Treat the Family to a Getaway in Apple Hill
Good For
- Family Time
- Gourmet
- Play
Why Go
Apples and autumn are like two peas in a pod. And one of the most memorable fall activities you could do this year is visiting Apple Hill in El Dorado County for a quintessential fall experience. It’s a great family weekend getaway.
Apple Hill is a region along the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Placerville with more than 60 orchards. You can spend a weekend visiting various farms and participating in festive fall activities. At these farms, you can enjoy picking apples, apple-themed baked goodies, pumpkin patches, wine, and pony rides.
During a weekend trip, you can visit about four to five farms. If this is your first trip, you can’t go wrong with visiting High Hill Ranch, one of the biggest and most popular farms. Rainbow Orchards offers its famous apple cider and donuts – you must try it! Larsen Apple Barn has been around since the 1860s and is a good place for a picnic lunch. Denver Dan’s Apple Patch prides itself on being a family-friendly place to take the kids. And 24 Carrot Farm is an excellent place to stock up on organic produce to take home.
Suggested Itinerary
Arrive on Friday so that you can spend all day Saturday on the farms. This handy map can help you plan your route. In the evening, eat dinner on Main Street in nearby downtown Placerville. On Sunday, you can squeeze in visits to more farms before heading home.
Things to Do
- Pick your own apples.
- Drink apple cider and eat delicious baked goods.
- Entertain the kids with tours, hayrides, and other fun activities.
- Take a stroll on Main Street in Placerville’s charming downtown.
When to Go
The apples are ready to be picked from mid-August through October. If you have a favorite apple variety, consult the harvest calendar to see when it’s most ripe.
Cost
Most activities are inexpensively priced, and how much you spend on food and drink depends on your appetite.