160 years ago, long before the Golden Gate Bridge connected Marin to San Francisco, Marin French Cheese Company began crafting its now-famous cheeses in the rolling hills of West Marin. Today, it stands proudly as the longest continually operating cheese company in America — and 2025 marks its 160th anniversary.
While the world has changed, Marin French has remained true to its roots: making small-batch, handcrafted soft-ripened cheeses using traditional techniques and fresh local milk.
A Legacy of California Cheesemaking
Founded in 1865, Marin French began as a small creamery supplying the hungry miners and settlers of Gold Rush-era San Francisco. Over generations, it became a cornerstone of the region’s rich artisan food culture — long before the words “farm-to-table” became part of everyday conversation.
Today, their award-winning lineup includes familiar favorites like the Triple Crème Brie, Camembert, and the uniquely West Coast Golden Gate — a washed-rind cheese that’s as bold and beautiful as the bridge it's named after.
The Golden Gate Turns 88
Just a few decades after Marin French began, another California icon came to life: the Golden Gate Bridge, opening to the public in 1937. Now celebrating its 88th year, the Bridge remains one of the most photographed — and beloved — landmarks in the world.
It’s fitting that Marin French’s Golden Gate cheese draws its name and inspiration from the Bridge itself — both symbols of California’s blend of tradition, innovation, and natural beauty.
A Special Bay Area Offer
To celebrate this local connection, Gus’s Market in San Francisco is featuring Marin French’s Golden Gate Cheese for a limited time. It's the perfect chance for Bay Area cheese lovers to enjoy this buttery, washed-rind cheese that’s both approachable and complex — a true taste of local history.
👉 Available now at Gus’s Market locations across San Francisco — but only for a limited time. Click here for Gus's locations, and promotion details.
Celebrate Local
Whether you're a longtime Bay Area resident or just visiting, there’s something special about tasting the foods that have grown up alongside the region’s history. Here’s to 160 years of Marin French, 88 years of the Golden Gate Bridge, and many more years of good cheese ahead.
