I get it, Google says FALL starts September 22, and today is definitely not quite that... But we are THIS close! THIS close to the day where daytime and nighttime are basically equal...which as cool as that is, is totally not why I'm so excited. I don't know about you, but fall is not only about the changing of seasons (anyone else over this 100+ weather!?). It is the first sign that the holidays are nearing, pumpkin everything is everywhere, chili is the absolute bowl of comfort, the grape vines begin to change colors and red wine is so IN! AND last but certainly not least, Apple Hill is OPEN for REAL - All the pies, fritters, donuts, and ciders you could possibly imagine! I cannot actually start my FALL until a trip to Apple Hill is complete (obviously :)).
Now, to be completely honest, I tried to will fall to start early this year (because, let's be real, 2020 y'all). My first Apple Hill trip was actually in the middle of August... Eeeek! I know, judge away. Typically I would be first in line to judge my fall loving self for being so preemptive and not soaking in the last few weeks of summer. But seriously, 2020 has been one hell of a ride! So, here I am, eating apple fritters the size of my face and loving life!
Apple Hill is located along highway 50 in the Placerville region. It sits right in between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe and is the perfect place to stop on any road trip up to the mountains. There are 40+ destinations in Apple Hill - which is seriously so many! There are wineries, apple farms, bakeshops, tree farms, berry farms, and even bed and breakfast lodging. Be sure to check them all out HERE. Every single stop screams FALL in smell, ambiance, and of course, taste! A few of my all time favorites are highlighted below.
High Hill Ranch: It's the #1 destination on the map, largest, and most visited farm in Apple Hill. It has everything from crafts, to pies, fishing, lunch, and even pony rides. It is always crowded! If you plan to stop here, come early - like when it opens early (9am weekday/ 7am weekend). Seriously, just GET UP, promise it will be worth it! We always love starting our Apple Hill trips here with apple crumb donuts and apple fritters for breakfast. Be sure to grab the donuts and fritters from the barn and have a seat overlooking the pond and the ever growing crowds of people. What better way to start your day than with a serious sugar rush!
Apple Crumb Donut: Cake donut lovers get in line to get a box! The donuts are filled with apple chunks and cinnamon swirls. The topping is the perfect mix of sweet and crunch to make you come back for more. The donuts are made fresh daily - you can literally see them being made as you order them. Each bite is lusciously squishy without being overly dense (I mean, all cake donuts are dense by nature). We typically buy a box and re-heat any leftovers for dessert later that night (microwave + toaster oven). If for some reason, crumb isn't your jam, there's also plain, glaze, chocolate, and sprinkle.
Apple Fritter: Literally the size of my face. No joke. Biggest fritter EVER! Typically I find fritters to be overly sweet with all that icing. However, these fritters are so thick and fluffy with heaping chunks of apples that the sweetness is perfect. The apple chunks retain just a bit of their bite creating a great balance of textures in the fritter. I love the way the fritter pulls apart; you can see all the cinnamon streaks, clean cut chunks of apples, and the overall pillowy stature of this mighty fine fritter. A sugar rush is inevitable after downing a fritter of this size and a donut (or two). But, there's a lot of places left to see, so chow down and let's go to the next stop!
Rainbow Orchards: You literally cannot miss this place! The barn is painted with a giant vibrant rainbow that you can't help but smile at. They always have a fresh selection of fall squash in additional to bins filled to the brim with apples. I've seen this place equally as crowded as High Hill, so we always stop here next to minimize our line time. One time, the line literally looped around in the barn and back out to the farming equipment - Don't make this mistake! Rainbow Orchards is known for their famous HOT APPLE CIDER DONUTS that are almost bite size but pack a mighty punch of tasty goodness! These donuts pair perfectly with their apple cider.
Hot Apple Cider Donuts: I know what you're thinking, what in the world is a Hot Apple Cider Donut?! Never once seen them on any other donut menu - and trust me, I have seen my fair share of donut menus. #donutlover Literally they are the cutest donuts you'll eat all day! They're light, fluffy, and generously covered in cinnamon sugar. Close your eyes, and there is a strange resemblance of the sensation of sipping down hot apple cider. I can't explain it, but it's AMAZING! I usually order them by the half dozen+ for myself... they disappear real fast! They're basically 2 bite size and addicting as can be.
Apple Cider: By far, my favorite apple cider in all of Apple Hill. Now, have I tried EVERY single stop with cider? At one point, yes, but to be fair I know more farms have popped up since. But what's great about this cider is the balance. Sometimes apple cider leaves you reaching for water because it is so ridiculously sweet. Other times, it leaves you smacking your lips from an unexplainable tartness. And I've even had a few that left a lingering dryness on my tongue. This cider, does NONE of that. It is sweet, as apple cider should be, but with a very subtle tartness, similar to biting into a fresh crisp apple. I always make sure to grab a jug on my way out with a bag of hot apple cider donuts.
Boeger Winery: Known for the Barbera, and rightfully so, it's an absolute gem at a total steal of a deal ($19-$21)! The winery has the cutest picnic area and is totally dog friendly. Pours are generous and there are plenty of selections for any palette - from pinot gris, chardonnay, zinfandel, all the way to tempranillo. Inside there's a selection of meats and cheeses to make your own charcuterie while you cheers to the weekend. It's the perfect place to stop for your donuts to digest and make room for dessert.
Delfino Farms: Tucked away through the windy roads around Apple Hill you'll find Delfino Farms. It's a beautiful farm that sits above a vineyard and corn maze (open on weekends). Serving its famous Walkin' Pies, hard cider, and recently added Edio Vineyards tasting room that overlooks the vineyard. Joan's Apple Bakery offers pies by the slice as well as whole pies and frozen pies. Walking in to the bakery you're met with a rush of cinnamon apple goodness and a scene of pie tins piled high with perfectly baked apples ready to be crusted. I always show up for a big slice of French Apple Pie a la mode (of course!).
French Apple Pie: Extra flakey buttery crust topped with generous amounts of warm cinnamon baked apples that are cooked to perfection. The slice is topped with a sugar butter crumble that when combined with the cinnamon apples and hint of salt in the crust make for an irresistible treat. Add on a hefty scoop of French vanilla ice cream and life cannot get any better! No trip to Apple hill can be complete without at least one piece of apple pie.
These were just a few of my favorite, must have stops in Apple Hill - But there are plenty more stops to make, donuts to eat, pie slices to devour, fritters to drool over, frozen pies to take home for the holidays, and ciders and wines to enjoy with a view. Many of these stops also feature apple picking, caramel apples, weekend BBQ, chocolate/ candies/ sweets, turnovers, crisps, and jellies/ jams. Apple Hill is the absolute essence of fall - from food, to drinks, to the view, it's the perfect getaway to enjoy fall at it's finest. Happy FALL Y'all!
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