Headed to Apple Hill this weekend? Here are the basics before you go
If you’re looking to complete your fall season with classic activities — from apple picking, wine tasting to pumpkin patches — Apple Hill might be your one stop.
Tucked in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, near Placerville, is a Northern California community of farmers and winemakers called Apple Hill Growers. On a regular day, you can find bakeries, diverse fruit and vegetable farms and flower beds; and in the fall, you’ll find seasonal treats.
Before you and your loved one make the trek to Apple Hill, here’s what to know:
Where is Apple Hill?
The Apple Hill visitor center is at 2952 Carson Rd #1, Placerville. The region features more than 50 family farms, including Rainbow Orchards and Patrick’s Berry Farm and Garden. There’s an online map that lists all the farms and their addresses.
What to do this fall at Apple Hill
The community offers a wide range of seasonal activities.
You Pick farms
You can pick your own fruits and vegetables at a handful of farms. At 24 Carrot Farm, you can pick flowers, tomatoes, strawberries and pumpkins depending on the season, and at Denver Dan’s, you can pick apples.
You can see the entire list of You Pick farms and fruit and vegetable availability online.
Bakery shops
You can also have your taste of fall with apple cider donuts and caramel covered apples at the various bakeries around Apple Hill.
Some stores include: Apple Ridge Farms, where you’ll find homemade fudge, jams, fresh apples, cider and pie; Fudge Factory Farm, known for its candy coated apples, blackberry wine, and fresh and frozen pie; and Rainbow Orchards, famous for its hot apple cider donuts, homemade corn dogs and tri-tip barbeque.
You can see which bake shop will satisfy your sweet and savory tooth online.
Pumpkin patches
Fall isn’t complete without a visit to the pumpkin patch. See the farms that have pumpkins galore.
Family-friendly events
For the month of October, Apple Hill has a wide range events and kid-friendly activities.
This includes Cider Sunsets on Friday at Hidden Star Camino and Wine Tastings at Woffords Acres Vineyards on the weekends. Other events include:
Saturday and Sundays - Haunted Forest at Madrone Tree Hill
Oct. 12 - Pumpkin Centerpiece Class at Rucksack Cellars
Oct. 20 - Wreath making and wine tasting at Smokey Ridge Ranch
Oct. 28 to 31 - Trick or treating at Grandpa’s Cellar
This story was originally published October 6, 2022 at 7:30 AM.