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When you think of fall travel destinations, California probably doesn’t immediately come to mind, does it? California has great weather almost year round, and it’s true that many places in the state don’t really experience much in terms of visual change when the seasons change. However, if you find yourself living in (or visiting) California in the fall, and you really want some of those fall feels, there’s a little corner of California known as Apple Hill that will make all your fall dreams come true!
This Apple Hill fall travel guide will give you some helpful tips on the best times to visit Apple Hill, what the vibes are like at some of the farms I recommend you visit, and most importantly, where to find the best apple treats!
Where and What is Apple Hill?
Apple Hill is a collection of over 50 farms (think apples/fruits, vegetables, and Christmas trees), wineries, bakeries, cideries and even a brewery! The area is located in Camino, California (near the historic town of Placerville) and is just under an hour east of Sacramento.
In early fall, you can head to Apple Hill for apple picking; experience bustling pumpkin patch activities in October; pick up pies and other baked goods for Thanksgiving in November; or take the journey to pick up your family Christmas Tree in December.
There’s definitely a little something for everyone in this gem!
For more information on exploring the Apple Hill area, be sure to check out the Apple Hill website when planning your trip.
Best Months to Visit Apple Hill
Most of the farms at Apple Hill are only open seasonally from around the end of August through December, so fall is really the best time to visit the area.
- September: Best month for apple picking. The Apple Hill website does have a handy guide for you outlining approximate harvest dates for different types of apples so be sure to check that out if you have a favorite!
- October: Best month for pumpkin season. Several of the farms will have pumpkin patches and related activities. I’ve been in both October and November and found October to be extremely crowded, so just keep that in mind.
- November: Best month to avoid large crowds, have great weather, and still experience fall.
- December: Christmas tree season! Do take note that it can snow in the area during the late fall/winter, so be sure to check the weather prior to visiting. Also, some farms may have already closed for the season as December rolls around.
If you’re looking for a year-round experience at Apple Hill, Boa Visa Orchards is open 363 days a year (it is one of the larger farms and they have kick ass donuts). You can always pair a stop here with visits to some of the local wineries, most of which are also open year-round.
Best Apple Hill Farms
As I mentioned above, there are over 50 destinations in the Apple Hill area so it would take some time to cover all that ground! I’ve been to the area several years in a row and feel like I have barely scratched the surface.
Below is a list of all the farms I’ve been to that I recommend you visit as well. I’ve included some tidbits on the vibe and what you can expect when visiting each spot!
Hidden Star Bakery & Taproom
We love visiting the Hidden Star Taproom when up in the Apple Hill area, particularly for the delicious hard ciders! They have bottles for purchase, or you can enjoy a flight to figure out what you like best.
If you have kids, this is also good stop as they have a little village on the property with tiny play houses sprinkled throughout the pine trees.
- Vibe: Laid Back
- What to Get: Ciders flights! My favorites are the Cherry Seinfeld, Love Bug and Thunder & Lightning
- Days Open: Seasonally from select dates in September – December
- Food On Site?: Bakery with fresh-baked goods and rotating food vendors (such as a taco stand out front). Be sure to check with the Taproom prior to visiting to confirm.
Delfino Farms
Delfino Farms is one of my favorite stops in Apple Hill, particularly for their “famous” Walking Apple Pie from Joan’s Bakery! You’ve got to get your pie covered in warm apple cider cinnamon sauce and the vanilla ice cream topper. It’s one of the best apple desserts my husband and I have ever had. One pie is plenty for two people to share, especially if you are visiting multiple farms in one day.
I also recommend getting a glass of the Henrietta Stitch cider to wash down the pie. Bonus: you can take your plastic glass back for refills and get $1.00 off!
There is also a winery on site (Edio Vineyards) and the grounds have some of the best fall views in Apple Hill!
- Vibe: Laid Back with beautiful fall views
- Days Open: Edio Vineyards is open year-round; Joan’s Apple Bakery is open seasonally on select dates from August – November (as well as the last weekend of summer months for seasonal pies).
- What to Get: Walking Apple Pie with warm cider sauce & ice cream
- Food On Site?: Baked goods only
Rainbow Orchards
Rainbow Orchards is a must-stop every time we visit Apple Hill because of their amazing hot apple cider donuts! They are the best little treats that come out piping hot and coated in sugar. If you’re looking for something savory, they also sell corndogs and hot link corndogs.
Rainbow Orchards also sells bottled ciders ($10.00 each) and has a wine tasting area out back overlooking the picnic table areas, which would be a great spot to have lunch if you have packed a picnic.
- Vibe: Medium Busy (low key in November)
- Days Open: Seasonally on select dates from August – December
- What to Get: Warm apple cider donuts!
- Food On Site?: Lots of baked goodies available, but they also sell corn dogs and hot link corn dogs
North Canyon Cider
For your boozy cider needs, be sure to stop by North Canyon Cider. Cider tasting at North Canyon is free! They give out sample cups when ordering at the window to see what strikes your fancy. I recommend the Hoppy and Pineapple Ginger flavors, and you can even purchase cans to go to enjoy back at home.
If you’re hungry, North Canyon will have rotating food trucks on site. Be sure to check with them beforehand to see what’s on for the day. When we visited, we snagged some pulled pork sliders and mac and cheese from Pacific Coast Pasta and it was delish. You really need some savory food to cut all the sweetness from the baked goods in Apple Hill, and this was the perfect amount for us to not get too full.
- Vibe: Laid back
- Days Open: Seasonally on select dates from September – November
- What to Get: Hoppy or Pineapple Ginger Ciders
- Food Onsite?: Food trucks may be available – check with the cidery prior to visiting to confirm.
Jack Russell Brewing Co.
Another one of our favorite spots in Apple Hill is Jack Russell Brewing! When you get tired of drinking ciders, ordering a flight of beer at the brewery will be your cure. If you are a hop head, their Double IPA is certainly the best IPA they have on tap. And while I’m usually not a stout girl, their vanilla stout is pretty tasty.
I’ve visited the brewery both in October and November and November is less busy. There is tons of seating on the brewery side, and if you aren’t into beer, you can make your way around back to the little wine tasting area.
- Vibe: Laid back or bustling, depending on time of year
- Days Open: Year round, so you can visit any season you like!
- What to Get: The Double IPA or Vanilla Stout
- Food On Site?: Food trucks/pop up tents are onsite at times – check with the brewery before visiting.
High Hill Ranch
High Hill Ranch is one of the most popular (and busiest) farms in Apple Hill. I am more of a fan of visiting the smaller farms simply because they are less crowded; however, I knew I just had to have the Caramel Apple Crunch Pie from High Hill Ranch for my Thanksgiving holiday one year (spoiler – it’s the best pie I’ve ever had!). They also have amazing apple crumb donuts!
This farm has lots of different shops and stands, which probably makes it a great place to visit if you have kids in tow.
- Vibe: Busy, busy, busy – even in November! This is one of the area’s most popular farms.
- What to Get: Apple crumb donuts and pies – the caramel apple pie is to die for!
- When Open: Seasonally from August – December
- Food On Site?: High Hill Ranch BBQ Grill serves up food items like tri-tip, hamburgers, and sausages and is open daily throughout the season.
Boa Vista Orchards
Boa Vista Orchards is another one of the most popular spots in Apple Hill. While not technically a “farm” like some of the others in the area, they certainly know how to keep visitors coming back in droves!
Boa Vista is busy year-round, probably because it’s one of the only farms open all throughout the year. It won’t really matter what time of year you come unless you visit on a weekday. Expect crowds and longer wait times for baked goods!
In October, they have a pumpkin patch and photo activities, in addition to their seasonal baked goods and hard cider counter. They also sell lots of other products in their market. There’s a little bit of something for everyone!
You simply cannot go to Boa Vista without getting an apple cake donut. Holy hell, I will never forget that first bite! They even make ice cream sandwiches with their famous donuts.
- Vibe: Busy – all the time. This farm is one of the larger farms, and is actually open year-round.
- What to Get: Apple cake donuts – quite possibly the best donut I’ve eaten in my life (best eaten fresh on site).
- When Open: Year round (363 days/year)
- Food On Site?: There is a deli/BBQ grill where you can get sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs for lunch.
Apple Ridge Farms
Truth be told, the only reason why we made it to Apple Ridge Farms was to get some lunch! They do have a bakery as well with apple cider donuts so I would definitely check that out.
The BBQ is pretty good – we had pulled pork sandwiches and salads and I would give it a thumbs up!
- Vibe: Busy! (At least in October)
- What to Get: The pulled pork sandwich was tasty
- When Open: Seasonally on select dates from August – December
- Food On Site?: Apple Ridge has a BBQ shack serving up sandwiches, burgers, salads, and hot dogs.
Pine-O-Mine Ranch
Pine-O-Mine was a very laid back stop for us in Apple Hill when we visited during both in the summer and fall. They also happen to be one of the local u-pick farms for apple season, so they might get a little busier in September/October.
They have an adorable barn and spacious property (big enough for a few families to play cornhole) and serve up local cider, beer, and have rotating food trucks on site (we’ve had BBQ and Mexican food here).
Pine-O-Mine also hosts live music and events like dancing in the barn and axe throwing, so be sure to follow their social media to see what they’ve got going on!
- Vibe: Laid back
- What to Get: Beer and cider! They also offer u-pick Apples during apple season.
- When Open: Year-round on Fridays – Sundays
- Food On Site?: Rotating food trucks (BBQ and Mexican food for example)
Drew Bean Farm
One of the best desserts we’ve had at Apple Hill to date is the crème brulee French Toast from Drew Bean Farms! We wandered over here after a ridiculously overcrowded Grandpa’s Cellar across the street and I’m so glad we did. The crème brulee French Toast is warm and soft on the inside with bruleed crunchy bits of bread throughout. It’s a must get!
Grandpa’s Cellar
As one of the more popular farms in Apple Hill, I have some thoughts on Grandpa’s Cellar. Firstly, their flights are very “Instagram-friendly” – cute and colorful little coffee, hot chocolate, and hot cider flights. However, beware that their hot chocolate is arguably the worst hot chocolate I’ve ever had in my life (think lightly-flavored chocolate water). Avoid. I’ve heard the same goes for the coffee flights.
That being said, I am including Grandpa’s Cellar on my guide because I do think their hot cider flight is actually really delicious! They do also have a selection of baked goods available and their apple cinnamon roll is pretty good. Just know that they are served at room temp (maybe they’ll heat stuff up on request?).
- Vibe: Busy all the time (unless its a rainy day towards the end of the season)
- What to Get: Hot cider flights & apple cinnamon rolls
- When Open: Seasonally on select dates from August – December
- Food On Site?: Baked goods and drinks only
Bottom line: come on a rainy day to avoid long lines and stick to the hot cider!
Abel’s Apple Acres
If you like fudge and candy apples, Abel’s Apple Acres is your spot! Just down the street from one of our all-time favorite farms (Pine-O-Mine), you can come to Abel’s and get chunks of all kinds of flavored fudge. We’ve tried the Caramel Apple Pie (very unique but a little sweet) and their chocolate with nuts (a solid staple and my personal favorite).
They also have a big assortment of caramel apples, like Butterbeer (a nod to Harry Potter fans) and Caramel Apple Pie, which my friend got and was obsessed with. I’ll definitely be adding this spot to our must-stop list every year!
- Vibe: Not super busy – more of a convenience store/gift shop kind of vibe
- What to Get: Caramel apples & fudge
- When Open: Seasonally from Labor Day Weekend to Christmas Eve
- Food On Site?: Bakery items (fudge, caramel applies, pies etc.) plus BBQ from Terri’s
Wine Tasting at Apple Hill
The Apple Hill area is filled with wineries in the El Dorado AVA! This is an aspect of Apple Hill that I’d like to explore more as I’ve only had the pleasure of tasting at one location thus far. Plan your visit ahead of time and pop into a winery or two when you are in the area.
We visited Myka Estates and they have a lovely, peaceful property with plenty of outdoor seating and great wine! They also have a limited menu of seasonal treats from their kitchen. I highly recommend you stop here if wine is on your agenda.
Where to Stay in Apple Hill
My husband and I were fortunate enough to stay at the lovely Eden Vale Inn, a luxury B&B located in Placerville just under a half hour away from the Apple Hill area. This is the most perfect spot in the area for a romantic stay!
It’s a splurge, but it’s a great place to relax and unwind, especially after a day of filling your bellies up with all the Apple Hill goodies. Check out my full review on our stay in this post.
Read More: A Romantic Weekend Getaway at the Eden Vale Inn in Placerville, CA
If you are traveling with a family or children, it would be best to look into a vacation rental or hotel since the Eden Vale is an adults-only property. Here are some cute places I found:
I hope that gives you enough information to plan your next fall trip to Apple Hill in California! If you have anymore questions on visiting the area, please be sure to drop me a comment below.
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