With Halloween almost behind us, now is the time to head up to the Hill. Apple Hill, that is.

Sure, the Sacramento crowds are at an all-time high when families head up Highway 50 to pick out the best pumpkin, and as a result, parking is a challenge, lines are long and traffic is thick.

While November still brings good crowds (let’s not forget pumpkin pie), the air and the apples are crisper and the parking not as tricky as it is right before Halloween-time.

Cinnamon tends to scent the air among many of the stops, making you crave the yummy baked goods that are at virtually every stop. There is every kind of apple one might imagine, and plenty of other things to eat and drink.

Having four children, I don’t think there was ever a fall, in at least ten years, when we skipped the familiar trip to Apple Hill.

“Dad” and I would feast on fudge from High Hill, while the kids found apple fritters and caramel covered apples the treat of the day.

We tasted apple wine (yum!) and shopped the many craft stands. In fact, I’ve always gotten a lot of Christmas shopping done in them there hills! As a collector of all things rustic, I’ve purchased amazing metal work, handmade candles and candle-holders, and plenty of holiday ornaments.

The ride up 50 in the fall is fine, especially on a clear and crisp day. The air is fresh and the pine trees welcoming. Just a hop and a skip away, and you are transported to a country-living menagerie of apple orchards, open-barns, pumpkin bins, baked goods, and a myriad of music and crafts.

According to the Apple Hill Growers Association, it was once a “fledgling association comprised of 16 original ranches. Today it boasts more than 50 ranches including Christmas tree growers, wineries, a micro-brewery, spa and vineyards.”

While there are some great little “apple maps” you can pick up at just about any stop, here a few of the ones we’ve found most notable over the years, for all-around family fun:

High Hill Ranch. This was always the kids’ favorite. It features a large trout pond that guarantees a catch, indoor and outdoor shopping for crafts that range from the home-made to the high-art, a candy shop, wine tasting, baked goods and a whole lot of food and fun. This is a great choice for picnics and shopping sprees!

Boa Vista Orchards. This is the one we usually pick for a paid lunch. Their walk-up window diner and inside-bakery are tough to beat. Something about eating a tri-tip sandwich while shopping the outdoor display of all that fresh produce just works for me! There’s often vendors showing off their crafts, and a gourmet food shop inside the big barn. I get everything from fancy mustards to apple juice and wasabi peas at that place. Plus, they have killer apple fritters!

Jack Russell Farm Brewery Okay, so it’s not an apple ranch, but hey, parents gotta have fun too! Actually the Jack Russell Brewery features craft vendors, food sampling and a picnic area. Oh, of course they have some great beer, too! It seems like every time we visit, someone has a Jack Russell on the grounds, which makes it even more fun.

All in all, Apple Hill has too many ranches to name (50!), so you’ll have to explore them all for yourself. Don’t forget that there is wine tasting, Christmas tree farms, pumpkin patches and ranches that cater to younger kids. The landscape is picturesque and the ranch owners ever-so-eager to have you sample their wares.


Sources:

Apple Hill Growers Association (http://www.applehill.com/ ) retrieved 10-24-09.

Placer Info (http://www.placerville.info/Apple_Hill) retrieved 10-24-09