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Insider Family Guide To Apple Hill

By Kelli Wheeler
Apple Hill Growers
Hwy 50, Exits Schnell School, Carson Rd, Camino, Cedar Grove, Pollock Pines
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 644-7692
Hours: most ranches open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: Free admission
Reviews, Directions & More Info
Directory listing

It's not fall until you visit Apple Hill! Whether you're going for the fall bounty of apples, apple cider, apple pie, caramel apples or u-pick apples or the beautiful fall color and landscape, pumpkin patches and fun kid activities you will fall in love with Apple Hill's offerings. With over 50 farms, ranches and orchards in the Camino area's Apple Hill there's sure to be a favorite spot you'll come back to every year.
Apple Hill - Bolster's hilltop Ranch
Photo Credit: Kelli Wheeler

Bolster's Hill Top Ranch (#45)
2000 Larsen Drive
Camino, CA
(530) 644-2230
Season: Daily, Labor Day Weekend to November 10
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nothing says fall like picking your own apples! Choose from nine different varieties at Bolster's including Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith for your pie baking or filling your fruit bowl. Kids will love seeing apple cider made on site and after you sample the fresh, delicious juice you'll be sure to be bringing Apple Hill's signature drink home.

Abel Apple Acres
Photo Credit: Kelli Wheeler

Abel's Apple Acres (#38)
2345 Carson Rd.
Placerville, CA 95709
(530) 626-6521
Season: Daily, Labor Day to Dec. 24
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Get here early for the best hot apple doughnuts! The bakery offers everything from fresh traditional apple pie, fritters, strudel and turnovers to frozen pies (apricot apple!) you can save to reheat for a Thanksgiving dinner. Their country store offers a wide selection of Apple butter, caramel apples, produce and crafts but the kids will love the hay maze, pony rides, candle making and pumpkin patch.

picking apples
(credit: SAJJAD HUSSAIN/Getty Images)

High Hill Ranch (#1)
2901 High Hill Rd.
Placerville, CA 95709
(530) 644-1973
Season: Daily, Labor Day – Dec. 24
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Number one on the map and #1 for most popular spot in Apple Hill. This beautiful cliff-top ranch has an expansive picnic area with panoramic view surrounding a fishing pond. It bustles with people enjoying the festive atmosphere, craft and produce shopping, apple cider tasting, visiting the bakery and nearby Fudge Factory Farm, or taking pony and hay rides. You could spend a whole day here, but don't leave without trying an apple cider shake!

apple
Photo Credit: Jeff T. Green/Getty Images

Boa Vista Orchards (#11)
2952 Carson Rd.
Placerville, CA 95709
(530) 622-5522
Season: Year round
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

One of the busiest spots in all of Apple Hill off the main road, it's worth the stop. It has Apple Hill offers from the extensive bakery of delicious apple desserts to unique and varieties of produce and products at their roadside stand. For those who like to shop also crafts and gifts. If you want to avoid crowds come early or try the weekdays.

Willow Pond Farm
Photo Credit: Kelli Wheeler

Willow Pond Farm (#34)
2731 Jacquier Rd.
Placerville, CA 95709
(530) 295-8090
Season: Daily, except Tues., Sept. to Nov.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Want to get away from the crowds? Pick your own apples at this smaller farm away from the
main traffic that also has organic produce. Kids will enjoy free paddle boating or picnicking on

the pond as they munch their fresh picked apples.

Kids Inc. (#5)
3245 North Canyon Rd.
Camino, CA 95709
(530) 622-0184
Season: Daily, Sept. – Nov., Sat. & Sun. thru Dec. 11
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.Kids will love the u-pick pumpkins, farm animals, crafts, and corn maze. Parents will love the breathtaking view as kids frolic in the picnic area. Delicious treats include caramel apples, apple pies, strudel, turnovers, apple butter, jams, jellies and cider - if you eat too much of it, you can
walk it off on the scenic nature trail!
Directions to Apple Hill from Sacramento:
Hwy 50 east toward South Lake Tahoe From Hwy 50 you can take a number of exits just past Placerville to reach Apple Hill farms. The first exit is Schnell School, left back under the freeway where an Apple Hill Shuttle Bus can be boarded. The Carson Rd. and Camino exits can only be used west back toward Sacramento.
The next exit is Cedar Grove, left back under the freeway. The final exit is Pollock Pines, left back under the freeway. Look for red Apple Hill Growers signs and get a map at any of these locations.
Don't forget to check out our Best Fall Outings For Your Family!
Kelli Wheeler is the author of MOMSERVATIONS® The Fine Print of Parenting, a family columnist and mother of two living in Sacramento. You can read her humorous Momservations blog at www.momservations.com and follow her on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/Momservations.
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