The moment Sacramento heat breaks in September, one destination starts showing up in every local group chat: Apple Hill. This cluster of family farms tucked into the Sierra Nevada foothills about 45 miles east of the city has been drawing Sacramento families for decades, and fall 2026 is shaping up to be as good as any. Fresh apples, hard cider, warm donuts straight from the fryer, and hillside views that look nothing like the valley floor — it’s one of the best day trips Sacramento has to offer.
What Apple Hill Actually Is
Apple Hill refers to a loose geographic region centered around Camino and Placerville in El Dorado County. The Apple Hill Growers Association represents more than 50 farms, ranches, wineries, and orchards spread across the area — everything from multi-generational apple farms to craft breweries to Christmas tree operations. Most apple farms open around Labor Day and run through December; the wineries are open year-round. You don’t buy a ticket to “Apple Hill” — you just drive up and stop wherever looks good.
Getting there is easy: take US-50 east out of Sacramento toward South Lake Tahoe, exit at Camino Road (exit 40), and within a few minutes you’re in orchard country. Plan for 45 to 60 minutes depending on where in Sacramento you’re starting.
Four Farms Worth Making the Drive For
Rainbow Orchards
If one thing defines the Apple Hill experience for regulars, it’s the hot apple cider donuts at Rainbow Orchards. The orchard has been family-owned since 1977 and turns out warm, cinnamon-sugared donuts that justify the line on their own. Beyond donuts, the stand stocks fresh apples, pears, pumpkins, seasonal vegetables, homemade pies, and hard cider from their on-site mill. On weekends, there’s tri-tip BBQ and wine and hard cider tastings. The orchard is at 2569 Larsen Drive in Camino.
- Fall hours (Sept 5–Oct 31): Mon–Fri 9am–4pm; Sat–Sun 9am–5pm
- November hours (Nov 1–29): Mon–Fri 10am–4pm; Sat–Sun 9am–4pm
- Phone: (530) 644-1594
High Hill Ranch
High Hill Ranch is one of the most established stops on the hill, open since 1960. The baked goods program is serious: homemade apple pies, fresh apple donuts, and savory apple fritters are all made on-site. The ranch also pours hard apple cider and wine. What sets it apart from other stops is the craft fair — more than 60 artists and makers selling handmade goods on-site throughout the season. There’s also fishing, hayrides, pony rides, and face painting if kids are in tow. Located at 2901 High Hill Road in Placerville.
- Season: August 15 through December 24
- Hours: Daily 9am–5pm
- Phone: (530) 644-1973
Larsen Apple Barn & Bakeshop
Larsen bills itself as the longest family-owned Apple Hill farm, and the property backs up the claim with a family museum open during apple season and a picturesque park with waterfalls, historic apple trees, and wooden bridges. The fruit selection runs to more than 20 apple varieties along with pears, grapes, and dried fruits. The bakeshop turns out pies, turnovers, and apple dumplings; there’s also a deli for lunch. One quirk to know: Larsen is closed on Saturdays. Find it at 2461 Larsen Drive in Camino.
- Season: August 30 through November 29
- Hours: Sun–Fri 9am–5pm (closed Saturdays)
- Phone: (530) 644-1415
Jack Russell Farm & Brewery
For the crowd that wants craft beer with their orchard views, Jack Russell is the stop. The 11-acre farm produces hand-crafted ales, lagers, and hard ciders — including hard cider slushies that disappear fast on warm October afternoons — along with meads and small-batch roasted coffee. The beer garden and grassy picnic area overlook a llama field, and on many weekends there’s live music. The hops they grow on-site (Cascade, Chinook, and Columbus varieties) go into special releases available only at the brewery. Open daily April through December at 2380 Larsen Drive, Camino.
- Hours: Open daily (check jackrussellbrewery.com for current times)
- Phone: (530) 647-6222
Practical Tips for the Trip
October weekends — especially Columbus Day weekend — are the busiest stretch of the season. Parking near the popular farms along Larsen Drive can back up significantly by mid-morning. Arriving by 9am gets you ahead of the crowds and gives you first pick of whatever just came out of the oven. If you go on a weekday, you’ll find shorter lines and an easier pace.
Cash is useful at smaller farms but most operations now accept cards. Many farms are dog-friendly — Rainbow Orchards explicitly is — but call ahead if you’re bringing a larger dog on a crowded weekend. Cell service thins out the higher you go, so download a map of the Camino/Placerville area before you leave the valley.
The Details
- Location: Camino and Placerville, El Dorado County (exit Camino Road from US-50)
- Distance from Sacramento: ~45 miles, about 50–60 minutes
- Season: Labor Day through December for most farms
- Admission: Free to visit farms; pay for what you buy
- Peak crowds: October weekends, especially Columbus Day weekend
- Best day to go: Weekday mornings in October
- Full grower list: applehill.com
Bottom Line
Apple Hill is one of those Sacramento-area traditions that earns its reputation every year. The farms are spread across a real working agricultural landscape, the food is made on-site, and the drive out US-50 is pleasant enough that the trip feels like a proper escape rather than a grocery errand. If you haven’t made the drive in a few years — or ever — fall 2026 is a fine time to go.
Looking for more ways to spend fall in the region? Check out The Best Fall Festivals and Markets In Sacramento or browse 7 Spectacular Escapes Less Than 2 Hours from Sacramento for more day-trip ideas. And if wine country is more your speed this time of year, The Best Wineries Near Sacramento for Holiday Tastings is a good read.
