Visiting factories are lots of fun. It is nice to have a behind the scene view on how things are done. It is not always the first thing that comes to people’s mind or visitors but it should as I believe it teaches us so much on mechanics, tour de main or other technical skills needed to put together a fortune cookie or the amount of time needed to create a jelly belly bean. I have put together a list of some factories that are open for tours in the Bay Area. Visits are free unless written otherwise. I have classified them by location.
FAIRFIELD
1. Jelly Belly Factory
Location 1 Jelly Belly Ln, Fairfield,CA
www.jellybelly.com
Tel: 1-800-9-JELLYBEAN (1-800-953-5592).
The Jelly Belly Visitor Center is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM PT, and factory tours operate daily from 9 AM to 4 PM PT, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Easter Sunday. They may also be closed the day before or after these holidays.
Tours depart approximately every 15 minutes throughout the day and last approximately 40 minutes. I do not advise to go on week-ends as the machines will not be working and you will miss on the experience. I went to visit it a while ago on a week-day and we had a fantastic time strolling along a promenade standing above the workers making the candy. A free bag of jelly beans is given at the end of the tour. You can enjoy lunch at the Jelly Belly cafeteria where you can eat jelly belly shaped pizzas .
After lunch, you can head to another factory located less than 2 miles away.
2. Anheuser Busch plant
3101 Busch Dr., Fairfield, CA
www.budweisertours.com/toursFAIR.htm
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Jan - Dec
If you are 21 years of age or older, you can sample their products in the Hospitality Room
The complimentary tour of the Northern California Fairfield Brewery will guide you through a blend of rich brewing heritage and state-of-the-art technology as you discover how beers are carefully crafted.
SAN FRANCISCO
3. Fortune Cookie Factory
56 Ross Alley (at Jackson), San Francisco (Chinatown), CA
(415) 781-3956
It is located down the oldest alley in San Francisco: Ross Alley at number 56. While you are there, grab a bag or two of fortune cookies for snacks. It is a hole in the wall, you will be done in 5 minutes but I am sure the kids and you will love that little place. I know I do and I take anybody who comes visit us. They ask you to tip if you take photos.
4. Mee Mee Bakery
1328 Stockton Street (between Broadway and Vallejo) , San Francisco, CA
415.362.3204
The bakery is open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm but visits only occur between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
5. Anchor Brewing Company
1705 Mariposa Street
San Francisco ,CA
Tel 415-863-8350
They offer one public tour each weekday, by reservation only (try calling one month in advance to secure a date). The walking tour of the brewery lasts about 40-45 minutes. The tour guide will give you a brief history of the brewery and walk you through three floors of our building. Children are welcome to come on the tour, but of course may not taste the beer during our tasting session, which follows the walking tour. Altogether, the tour and the tasting last for about 2 hours, and tastings are only available to those who take the tour.
6. Girardhelli Chocolate
Inside the Ghirardelli Ice Cream Shop at Ghirardelli Square you can see the original chocolate-making equipment in operation. (The Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory moved to San Leandro and is not open for public tours).
900 North Point St. San Francisco, CA
Tel: 415 474 3938
Open: Sunday to Thursday 9 am to 11 pm. The ice cream fountain opens at 10 am. Friday and Saturday, it is open till midnight.
PETALUMA
7. Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory Tour
3810 Cypress Drive, Petaluma, CA
Tel: 1 (800) 429-4549
Reservations
Tours are Monday-Friday by reservation only. Go to Location & Hours for current tour schedules, or call to reserve your space!
Tours are $3.00 per person for ages 3 and up. They last one hour and they include a video, a guided tour of the factory, a craft activity, a visit to the sticker museum and a coupon for $3 off your purchase of $20 at the Company Store
Strollers are permitted in all areas except the production floor.
If you want to know more, check Debbie from www.friscokids.net great post on her visit to the factory with her kids.
.
