Pine-O-Mine Ranch #41 A Small but Charming U-Pick Apple Farm

2620 Carson Rd.

Placerville, CA 95667

Directions

(530) 344-2112

Website

Instagram

My Apple Hill Grower's Association List of Farms

More Reviews and Photos on Yelp

Pine-O-Mine Ranch is among a collection of 50+ farms that make up the Apple Hill Grower's Association- A destination visited by thousands of apple lovers every Fall.

When visiting the hill, apple picking is always on the list of things to do.  Me and my kids thoroughly enjoy hunting for and tasting apples.  Nothing is as juicy as a fresh-picked apple and in most cases, apples at the grocery will never compare. When biting into fresh-picked apples, it is so fresh that apple juice trickles down your arms.  These apples, along with all the other apples on the hill, are notorious for making some of the best apple cider ever.

In addition to the freshest apples, I love showing the kids where our food comes from and how much work farmers put into nourishing people.  

Usually, we love to pick our apples at Denver Dan's #14, but this year we were looking for a new experience.  That's when we came to Pine-O-Mine.  

If you're a parent like me, you'll love Pine-O-Mine because it's a fun-yet-educational place to take the family.

We entered the farm and drove a little way down before we were met with a bright red barn lined with apple trees and a pumpkin patch.  If you've visited High Hill Ranch, this farm will be small in comparison, but don't be fooled: it has a lot of charm.

The farm has several of the most popular varieties of apples to pick from- Fuji, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious & Red Delicious.  You grab a bag from the barn and return to get them weighed after you've picked your apples. 

After a fun time hunting for apples, me and my family grabbed a bag of caramel corn from the tent that we overhead people raving about.  The caramel corn was delicious and kind of took me back to my childhood, reminding me of Cracker Jacks.  Not only was the caramel corn delicious, it was sold by passionate people from a family-owned business inspired by their grandma's recipe.

The farm also has hot food brought to you by Brawt Envy.  Their sausages were fresh, juicy, and delicious.  The guys that made our food were down to earth and made our experience much more enjoyable.  

In accompaniment, we had the mandatory caramel apple milkshake, which never fails.  Next time I have to get the Apple Pie Milkshake, which is an apple milkshake with a piece of pie added in.  A worker told me how good it was and I was sold at that moment.

The farm has great scenery, food, dessert, nice people, pumpkins, U-Pick apples, photo opportunities, scenery and a great and relaxing environment.  From now on, it will be added to our list of farms to visit during our trips to Apple Hill. 

Notes: 

-Apple Picking is all about timing and weather.  Call the farm to inquire about availability and best time to pick apples.  Their orchard is on the smaller side and can run out after some time.

-Masks and safety enforced 

-Limited selection of apple goods inside barn.  Frozen pies, jerky, alcoholic beverages, apple cider & nuts available for purchase.

-plenty of parking available

-various food trucks available depending on availability

-cute pumpkin patch

-great place for photo shoots

-limited picnic tables 

-Porta Potties and hand washing station available 

-If you drive all the way to the barn, there might be parking available, depending on how busy it is

Categorized Under "Apple Hill Grower's Association and Seasonal/Holidays"

El Dorado Orchards - Beat the Crowds, Have a Picnic, and Take A Scenic Train Ride

2881 North Canyon Rd.
Camino, CA 95709

Directions

(530) 642-1222

*Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for the Fall Season 

*Open the day after Thanksgiving every Friday, Saturday & Sunday for U-Pick Christmas Trees

*Call to double check hours

Website

More Pictures and Reviews on Yelp

Apple Hill Visitor's Guide

My Tips and List of Farms on the Hill

When I first moved to Reno five years ago, it didn't take long to learn about Reno's passion toward living and celebrating the seasons and holidays.  

It was fall some years ago and I was feeling the fall vibes, admiring the majestic scenery all around and found myself searching for things to do during the fall in Reno.  Sure enough, Google knew exactly what I was looking for and steered me in the right direction.

Along with many other suggestions came Apple Hill (2 hr scenic drive from Reno).  Apple Hill, a collection of 50+ farms in Placerville, CA, was a place that sounded like Disneyland to me, having all the elements needed for a good time.  

I'm a sucker for scenery, road trips, farms, and apple goods- all of which I would be getting if I chose to embark on this trip.  I took the leap hoping to create some long-lasting memories and traditions for me and my family.  

Being a mother of three, I always do as much planning as I can ahead of time to make trips run smoothly.  I researched which farms were ideal for kids.  El Dorado came up as one of the many, offering face paint, apple goods, a craft fair, and a scenic train ride.

El Dorado did not disappoint.  On our first visit, my kids got face paint from a nice young lady and took a scenic train ride around two ponds lined with beautiful fall foliage.  Although the train ride was not as long as the family hoped for it to be, we still ride it every season because it is just that special.

The small-yet-quaint farm is right next to two of the busiest farms- BOA Vista and  High Hill Ranch- and is nestled away from the crowds.  If you're looking for an ideal spot for having a picnic, a fun place to relax while still being able to shop, and some apple goods to enjoy, I'd highly recommend El Dorado Orchards.  

Notes:

-Family Owned 

-Hot Dogs and Hot Sandwiches with chips $6-$11

-Train rides currently $5

-El Dorado is a small farm but it packs a punch. It has a craft fair, hot lunch, apple goods, face paint, and train ride.

-The scenery alone can keep me coming back for more  

-pies, brownies, caramel apples, cookies, cider, apple cider milkshakes, & jams and butters available but no donuts.  Visit BOA Vista Orchards, a min away up the street for some delicious apple goods, including donuts and fritters. 

-plenty of tables and benches on grass with tall trees for shade. Ideal for picnics.

-restrooms available

-Plenty of parking 

"Categorized under Seasonal/Holidays and Apple Hill Grower's Association"

Abel's Apple Acres #38- Acres of Family Fun and Apple Goods

2345 Carson Road P.O. Box 2204
Placerville, California, 95667

Directions

(530) 626-0138

Website

Menu

Apple Hill Map & Farm Guide

A Little About Apple Hill

If you don't already know, Apple Hill Grower's Association is a popular destination in Placerville and Camino, CA, during October.  Among the collection of farms that bring lots of family fun, fresh baked goods, and beautiful scenery, is Abel's Apple Acres.  

Abel's has it all-a cute barn filled with pies, pastries and sweets, holiday decorations, books, pantry items, hot food for lunch, maze, gemstone mining, benches and bug shelters for picnics, craft fair, pony rides (currently closed due to Covid) and tranquility.

The farm brings on a quaint farm feel that provides a tranquil and scenic environment and is enough to keep me coming back to Apple Hill time and time again; but extra experiences like being able to eat award-winning caramel apples, finding your way through mazes, and gemstone mining for treasure bring that experience much further to the point of wanting to make new traditions.  

For the latest visit, I planned on visiting three farms with my kids, but only ended up going to two, since the kids were having so much fun relaxing, running around and munching on apple goods.  Abel's (along with many other farms on the hill) lends itself to good old fashion fun.

Their goods are honestly fresh and delicious.  We tried an apple donut, a slice of apple pie, a caramel apple, and an apple empanada.  They were so good that my kids kept on giving me a thumbs up with each and every bite.  Let's just say that we left the barn with our hands full.  Wouldn't want to leave home without some of this apple magic. 

If you want to know a secret, their apple pie caramel apples were so delicious that they deserve an award.  You must try them!!!  They are fresh-picked apples dipped in delicious caramel, white chocolate fudge, and cinnamon sugar.  If there's something to represent all that the hill has to offer, this would definitely be one of them along with apple cider and apple donuts.  

For hot foods, I got the tri tip sandwich with onions, which was loaded with lots of meat.  It was fresh and under-seasoned.  I'm guessing they do that intentionally so that their customers can adjust to their taste.  They make that easy with the condiments they supply.   

My kids were also happy with their hot dog meal that came with a side of chips (potato salad available), crackers, lollipop, and milk.  Not all farms on the hill serve hot lunch, so don't forget to check the Apple Hill guide to explore your options.

Notes:

-It gets crazy busy during October, so visiting on the weekdays and/or right when they open is ideal to maximize fun without too much wait.  Alternatively, visiting late September is great since crowds are absent

-Don't forget to bring a mask. Hand Sanitizer and handwashing stations available
-If you're traveling from out of town, you might want to bring a cooler to haul some goodies back home
-Masks are required inside the barn (which is well ventilated, with big open doors) and whenever you cannot maintain a distance of 6 ft.
-Maze is open during weekends only
-Purchase ggemstonemining bags at check out near caramel apples
-Holiday decorations available
-The only farm with specialty caramel apples
-Pony rides currently closed due to the pandemic
-Lots of cutouts available for photo opportunities

-Click HERE for Apple Hill's U-Pick Guide 

-Vendors available

-Veggie burger available

Categorized under "Apple Hill Grower's Association and Seasonal/Holiday"