For many, fall couldn’t get here any faster. After all, it’s during this time of year that we can indulge in all of our favorite autumn activities. For example, many people who live near the Sacramento area have probably heard of the place called Apple Hill. This region is home to a plethora of apple farms and orchards, all of which boast their own unique activities like pumpkin patches, train rides, or corn mazes. There’s a reason this place is considered an iconic fall day trip in Northern California. If you have yet to visit this magnificent place, you’ll definitely want to put it near the top of your to-do list this year. Here’s why:
If you ask a Sacramento local about the best place to spend a fall day, it's likely they'll point you toward Apple Hill. This incredible region comes alive during the fall months and it's not to be missed. There's a whole lot to do in this region so be sure to plan enough time to truly appreciate it all.
Located in the foothills surrounding Camino are an endless amount of farms, orchards, and fall activities. It's the picture perfect place to spend a day with the family and you're bound to make some unforgettable memories while you're here. The sheer amount of places to visit can be overwhelming, but with some careful planning you can plan the ideal day trip to Apple Hill.
There are over 50 farms and orchards to explore but each one offers something unique. U-pick fruit, corn mazes, pony rides, donuts...you name it, and you'll find it at Apple Hill! The best part? Most of these wonderful activities are free and the farms are all located within close proximity to each other, making this an easy and cheap way to have some family fun.
We've featured some of the highlights of Apple Hill in this article, but feel free to plan your own route within this iconic region. One thing we do recommend is visiting on a weekday if possible since weekends tend to get extremely crowded, especially during the peak of fall.
One of Apple Hill's most iconic farms is Boa Vista Orchards. This wonderful farm dates back to 1915 and provides a variety of amazing autumn activities for kids and adults to indulge in. Boa Vista is particularly known for their delicious apples, ciders, wine, donuts, and other baked goodies.
On top of offering some mouthwatering eats, they're also home to one of the most picture-worthy pumpkin patchs in Northern California. Open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every day, it's a great place to pick your own pumpkin, snap a picture, and create lasting family memories.
Next, be sure to stop by El Dorado Orchards which has hosted Apple Hill's only train ride for the past 40 years. This quaint train runs continuously throughout the day and takes you right through the beautiful crop-filled countryside.
24Carrot Farm is a popular farm stand that's usually open from April through November. Here you can pick out organic local produce to take home with you and you can even pick your own flower bouquets, cherry tomatoes, apples, and pumpkins (depending on the season).
Another popular destination is Delfino Farms (Kids Inc.). It truly has a little bit of everything for both kids and adults including a corn maze, farm animals, bakery (complete with caramel apples and apple pie), and a lovely Nature Trail.
There's more than enough attractions at Apple Hill to keep you busy for an entire weekend if you wish. It's no wonder this beautiful farm region is a favored fall activity!
Located approximately one hour east of Sacramento and one hour west of South Lake Tahoe, you'll find Apple Hill between Exits 48 and 57. Click here to be taken to a directory of all of the farms.
