Amazing scenery (day & night)! Perfect vacation for the whole family. My wife and I recently stayed at Rinconada Farm (again) in mid June 2017. If you're looking for a great farm experience with fun for the whole family, Rinconada Dairy is your best bet! I grew up in the agricultural heart of California (the central valley) and my wife was raised on a farm since she was 5, so we know good farms when we see them. Pros: -Best chicken, bacon, sausage, eggs, and cheese i've ever had! -The farm system is very eco-friendly (the diet of the animals is hay, the grass that grows there, seasonal acorns, and non-GMO grain feed) -You can get as involved as you like (i've fed the chickens, goats, sheep, and pigs) -Santa Margarita Lake is 2 miles away -The farm is scenic with hills and mountains, and a small creek (last we went it was empty) (My favorite thing is milking the sheep & goats!) Cons: -Feeding the animals is done throughout the day; the first is before the sun rises -Bring boots because you will be stepping on dirt and poop -winter can be cold dipping down to the low 30s We can't wait to be back! read more

My two teenage kids and I stayed at Rinconada Dairy March 2016. The negative reviews by Jonna O and Michael B caused me some worry, so I called and talked to Jim and Christine Maguire, the owners, before I booked the reservation. It was still a gamble, but it paid off. I was not raised on a farm, I don't buy sheep and I don't know fine cheese, so my experience would be very different from those relayed by Jonna O and Michael B. We had a terrific and memorable time. I saw no animals that appeared sick, had cysts or sores nor looked lame. A few of the lambs and goat kids looked thin, and the ranch hands were spot feeding these or else they were separated for special care. I was surprised and impressed at the cleanliness of the milking room. No cheese was being made as this was the beginning of the milking season, but I was shown where it was made, and it looked like a laboratory: clean equipment and good working spaces. Jim Maguire was especially friendly and warm. He invited us to lend a hand with all the activities, including egg gathering, feeding the goats and sheep and getting close-up during the milking. One does run out of activities after the morning and evening farm chores are addressed. We could have hiked through the back areas of the farm, but my teenagers weren't up for that. We went to the nearby reservoir for a bit of boating. $35 for two hours for a lake-size fishing boat with outboard motor (includes $10 park fee). Lake level was low with the drought, but it was still appealing. In the evenings, we congregated with the other guests and the owners on their veranda and chatted, enjoyed the garden and petted dogs, cats and a few lambs in need of TLC for various reasons. I do recommend that if you stay in the "apartment," as we did, to bring food to prepare lunches and dinners - driving 30 minutes to San Luis Obispo or Atascadero and 30 minutes back sucked up too much time. Bacon and eggs plus bread, butter, jams, milk and some apples and oranges are provided for one to cook for breakfast. Our stay cost $250/night including tax, which was a bit tough on my budget, but the memories were worth it. The accommodations were quite tidy and everything worked. We were looking to stay on a farm and experience a bit of the work. There seems to be no other place in Southern California to do this. We greatly enjoyed our time and have good memories. Four stars instead of five because, oddly for a cheese producer, there was no cheese; there wasn't an abundance of things to do and because of the elevated expense. read more

Rinconada Dairy - Milking the goats - Specialty Food Near Me - Santa Margarita, California

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The area around Paso Robles has become California's second go to wine country. You can now have craft cheese with your wine. Christine and Jim Maguire not only make delicious goat and sheep cheeses, but they also rent a couple of rooms. Their place is 30 minutes outside San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles off of a country road. You pull up to their lovely farm house where you're greeted by Christine and her dog Oona. After settling in, Oona will gladly take you on her guided tour of the property. 5:30 is goat and sheep milking time. You can join farm hand Adan and his wife Imelda in the milking room. If you're up to it, you can try the product of your labor -- fresh sheep and goat milk. At night you can head into nearby Santa Margarita and have fine dining at "The Range" restaurant or head further out in the country and grab a casual meal at the 150 year old Pozo Saloon (check to make sure it's open - hours are sporadic). As you head back to your room for the night (and you're a city boy like me), head off down the road, turn off your car and headlights, and look up at the stars -- millions of them. It's magical. read more

I vacillated for months over weather or not to write this review, but after meeting another dairy person with a similar story, I felt it was important to share. I haven't tasted the cheese. This review is about the sheep dairy side of the business. Pros: Lovely sheep with sweet personalities Decent milk production - our ewe produces a little more than half a gallon per day No Johne's that we could find Cons: Sick animals Serious lack of education Poor animal husbandry practices We placed an order for three bred diary ewes around October. These ewes were supposed to be the foundation for our dairy flock, so we were learning a lot as we went along. We noticed a cyst on the cheek of one of the ewes within the first week of arrival. We called the vet out to get a baseline health check on the animals. Of the three ewes we bought from the dairy, one had CL, one had OPP, and one was healthy. All three sheep had a heavy worm load, though worms are common in sheep. Our vet advised us to have the animals put down before they contaminated the entire area. We call Rinconada Dairy to ask for a refund, and share the awful news. Christine was appalled we were considering putting them down (as were we, what and awful position) and agreed to refund the money and collect the ewes. Diagnosis was made in November, and they finally arrived in January to collect the animals. Christine was sweet to the ewes, but their handling of the animals was difficult to watch. At one point they picked up a ewe by the wool and carried her to the back of the truck. They did refund our money for the two ewes, and did pay for our vet bills. I was grateful for that, but I felt there was a lot of misinformation that I believe needs to be addressed. My Question - when were the sheep last wormed? Christine's answer - The vet said her heard was healthy, and did not need worming. Truth: The fecal float showed a heavy worm load that might affect young lambs, worming was recommended before lambing. My Question - Are the sheep healthy? Christine's answer - Rinconada Dairy maintains a closed heard, so the animals do not come in contact with other animals that carry illness. Truth: Rinconada Dairy has both OPP and CL in their heard. They have received testing records to confirm. My Comment - One of the ewes we bought has a large cyst on her cheek. Christine's answer - those pop up from time to time. We put a clay compress on it to help. Truth: CL is highly contagious, and transferable to humans. It can infect the mammary system, and might be concerning in a dairy. My Comment - CL is something to take seriously. Christine's answer - That is bull crap, my vet said CL is in the soil. Truth - CL is in HER ground, but if you don't have it on your property, you certainly don't want to bring it in. I know first hand that raising farm animals can be difficult, and there is always something new to learn. But, as breeders of diary animals, I am shocked and appalled that 2 out of 3 of my animals came back with serious, highly contagious, terminal illnesses. read more

We just spend 2 nights for the weekend at the Rinconada Dairy Farm with our 2yo daughter. And we had a wonderful time.The hosts, Jim and Christine are very welcoming. The guests are always welcomed in the kitchen at any time, for a glass of wine, a chat or just good time with their pets. The farm is beautiful, we went in April were the countryside is blooming and bright green. We stayed in the appartement, which is big enough for a family, the kitchen is well provided. Our daughter was still a little bit young, but we still visited goat, lambs, chicken. Finally they helped us planningour day around the farm, we went to Maragrita Lake, SLO, with a great icecream recommandations. We will come back when our daughter is older for her to be able to help more taking care of the animals. A great escape for a weekend far from LA! read more

We have enjoyed our stay at the Rinconada Dairy farm. Our children enjoyed going on a tiny truck to feed the animals twice a day, collecting the eggs, and playing in the wild. read more

I have had the opportunity to stay at Rinconada farm a few times and enjoyed every visit. Jim and Christine are very friendly and humble individuals who work extremely hard to keep up the farm. The farm stay experience is great for people who are not used to that kind of lifestyle and environment since there are many opportunities for hands on experience. Milking the goats in the morning, collecting the eggs for breakfast, or just simply helping feed the animals are some of the things that you could be doing. In the past, I've helped with labeling and weighing the cheese to sell at the San Luis Obispo farmers market, and have also helped sell it. I have also attended a wedding here, so if anyone is planning a wedding, this is a beautiful outdoor farm setting to definitely check out! I would stay here again if given the opportunity simply for the calmness and tranquility of the place. Also just a warning, there is limited phone reception in the area, but I don't think you'll be needing your phone with such an amazing place. If you haven't already done so, check out Rinconada farm! read more

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I will try to keep this short because Jonna O. Pomway said most of it. I grew up on a farm - cows, sheep, horses, chickens, dogs, cats - so I know what I am talking about. Jonna nailed it all the animals are sick and filthy, not just farm dirty, filthy because there are too many and too crowded. Also, they keep two dogs chained on 12 foot log chains supposedly to keep lions and bears away. As soon as the bears/lions figure out the dogs are chained they will be dinner. Too bad they are very sweet dogs. There are cats everywhere and most have eye issues. Pros: Small guest accommodations are clean and comfortable - DO NOT STAY IN the guest room in their house. Quiet at night Cons: Most of the animals looked sick Breakfast they tout on their web never appeared Demonstration of the cheese making never happened Cheese not that great no matter what they claim, good but not great - we lived in SF for years so we know good food Property is run down - I think they are in over their heads Sad animal situation Christine's husband is an attorney in SLO. I think he is funding his wife's fantasy. She is sort of snotty and thinks she is some high end cheese maker. Because of the condition of the animals and especially the treatment of the dogs I considered filling a complaint with the animal control department, but with the husband being an attorney I suspected I would get sued at worst and at best with his connections nothing would happen. read more

I called asking if they had fresh egg and the owner I assumed called back and told me to talk slower on the phone. very rude. never will do business with them. sorry read more

This weekend, my husband and I are headed north to Rinconada Dairy for lambing season. We have been going yearly since my daughter started school at Cal Poly. I was shocked to see a negative review of what I think is a magical place.....it is so nice to get out in the country and be around animals. Jim and Christine have always been so gracious to us and our accommodations very comfortable. It is now hard for me to buy any meat or chicken at the grocery store because I see how well their animals are taken care and like to buy from them. I have my boots out and can't wait to get on the ranch. read more

My family and I have been coming to Rinconada Dairy as farm-stay guests for many years, and we think of it as our own special country retreat. Nestled in the hills around Paso Robles, one cannot find a more beautiful and bucolic place to get away. Jim and Christine Maguire open their home to us and always provide great suggestions for areas to explore, as well as places to hike and dine. Depending on the time of year, you might find a baby goat or a lamb getting special attention in the house if Christine feels they need it. If you're brave enough to get up early, you might accompany Jim on the early morning feeding and milking. Christine and Jim don't make cheese all year round, but during the times they are milking, and with some advance notice, you might learn a bit about the art of cheesemaking, as Christine's cheese is featured in some of the finest restaurants in the world, including Mario Batali's Eataly. Our two teenages love coming to Rinconada Dairy, and often tag along with Jim as he tends to the animals or works in the garden. The barn apartment is perfect for privacy, and the partially stocked kitchen will allow you to bring your own food and fix lunch and snacks so you don't have to drive into town if you don't want to. The detached guest room in the main house is a bit more modern and comfy but isn't quite as private. The breakfasts that Jim provides range from steel-cut oatmeal to farm-fresh eggs (from chickens whose eggs you can harvest yourself), with bacon from their pigs, to homemade granola. It's not your typical bed and breakfast because this is a working farm and dairy ranch, and as guests you become part of a living, breathing organism. If you're looking for a luxury stay, go to the San Luis Bay Inn. If you're looking for a once in a lifetime farm-stay experience with some of the coolest people you'll ever meet, then spend a weekend at Rinconada Dairy. read more