Apple Hill Outside Placerville, CA
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
Ah, harvest time comes to the Sierras, and you have the urge to get out of town on an autumn weekend. There's no better place to head than Apple Hill, California!
About 2 hours west of Reno, and about an hour or so east of Sacramento on Highway 50, lies the area known as "Apple Hill." It's really a stretch of side roads, from the town of Camino almost all the way to Placerville. What you'll find are farms, craft shops, and bakeries, all dedicated to the fresh produce that comes from the area -- mostly apples, but also pears, pumpkins, etc. (There are also quite a few decent wineries scattered around the region!)
Apple Overload!
Get ready for apple overload! Where ever you go in Apple Hill during the harvest (September through November or so), you'll find apples. Apple pie, apple butter, apple strudel, apple cake, apple bread. If you can make it with apples, you'll find it there somewhere. Of course, you can also find fresh apples and other fruit and vegetables. You'll also find homemade crafts, and several Christmas tree farms.
Fine Wines
While you're roaming around the hills, enjoying the scenery, the food, and the crafts, you can also try some fine wines. El Dorado County, the home of Apple Hill, is also home to many wineries, and is becoming known as a small "Napa" in the Sierra to many. Try a few of the wines from Sierra Vista, Lava Cap, Madrona, and Jodar. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised at the quality of these wines, and take a few bottles home with you.
We've traveled to Apple Hill many times during the fall, it makes a wonderful day trip, and the weather has always been outstanding. Bright blue sky, the fresh scent of pine trees, and the mouth-watering aroma of baking apples. What more could you ask for? Some of our favorite ranches to visit for apples and baked goods are the Apple Creek Ranch (one of the biggest), Boa Vista Orchards, and Abel's Apple Acres.
At your first stop, be sure to pick up the free brochure handed out at all the Apple Hill merchants. It's published by the Apple Hill Growers, and includes a map with directions to all the growers in the area. It also has a handy chart telling what growers sell what types of apples and produce, and also which ones let you pick your own fruit.
Where to Stay
The closest town to the area is Placerville, and you can find everything from moderately priced hotels to bed and breakfasts and inns in the Placerville area. There are also many small inns and hotels scattered throughout the region. There are also many fine restaurants in the area if you're planning on spending the weekend, rather than just the day.
Apple Hill is a great place to visit any time of the year, but it's at its very best during the fall, when the fruit is ripe, and the weather is still warm. A day spent in the Sierra foothills is rejuvenating, and full of the things that make life special, like family, friends, good food, and good fun. The next time you feel the need to get away, try Apple Hill, I'll bet it will become a fall tradition with your family!