Not sure of the exact air dates but they were highlighted on the Guy Fieri show, Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. He’s from the Victorian Village of Ferndale which is only five miles away.
So stop by and say CHEESE!

Attn: All Wisconsin Transplants in Norcal
Are you missing cheese curds? Then this is the place to go! Seriously, you need to take a road trip and stop by this little gem hidden amongst the rolling hills of Humboldt County.
A small facility but it offers a wide variety of cheeses, along with a selection of other foods and local items and gifts. Take a moment to sample a few options and pick your favorite. I guarantee that you will have more than one!
Enjoy a snack out on their patio/​garden area, and just take a moment to relax! Depending on the day, you may even see the cheese being made.
Guy Fieri may love this place and featured it on a segment of Dinners, Drive-​ins and Dives, but we found it long before that episode aired. Actually, that episode airs about twice a month and their online sales soar because of it! Nevertheless, the two gals that run the register and front area have been there since our very first visit, and one even remembered us. (Yes, we have stopped in on numerous occasions!)
Located directly across the street from the original creamery (not abandoned), this quaint shop is a must see on your trip up north!

What a fun shop just off the highway. Friendly folks and darn good cheese.

Cheese!
Do you like cheese?
This is THE place for you!
What kinda cheese do you like?
Oh? Really? Me, too! They probably sell that here.
This was a fascinating little tourist spot. They sell delicious cheese, made in-​house, from milk that came from their own herd of grass-​fed cows.
The shop has, like, 40+ types of cheese… As well as other foods made by local producers.
And guess what? It’s a factory, so you can watch them make the cheese. It was a fascinating experience.
Stop in — it’s free… But you probably won’t be able to leave without buying some cheese.

Wonderful shop! Glad we stopped. Samples available for all of their cheeses. Friendly staff, big glass window so you can watch the cheese being made. Gift shop with an assortment of items, and a beautiful garden set up with items so kids can play scavenger hunt. Won’t lie, I’m certainly not a kid, but I enjoyed playing the scavenger hunt, too. Never did find the rubber snake, though.
Was lucky enough to get to chat for a while with Bob, the owner, who is a friendly gentleman with lots of great stories. Definitely would come back if I’m ever in the area again.

We tried all their cheeses. We purchased none.
We watched the workers behind the glass panes make the cheese. The one lone employee at the front gave an informative presentation of the cheese making process at the Loleta Cheese Factory.. She was a busy gal, ringing up and greeting customers and trying to manage the group presentation. Most of the cheeses are done within 42 hours. They make cheese making look easy.
You can try every single type of cheese that they make here, and we did. After coming up from Petaluma, and visiting the dairy farms down there, and sampling the amazing artisanal wares, the offerings at Loleta Cheese factory were too run of the mill for us. We were looking for something aged since we were on a road trip and refrigeration was an issue. If refrigeration wasn’t an issue I might have considered purchasing some smoked cheese and cheese curds. Can’t go wrong with freshly made cheese.
Btw, we were the only ones that left empty handed. Everyone else left with piles and piles of cheese.

Like many people that have visited this sleepy part of the state recently or is planning on it, we saw this area on Triple DD. It was interesting that every place that we visited on our weekend trip all recommended that we stopped by the cheese factory. On our way out of town we decided to stop. Upon entering, a young lady greeted us at the door and immediately started showing us things. She was nice and very friendly. She pointed us to the windows where we saw two guys working on the cheese. It was a nice experience for the kids to see. I also learned a few things.
There are many samples of cheese to eat and we ended up picking up a few blocks. I have seen other reviews on how the cheese is ordinary and something you can get at the grocery store, well I hate to break it to you, but this isn’t France and you are not buying some artisan cheese. You are in town, visiting a place and purchasing cheese from the source. It is like taking your 5 year old to Disneyland and saying I can get you a shirt at Walmart. I felt perfectly fine buying this cheese and eating it, and the next time I see the Diners, Drive in and Dives show in a rerun I can smile and say I had some of that cheese.
If in the area and want a nice surpise stop, I suggest that you stop here.

Wow… A lot has changed over the past 13 years since I’ve left Loleta! There are so many varieties to choose from now at the Cheese Factory! But one thing hasn’t changed… The havarti is still just as amazing as I remembered. And out of all the different types of cheese they now offer, the havarti is still my favorite!!!

Everytime I think of Loleta Cheese, it makes my mouth water. I can’t imagine taking the trip up north and not stopping here. This year we brought an cooler to take more home.
You can sample every single cheese if you want and almost always we want to have them all. After sampling, we settled on 4 different types of cheese including Habanero Jack, Jalapeño Colby, Garlic Jack and Jalapeño Monterey Jack. Total cost with a soda, less than $ 20.00.
We brought one over to our Christmas eve dinner and saved the rest for home. We are still enjoying our different varieties and will be sad when we run out.