Susan Sutton, director of tourism for El Dorado County, recommends visiting in September, November and December. Apple Hill is a good family outing because children are catered to at ranches like Plubell's Family Orchard and Kids Incorporated, which offer nature trails and games. At Plubell's Family Orchard, children play in the haystacks, pumpkin patch and kids' center. At El Dorado Ranch, they can take train caboose rides and explore the hay maze or horse rides at Abel's Apple Acres. Families don't need to break the bank driving around Apple Hill.
Many families bring picnic lunches and then feast on the array of desserts on the hill.
This is the way it used to be growing up. Edio Delfino knows the story behind the hill. He was one of 25 growers to suggest a name for the area in 1964. Out of about 40 names, the growers agreed on Apple Hill. El Dorado County's agriculture commissionerand was faced with the challenge of reviving the area after a disease ravaged pear crops.