It is time for my annual Apple Hill post. This year we chose to go during the week and more specifically during Fall Break for the girls. That way we could avoid the crowds and find parking. We went last Wednesday and while that was a good day overall, I think we may go on Thursday or Friday next year as two of the places I had in mind were closed and were only open Thursday through Sunday.
If you don't know about Apple Hill, let me tell you a little bit about it. Apple Hill is located in Camino, California. It is a bunch of apple/berry growers along with some Christmas tree farms, breweries and wineries mixed in. There are a ton of stops you can make, but since we ever only go for a day, we usually hit up 5 to 7 places. I do want to go back for a weekend away and hit the wineries and breweries more.
We first went to
Boa Vista Orchards. This is one that we go to every year. They have apples of all kinds, pumpkins, other squashes, jarred goods, wine, beer, cider, a bakery, a bbq set-up and crafts. This is always a popular one, so we usually head there earlier in the day.
This year we came looking for our favorite pickles and jam. We also scoped out their pumpkins, but felt like we wanted to get some from a place that you could pick them (a pumpkin patch).
We headed through the crafts and the girls spotted a face painting booth. They got their faces painted here last year and they wanted them again. They chose the same thing, even though we suggested they get something different.
Then we grabbed two slices of pie, one classic apple and one sour cream blackberry apple pie, and ate those while people watching.
Since it wasn't as busy as it normally was, we were out of there pretty quickly. Then we headed over to
High Hill Ranch which is another favorite. This is a giant craft fair with a bakery and fudge shop sprinkled in. They also have a pond where you can fish at and on the weekends they have some farm animals out.
We immediately got our pies and then took them back to the car. After that, we walked over to the fudge shop and got some fudge (mint and divinity). Then we headed over to the wine/beer garden and got an apple beer (for Rory) and an apple and pomegranate cider (for me). We sat down and Rory took a work phone call at that time. I talked with the girls about the other places we would be going.
Then we went to all the craft booths. We ended up buying a ceramic sponge holder for the kitchen since ours was getting old and gross.
Next, we headed over to
Rainbow Orchards to grab ourselves some apple cider donuts. Usually this line to get into the orchard is insane and then the line to get donuts and other goodies is crazy too. But not last Wednesday. I think there were a total of 10 cars there.
We parked, went to the barn, and the girls picked some small pumpkins for the house. Then we went to the bakery and purchased a half dozen apple cider donuts and a corn dog for the girls. They were already hungry again.
Then we sat in the orchard and enjoyed our donuts. They were still hot, fresh and covered in cinnamon and sugar.
After we were done with our donuts and corn dog, we headed over to the
Jack Russell Farm Brewery to relax and have a beer. This allows the girls to run around and play and for us to sit, relax and people watch. The brewery wasn't too crowded, but it was definitely a favorite of peoples.
Rory and I enjoyed a blueberry beer each and then got a crowler (can growler) of the blueberry beer and a peach cider crowler to go.
Next, we headed to
Bodhaine Ranch for apple pies (whole apple pies), but they were closed and doing some renovations. So we went across the street to
Grandpa's Cellar for pies, and they were closed as well.
So then we headed across the street again to
O'Halloran's Apple Trail Ranch for some pumpkins. This place has a pumpkin patch, so we were able to pick out our pumpkins for carving. Plus we got a few Cinderella pumpkins for decorations outside as our pumpkins did not grow this year. Ugh.
This doesn't even show a quarter of the pumpkin patch.
We almost went back to get more apple pies at another place, but my parents went last weekend and we asked them to get us one since the places we were going to go are open on weekends.
And that concludes our Apple Hill trip of 2021.
I definitely recommend going on a weekday, but a Thursday or Friday is best, so that most places are open. Weekends are obviously the best for everything being open, but crowds. And it gets very crowded in Apple Hill on weekends.
And I will leave you with this because it is so true. But it isn't as fun when you just get them from the grocery store.
I would love to visit this area!
ReplyDeleteIt is so much fun. We love going each year. Do you have something like it?
DeleteWhat an awesome area to have nearby! All the Fall fun! xo, Biana BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteIt is so much fun. It is only about a 2 hour drive from us and so worth it!
DeleteYou know I would love it here! And y’all look so cute!
ReplyDeleteIt is so much fun there. And yes, I know you would!!!
DeleteThey taste so much better fresh too! We always buy our apples from the local orchard until they shut down near Thanksgiving time.
ReplyDeleteI so agree. Way better fresh. I should buy more apples while I can. Thank you for the reminder.
DeleteLol at that text at the bottom. We weren't able to go apple picking this year and it made me sad. There was a late frost in the spring that ruined a lot of the apple crops at the orchards in North GA, so they ended apple picking early. Apparently they did have apple picking one of the days we were up there, but they basically said GOOD LUCK FINDING ANY so we decided not to even bother. Haha. I'm so glad y'all had a good time. Those apple cider donuts look amazing!
ReplyDeleteRight? I had to laugh at that because it is so true. That really sucks about the late frost, but it happens a lot here too. We have a crab apple tree and it happened to ours. We did have a great time and apple cider donuts are a must try at least once!
DeleteThe girls in their boots - just adorable
ReplyDeleteMMM... best donuts of the year right there
Thank you. They love those boots so much. They are the best donuts for sure. I even had two in a row which never happens.
DeleteLOLOLOL you're already in a flannel on a ladder with a bucket. Sounds like you guys had a good trip! I love all the pies, donuts and goodies this time of year. I hate when places are closed during the week. I get it, they need time off, but also, I like going when places aren't jam packed haha.
ReplyDeleteHahaha that is so true. We had a great time. I love this trip and look forward to it every year. I do wish they were open more days at least in October. I get limiting it in August and September, but you only get so many days in October.
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