Partake of a pastoral paradise at Marin French Cheese

Thompson created his classic Petite Breakfast cheese to feed San Francisco’s booming population of dockworkers following the Gold Rush. Since then, the company has expanded its repertoire to appeal to contemporary palates, creating Brie-style cheeses made with mustard seeds, jalapeños or imported French truffles.

West Marin’s terroir and climate — foggy mornings, cool ocean breezes and warm afternoons — help give those cheeses their signature flavors, and climate also makes this an especially pleasant picnic spot any time of year, but especially in the spring, summer and early autumn.

Most visitors gravitate to the pond, where ducks and geese sometimes paddle. Picnickers spread blankets on its grassy banks, shaded by trees. There are picnic tables and Adirondack chairs and, behind the cheese shop, more picnic areas, including a huge lawn where children can run and play.

The picnic: The shop offers pretty much everything you might need for a picnic, from local wines and ciders to 4-ounce wheels of cheese, salads and toasted ham, turkey or vegetable sandwiches that feature the company’s signature triple creme Brie or Petite Mustard Brie. Small glass jars of chocolate and snickerdoodle pots de creme made by Sonoma’s St. Benoit Creamery are perfect for dessert.

The details: The cheese shop and picnic grounds are typically open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily during the summer and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter at 7510 Point ReyesPetaluma Road in Petaluma; https:// marinfrenchcheese.com. Dogs on leash are welcome on the picnic grounds.

Extras:

MARIN FRENCH CHEESE CO. Check the creamery’s Facebook page — www.facebook.com/marinfrenchcheesecompany —for recipes, pairing ideas and details about tasting events with local chocolate makers, bakers and other producers. Consider making a day of it with stops at other Marin or Sonoma County cheese makers along the California Cheese Trail; https:// cheesetrail.org. Pick up cheeses, salumi and other picnic provisions at the Marin French Cheese Co., then enjoy the spread at a picnic table near the pond.