As the cool crisp air of fall arises, I long for the New England tradition of apple picking and everything else apple related. Here in the Bay Area, one of the best options is to head east on Highway 50 toward Lake Tahoe to an area known as Apple Hill, located in Camino, Placeville and Pollock Pines California. Originally an association of 16 ranches, Apple Hill is now comprised of over 50 ranches with christmas tree growers, wineries, a micro-brewery and spas. Many of the ranches are only open from Labor Day through Chrismas Eve. Kid friendly, one can pick apples, go for a hay ride, attend many of the festivals, pick pumkins or chop down a christmas tree. Of course, the main attractions of the area are Apple Cider, Cider Doughnuts, streudels, pies, dumplings and turnovers.
While up there, if your timing is good, you can get some decent landscape shots. Rolling farmland hills can be found almost anywhere along with fall harvest (Halloween and Thanksgiving) types of decorations. Pumkin patches, hay mazes, horse rides, petting zoos and other venues can keep the kids content.
For more shots of the area, see my gallery at: http://cchinstudios.zenfolio.com/applehill2010
For more information on Apple Hill, go to the Apple Hill Grower’s website at: http://www.applehill.com