Factory tours offer a unique opportunity to learn about the manufacturing process and gain insight into how products are made. Satisfy your intellectual curiosity by taking these factory tours in Northern California.

During these tours, you’ll learn about the inner workings of various industries, such as automotive, food and beverage, electronics, and much more. Tours often include interactive elements, like demonstrations, hands-on activities, and opportunities to ask questions to on-site experts. You’ll also hear anecdotes from employees and learn fun facts about the products.

1. Jelly Belly Factory– Fairfield

See how Jelly Beans are made at the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield.

This self-guided tour will take guests through the production area of the factory, plus many exhibits and displays. Entree also includes the Jelly Belly Express Train Ride. The tour ends at the Jelly Belly Museum Store, where you can purchase all sorts of Jelly Belly items. There is also a Jelly Belly art gallery, cafe, and chocolate store.

Tours are available daily, but it’s best to come during the week if you can since the production floor will be buzzing with Jelly Belly employees making the candies.

If you can only visit on the weekend, an HD/4K video throughout the tour shows the manufacturing process. Before your visit, check the Jelly Belly website to see if they have reduced hours or any tour changes.

2. Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company– Fairfield

Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company is a family-owned business that produces olive oil from olives grown and processed on-site.

Sit-down olive oil tastings require reservations, which is perfect because you can also schedule a tour of the mill at the same time. Group tours are also available.

Farm and mill tours take place most days of the week and begin around 10 a.m. Tours are about 2 hours long. Reservations are required.

On the tour, you’ll learn about the organic olive farm, the history of olive oil, and the production of this award-winning olive oil. Tours are concluded with olive oil tastings.

In addition to their olive oils, they also sell wine under their own label. Enjoy a glass of wine, plus bread and olive oil on their outdoor patio with breathtaking views of their 2,000 olive trees.

3. Sierra Nevada Brewery– Chico

Learn all about craft beer production at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico.

At this Northern California brewery, you’ll learn how Sierra Nevada beer is made, plus enjoy a tasting at the bar. There is also an excellent restaurant on-site.

Tours are offered daily.

The standard brewery tour is an hour long. On this tour, visitors will see the kettles up-close, learn about hops as well as fermentation. The tour concludes at the Brewhouse Bar where guests can try four Sierra Nevada brews. Reservations are recommended.

4. Hilmar Cheese Company– Hilmar

Learn how cheese is made at Hilmar Cheese Company in Hilmar, California. Hilmar is a small town located in California’s Central Valley. It’s about two hours from San Francisco and 90 minutes from Sacramento.

The Merced County cheese creamery offers free self-guided and guided tours with an optional hands-on ice cream making activity. Self-guided tours are available Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guided tour times and ice cream making tours vary by season.

Guests can explore interactive, hands-on exhibits about cows, dairies, and cheese making. They always have free cheese samples available and are one of the only places in CA to get “squeakers,” fresh cheese curds (yes, they squeak when you eat them).

Watch employees package the “big cheese,” which are 640-pound crates of cheese. Hilmar Cheese Company also offers Ice Cream Making Tours. For groups of 10 or more, you’ll need to make reservations.

For enthusiasts and collectors, factory tours can be especially enjoyable. On tours, visitors get behind-the-scenes access to areas that are not normally open to the public. Seeing everything involved to make the items you enjoy can give people a greater appreciation for everyday products.

Which Northern California factory tour would you like to take?