From Goat to Table: The Story of Harley Farms on California’s Coast

Nestled amidst the rolling hills, lush pastures, and spruce-tipped air of Pescadero, California, Harley Farms Goat Dairy stands as a living testament to tradition, sustainability, and handcrafted excellence. Beyond simply being the last working dairy farm in San Mateo County, Harley Farms is an immersive experience—one that allows visitors to step into a world where Alpine goats, timeworn barns, and edible flowers converge to create award-winning cheeses and lasting memories.

The Pescadero Landscape: A Pastoral Haven

The journey to Harley Farms takes you along winding roads through Pescadero’s verdant coastal plain, just three miles inland from the Pacific. Here, dew lingers in the air, birds dart between willow hedges, and the blue haze of ocean fog often blankets the farm at dawn. The land—restored and nurtured—offers a glimpse into a slower, gentler past, where every artifact and fence post tells a story. In the morning, herds of Alpine goats roam and forage, their activity at the heart of Harley Farms’ thriving ecosystem.

The Origins of Harley Farms

At the core of this enterprise is Dee Harley, a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and the arts of goat husbandry. In the early 1990s, a handful of pet goats marked the beginning of Harley’s adventure. What began as a homestead hobby quickly grew, fueled by Dee’s vision and the lush fertility of the region. Through years of thoughtful stewardship, Harley Farms expanded to become a beloved local institution, with a herd now numbering over 200 strong—primarily American Alpine goats, celebrated for their abundant milk and personable demeanor.

Life on the Farm: Daily Routines and Responsibilities

On any given day at Harley Farms, life follows a deliberate, centuries-old rhythm:

• Early Morning: The staff and Dee begin with morning milking, an intimate process fostering both efficiency and care.
• Pasture Grazing: Goats are led to fields rich with grasses, lightly dusted by ocean mist, infusing their milk—and later, the cheese—with a distinctive, subtle salinity.
• Kid Care: Springtime brings a burst of new life as kids are born, offering both a source of milk and a highlight for visitors, especially children.
• Cheese Production: Milk is transported through stainless steel pipes to the farm’s small-scale dairy for processing, pasteurization, and transformation into a variety of handcrafted cheeses.

The Goats: The Heartbeat of Harley Farms

The star residents—over 200 Alpine goats—are prized for both their gentle disposition and the fine quality of their milk. Visitors can interact with them daily, and springtime offers the magical opportunity to meet baby goats, or ‘kids’. Harley Farms maintains a deep respect for the animals, raising female kids to join the milking herd while finding homes for male goats in non-meat roles. Their diet, thanks to the proximity of the Pacific Ocean, lends the milk a unique character—infused with natural minerals and just a hint of sea salt.

The Cheese-Making Process: From Pasture to Plate

Cheese production at Harley Farms is a blend of art and science, rooted in traditional techniques and modern standards of hygiene. The journey from milk to cheese unfolds as follows:

• Milking: Each morning and evening, goats are milked by machine and hand.
• Pasteurization: Fresh milk is piped into the dairy for gentle pasteurization, protecting flavor and nutrition.
• Curdling and Separator: Cheese cultures and rennet are added, allowing curds to form, which are then separated from milky whey via gravity or light pressure.
• Shaping and Specialty Touches: The curds are shaped into rounds, logs, or wheels. Distinctive to Harley Farms, many cheeses are hand-decorated with herbs and edible blossoms grown on-site.
• Ripening and Storage: Cheeses are aged under precise conditions for from a few days (for fresh chevre) to several weeks (for harder feta or ricotta).

The variety available includes chevre, ricotta, feta, and fromage blanc—each with medals from national and international competitions.

The Cheese Shop and Farm Offerings

The Cheese Shop is a centerpiece of the visitor experience. Here, guests can sample and purchase:

• Diverse goat cheeses, often adorned with farm-grown herbs or floral displays
• Goat milk lotions and soaps
• Farm-made jellies and local honey
• Seasonal treats and picnic supplies

With fresh cheeses always available, the shop makes it easy to try unique offerings, make a picnic, or take home gifts embodying the spirit of the coast.

Award-Winning Excellence

Harley Farms’ cheeses have gained national and international acclaim, with multiple American Cheese Society awards and World Cheese Show medals. Their commitment to quality—ranging from animal husbandry to hand-inspected packaging—ensures each piece is both a product of place and a testament to artisanal craftsmanship.

Farm Tours and Events: An Interactive Experience

Harley Farms welcomes visitors year-round to discover the full journey from goat to table:

• Guided Tours: Educational walks covering the barns, pastures, dairy, and gardens, highlighting every step of the cheese-making process.
• Meet the Goats: Seasonal opportunities to interact with baby goats and learn about their care and upbringing.
• Cheese Tasting: Sampling of fresh cheeses, often amid the on-site gardens—a highlight for culinary enthusiasts and families alike.
• Special Events: Harley Farms often hosts farm dinners and parties in their restored hayloft, featuring communal tables cut from local fir and an intimate, rustic setting.

For many, the farm’s events—ranging from seasonal festivals to hands-on cheese workshops—are an unforgettable way to connect with local food culture and community.

Commitment to Sustainability

Harley Farms exemplifies sustainable agriculture through:

• Rotational grazing that maintains soil health and pasture diversity
• On-site gardens that supply edible blooms and kitchen herbs for cheese decoration
• Environmental stewardship—careful management of water, land, and animal welfare to ensure long-term viability

This ethos is embedded in every aspect, from cheese production to visitor engagement, and is part of what makes Harley Farms both a destination and a model for small-scale agriculture.

The Restored Barns and Expanding Vision

One of the most compelling features at Harley Farms is its historic barn, recently restored to host events, dinners, and community gatherings. The barn, complete with a grand fir table and custom-carved chairs, also overlooks a revived orchard and vibrant gardens, highlighting Dee Harley’s dual commitment to heritage and innovation.

A Day at Harley Farms: Visitor Guide

Every visit is unique, but here is what you can expect:

• Stroll the pastures with views of goats and resident llamas
• Peek into the dairy and observe the cheese-making process through large windows (for sanitary reasons, entry is restricted)
• Relax outdoors with your own picnic, stocked from the farm shop
• Engage in seasonal activities, such as greeting baby goats or exploring the gardens

FAQs about Harley Farms Goat Dairy

Q: What types of cheese does Harley Farms produce?

A: Harley Farms crafts award-winning chevre, ricotta, feta, and fromage blanc, often decorated with seasonal herbs or flowers.

Q: Can visitors interact with the goats?

A: Yes, especially in spring, when baby goats are in the pens. Visitors can observe and sometimes gently interact with them.

Q: What makes Harley Farms cheese unique?

A: The goats graze on pasturelands close to the ocean, lending the milk and finished cheeses a distinctive flavor, subtly influenced by sea salt in the grasses.

Q: What are the main highlights of a farm tour?

A: The tours cover the entire cheese-making process, viewing the herd, exploring the cheese production room, sampling fresh cheeses, and enjoying the scenic beauty of the gardens.

Q: Are there other products besides cheese?

A: Yes, the farm shop also offers goat milk lotions, soaps, local honey, jellies, and picnic provisions.

Table: Quick Facts about Harley Farms

Plan Your Visit

Open to the public throughout the year, Harley Farms welcomes visitors to stroll, taste, learn, and connect. With its commitment to authenticity, hospitality, and artisanal foodways, a day spent here offers much more than cheese—it offers a slice of California’s agricultural heartland at its most charming and delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Where is Harley Farms located?

A: Harley Farms is in Pescadero, CA, three miles from Pescadero Beach and easily accessible from Half Moon Bay.

Q: Is the farm accessible for families and groups?

A: Yes, the environment is family-friendly and ideal for groups, with guided tours and space for picnics.

Q: How do Harley Farms maintain sustainable practices?

A: Through rotational grazing, water conservation, and dedication to animal welfare, ensuring long-term farm health.

Q: Are reservations required to visit?

A: For general visits, drop-ins are welcome, but tours and special events often require advance booking.

Author

Shinta

 

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

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