These are four of our favorite farms at Apple Hill! Use this itinerary as a flexible starting point. Each Apple Hill grower sets its own operating schedule, and hours can change throughout the season. Always check current information before finalizing your route.
Head to High Hill Ranch early to beat their large afternoon crowds. Browse seasonal craft vendors, explore boutique shops across the grounds, enjoy live entertainment, and purchase homemade caramel and fudge, apple cider, or bags of apples perfect for baking.
Continue to Grandpa’s Cellar for a coffee flight and a little gift shopping. Every few weeks, this ranch offers new flight flavors to tickle your fancy. There's always something unique on the menu.
Stop at Rainbow Orchards for some of the freshest apple cider on the mountain and an order of what they are most famous for: fried-to-order apple cider donuts dusted in cinnamon sugar.
Finish at Delfino Farms to order one of their famous pies from Joan's Apple Bakery, enjoy weekend events and live music, and taste local wine or hard cider.
Head back down Highway 50, check into your comfortable hotel, and choose a local restaurant for dinner. Keeping your Apple Hill route to three or four stops allows you to return with time left to relax and explore.
Best Times to Visit Apple Hill: An Insider’s Local Guide
Just a quick jaunt from Rancho Cordova up Highway 50, discover abundant orchards, farms, vineyards, and ranches in Apple Hill.
Where to Get Your Christmas Tree in Apple Hill
Holiday joy abounds in Rancho Cordova and nearby Gold Country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple Hill is approximately a 40-minute drive from Rancho Cordova via Highway 50 under typical conditions. Allow additional time for tourism traffic and travel between farms.
It depends on how much energy you have! The sky is the limit, but we'd recommend three or four stops for a comfortable day-trip pace. Choose farms that have offerings that match your interests (i.e., foodie menus, u-pick apples, or live events) rather than trying to see as many as possible.
September and October offer the classic apple harvest experience, along with the largest crowds. November can be a good option for fall color, holiday baked goods, and a quieter visit. A few ranches and Christmas tree farms are open until mid-December.
Some Apple Hill wineries, cideries, and farms operate in late Spring and Summer, while many orchards, bake shops and seasonal attractions open primarily during autumn harvest season. Most ranches close for the winter starting in mid-December. We highly encourage checking the Apple Hill Growers Association website before you go.
Rancho Cordova offers a variety of hotel options with convenient Highway 50 access, along with restaurants and additional activities that can turn an Apple Hill day trip into a complete fall getaway. Find the perfect hotel for your family.
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