This past weekend I took the trek up to Apple Hill, an area outside of Camino, CA that has a dozen or more Apple Orchards within a 12 mile radius. About a hour east of Sacramento.
For those that truly love FALL, this is the place to go to get your fill of Apple Cider, Apple Crisp, turnovers and much more including October when the Pumpkin Patches around the area begin to open up too.
A few highlights that truly stood out were:
1) Rainbow Orchards Apple Cider Donuts
If there was one orchard I’d recommend stopping in first, it’d be Rainbow Orchards to get a dozen of their Apple Cider Donuts to start your day off right. These are an Apple Hill delicacy and favorite for locals. You can also purchase apple crisp, apple cider, and slices of pie in their bakeshop as you watch through the windows on how they make fresh apple cider.
2) Barn Animals at Apple Ridge Farms
One Apple Orchard that had a bit of everything going on was Apple Ridge Farms. A place for BBQ, along with booths of vendors selling their goods along with their outdoor petting zoo area where you could hand feed the goats and a booth dedicated to face painting.
3) Wine Tasting and More
Apple Hill has a variety of Wineries to stop in for a tasting or two. I enjoyed trying Boa Vista’s Apple Wines at the Boa Vista Orchards stand along with a hard cider tasting at Jack Russell Farm Brewery.
A few recommended include:
Madrona Vineyards (right next to the Fudge Factory!)
Para Vi Vineyards
Jack Russell Farm Brewery (Beer, Wine and Hard Cider!)
Lava Cap Winery
Boeger Winery
Fenton Herriott Vineyards
4) Check out the Country Store at Grandpa’s Cellars
One of my favorite places for shopping was none other than Grandpa’s Cellars, and you may just happen to notice the for sale sign on the property this year. Own a little piece of your own Apple Hill Property.
The Country Store had tons of Jams, Jellies, Syrups and mixes to try out including their famous Apple Cinnamon Syrup that is to die for (trust me!) The best part is knowing you can order from them directly right online at Grandpa’s Cellars.
5) Check out the Garden Attractions at Bill’s Apples/Felice’s Dolls
Enjoy walking through their shop as you look over Felice’s Dolls, and into the backyard where there’s everything for your backyard plus they have a lot of fun photo ops throughout the place to partake in.
In the end, when spending a day in Apple Hill, it’s about stopping with what catches your eye and to enjoy everything APPLE in the months ahead. You’re guaranteed to have a GREAT time as you enjoy your apple treats throughout the day.
Apple Hill is VERY kid friendly with barn animals, train rides, hay rides, and much more happening throughout the various orchards in the area. Plan your day ahead of time, and be forewarned, it gets VERY VERY busy come October.
But EVERY bite is truly worth it. The Apple Rhubarb Pie from Bodhaine Ranch. Be sure to grab an Apple Hill guide at the various orchards around Apple Hill. The guide is very helpful in keeping you on track and also maps which will be needed.
There is also an Apple Hill App for your phone that is compatible with both Iphone and Android Phones.
