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

2620 Carson Rd.

Placerville, CA 95667

Website

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2024 Apple Hill Visitor's Guide 

YELP

Pine-O-Mine Ranch is a top pick of farms that make up the Apple Hill Grower's Association, a collection of 50+ farms that each have something different to offer and attract thousands of fall, apple, and pumpkin patch lovers every fall season in the Placerville/Camino area on Highway 50. 

What makes me favor a specific farm in the area?  If you've visited before during fall, you'll know that some farms are more active than others, specifically those who go out of their way to whip up a good ol' time for their visitors for the pure reason of wanting to share this life, unique area,  and Apple Hill love with everybody.   This may translate into the most delicious baked goods, like caramel apple milkshakes made with fresh pressed cider straight from the orchard, the best heart warming experiences like joyful train rides around a pond reflecting fall colors, and endless food and drink offerings that anchor down the memories and keep everyone coming back for more.  

At Pine-O-Mine, you can expect a charming red barn surrounded by an apple tree orchard, a lovely pumpkin patch, & potentially some vendors & food trucks depending on the time of the season. While it’s on the smaller side, don’t let that fool you. They have a great milkshake trailer, offer a nice hot lunch (not all farms do) and plenty of drink offerings, some frozen pies, and lots of fun atmospheric fall vibes.  Not to mention their fun U-pick apple experience that you can't get just anywhere.  

As a parent, I cherish the opportunity to show my kids where our food comes from and how much effort farmers put into growing real food and helping nourish everyone. Usually, we pick our apples at Denver Dan's (#14), but this year we wanted to try something new, so we headed to Pine-O-Mine. I'm so glad we did.

My kids and I love the thrill of hunting for apples and tasting them upon purchase. There’s just nothing quite like a fresh picked apple so juicy that the juice just runs down your arms. 

The farm offers several popular apple varieties to choose from, including Fuji, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious. You simply grab a bag from the barn and head out to pick your apples, then simply returning to get them weighed and pay for them afterward.

After our apple hunt, we couldn’t resist trying the caramel corn from a nearby tent that we overheard others raving about. It was delicious and reminded me of Cracker Jacks from my childhood. The caramel corn is made by a family-owned business who use their grandma’s recipe.  These kind of recipes are the best - withstanding the test of time & carrying the warmth of family traditions.

Pine-O-Mine also had hot food provided by Brawt Envy, and let me tell you, their sausages were fresh, juicy, and delicious. And the guys who cooked our food were super rad, making the whole experience even more enjoyable.

Before leaving, I knew I couldn't pass up their classic caramel apple milkshake.  I can remember the first time tasting a caramel apple milkshake at High Hill Ranch.  It was life changing.  Caramel Apple Milkshakes are everything during fall.  They're so unique, delicious, addicting, and always get me excited for the season.  Next time, I’m definitely exercise my foodie spirit and snag their Apple Pie Milkshake (yes, they mix an actual piece of pie into the milkshake).  I've heard some great things about them.  

With its beautiful scenery, tasty food, delectable desserts, friendly people, pumpkins patch, U-Pick apple experience, and plenty of photo opportunities, Pine-O-Mine has easily made my list of top farms on the hill.

Notes

-Apple picking is all about timing and weather.  Call ahead to check on availability and the best time to pick apples. The orchard is on the smaller side and can run out of apples quickly, so timing is of the essence. 

-There’s a limited selection of apple goods available for purchase inside the barn, including frozen pies, jerky, alcoholic beverages, apple cider, and nuts.

-Plenty of parking available

-Food trucks & vendors available on certain days & times

-Their pumpkin patch is accessible to all and a great spot for photo shoots

-Picnic tables and porta potties with handwashing stations available

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own. 

Photography

© Katherine Fung,

All Rights Reserved.

Categorized Under Seasonal/Holidays ---> Apple Hill Grower's Association

Andelin Farm- A Charming, U-Pick, Family Owned Farm Providing Lots of Family Fun in the Summer, Fall, & Spring in Sparks, Nevada

8100 Pyramid Way
Sparks, NV 89436

Website | Facebook | Instagram

WAIVER (For Halloween activities.)

Andelin Farm in Sparks is one of those special places visitors and locals alike look forward to every season for their spring, fall, and summer festivals, open to the public since 2010.  Having an authentic farm experience nearby run by a genuinely kind family that have your best interest in mind really makes me feel spoiled to be living here.   Folks, this is not your avg. pop-up farm experience (I've experienced a bit of these in some big cities).  This one comes with homegrown sunflowers, tulips, & pumpkins, farm animals, and experiences like horse riding, gem mining, chick holding, goat feeding, and (stationary) lassoing. 

Like many other families, some of my best & most fondest memories were grown here.  Some include "milking" a cow (more like a splash zone experience from my perspective, LOL), watching my then toddler getting chased by baby goats trying to munch on his sweater for an afternoon snack, and witnessing pure joy as the kids ran up and down the hills for the ziplines a gazillion times each visit. 

Before Andelin Family Farm became a community destination, the land carried generations of agricultural history. Today, the farm is owned and operated by Cameron and Natalie Andelin, whose connection to the property runs deep. Cameron’s parents purchased the farm from the Gaspari family in the early 1980s, but Cameron’s relationship with the land began much earlier through childhood memories, friendships, and time spent exploring the farm. The Gaspari family originally came from Northern Italy and settled in Spanish Springs in 1917, clearing sagebrush, growing alfalfa, and raising cattle with hard work and perseverance. Today, that same farming spirit continues through the Andelin family.

Over the years, the Andelin family has been improving the farm, adding & optimizing experiences for everyone's enjoyment and comfort.  One year, they added a gemstone mining sluice and a chick holding experience, both of which have been hits with my family over time.  They've also been slowly adding in shade tents and places to sit to help with the heat, and even started growing their own sunflowers, pumpkins, & tulips one year for a u-pick experience.  

For those who have never visited the farm, it's a huge fenced in area loaded with tons of activities like zip lining, barrel/hay/train rides, farm animals, a barn store, and so much more.  Pay a flat fee and enjoy most of the activities all day long (pay a little extra for pony rides, gem mining, feed for the animals, and train rides).  Visitors not looking to enter the farm can access the barn store and food  trucks and just hang around without paying admission.  

Several years ago when the housing developments starting forming around the farm, many Andelin fans were on the edge of their seats, wondering what the future would hold. But lo and behold, Andelin Farm is still here, committed to staying open for everyone to enjoy and continuing to be a place where lasting memories are made. I'm forever grateful for their dedication to preserving this special place.

The farm is well kept and thoughtfully run by the Andelin family and their team who genuinely care about making sure everyone has a great time. I had a chat with one of the owners one year and found that her college son came back into town to lend a helping hand on the farm.  For most of their youth, the Andelin children would learn the meaning of true hard work while maintaining the lands throughout the ever changing seasons, welcoming hundreds of guests, and caring for the animals.  I'm happy to hear how they've expressed their gratitude as adults for this upbringing to their parents.  And the team that helps runs the farm is always so welcoming and fun.  The kids and I have had our fair share of precious moments with them (some involve Jiu Jitsu lessons, and rock, paper, and scissor competitions). 

On my family's first visit some years ago, we ended up being one of the last families on the farm (time always flies by on the farm) & realized we hadn’t gone on the hayride yet. We asked one of the staff members if there was any chance we could catch one last ride, and with a smile, he said he'd check for us.

To our surprise, the owner, Cameron, came out with a big smile and was more than happy to take us himself. As we rode around the farm, he shared a little of its history and chatted with us like we were old friends. There's something really special about an owner who takes the time to make sure every guest has a great experience, even as the day is winding down. Cameron's hands on approach is just one of the many things that makes Andelin Farm such a special place.

After all the baby goat feedings, chick cuddles, gem mining, zip lining, u-picking, screaming my way through Corn Creepers, and surviving the zombie apocalypse, I still haven't had enough of Andelin Farm, LOL. Whether it's the fall festivities, holiday magic, interacting with the workers, or the many events throughout the year, there's always something new to experience. Andelin Farm is a beloved gem and one of those rare places that keeps families coming back year after year.  I can't wait to see what new adventures await on our next visit.

Stay on top of early bird promotions by signing up for Andelin Farm's newsletter.  Scroll to the bottom of their homepage to sign up.

2026 Pricing

General Admission: 

Online - $15.56 (Price $14.00 + $1.56 Fee)

2yrs. & younger free

Season Pass:

$47

Included in General Admission: 

-hayride

-ropes course (Buster's Barnyard Challenge)

-basketball hoops

-access to U-Pick pumpkin patch (fall), tulips (spring) & sunflower fields (summer)

-Beeline Mini Ziplines

-barrel train ride

-hamster wheel

 -straw bale maze

-petting zoo (goats, sheep, chickens) (feed available for purchase)

-chick (spring) & kitten (summer) experience 

-duck races (water pumps)

-lasso activity

-pumpkin shooters (fall, w/ slingshots & corn kernels)

-slides 

-kickball enclosure

-tricycle ride

-hay maze

-vegetable garden/play store

-ball maze

Additional Charge:

-pony rides 

-gem mining

-U-Pick tulips (spring), sunflowers (summer), and pumpkins (fall)

SPRING - Baby Animal Days & Tulips Festival

Mid-April to May

*U-pick tulips

*Easter egg hunts and bunny meet & greets

*Mother's Day Buffet

*Calf Cuddling

*lamb/calf feeding

*Goat Yoga

SUMMER - Sunflower Festival

August to September

*U-pick sunflowers

*Kitten holding

*Children's summer camp

FALL - Harvest Festival

Late September to Early November

*Corn Creepers (haunt)

*Zombie Paintball 

*5 acre corn maze (day & night)

*U-pick pumpkins

*Corn Cannon

*Fire pits

Notes:

-Stay on top of hourly weather and plan and dress accordingly.  Hats, sunscreen, and water are musts during summer.

-If you're looking to pick pumpkins, make sure you head out there early to mid October to catch them while they're still on the vine.  

-Access to pre-picked pumpkins & Gourds available to public at barn store without admission

-Jams, soup mixes, pantry items, snacks like kettle corn, sweet caramel nuggets, trail mix, yogurt pretzels, Andelin merchandise like t-shirts, sweaters, hats, jewelry soaps, and more available for sale.

-Frozen pies, croissants, and cinnamon buns available at barn store.

-affordable drinks & ice cream available

-ideal for field trips

-private group tours available

-Great location for events & parties

-The farm is ideal for kiddos, but adults can also have a good time with photo opportunities, u pick activities, petting zoo, and horse rides.  Adults also enjoy visits to the farm during October for the corn maze (daytime & night), corn creepers, & zombie paintball.  Daytime maze comes with a fun farm investigation activity (grab a booklet at check in)

-Don't forget to wear proper footwear as the farm is mainly made up of compact dirt

-ground is solid enough for strollers, wheelchairs, and wagons

*Information subject to change.  All opinion are my own.

Photography

© Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

Categorized under Seasonal/Holidays, U-Pick & Birthday/Event Venues

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

2881 North Canyon Rd.
Camino, CA 95709

INSTAGRAM

More Helpful Links

*Apple Hill Growers Association Website

*Apple Hill's 2025 Visitor's Guide

*Apple Hill's U-Pick Guide

*Official Apple Hill Instagram - for the latest updates and information

One fall,  I was soaking up those cozy autumn vibes, admiring the stunning scenery around me while searching for fun fall activities in Reno. Of course, Google led me straight to what I was looking for.

One of the top suggestions for nearby fall activities was Apple Hill, a collection of 50+ farms nestled in Placerville, CA, offering all types of fall magic from apple picking, to apple milkshake flights and everything you could want and more from a fall experience.  Now this sounded like a type of Disneyland to me - everything I could want for a perfect day out.  I’m a sucker for beautiful views, road trips, farms, random adventures, and all things apple related, so I knew this trip would be an instant win.

As a mom of three, I always like to plan ahead to ensure outings go as smoothly as possible (despite the inherent unpredictablility of parenthood, lol).  I looked up which farms are best for kids, and of course, El Dorado Orchards popped up on Google as a must on that list, offering face painting, delicious apple treats, a craft fair, and a scenic train ride around a pond. 

This farm was the perfect introduction to Apple Hill. I mean... it had a whimsical train that looped around a beautiful pond that was located on a beautiful farm that had all the things. Trains alone are fantastic, but pair them with a view around a pond featuring some fall foliage, and it becomes something else. The ride may not have been as long as I’d hoped, but I still love it and make an effort to return every season because it’s just that special.

Of course, I went all out on my first visit and ended up having the kids get their faces painted, snagged some hot dog meals, enjoyed a 2nd train ride, and brought some apple goods home with me.  If you're on a budget or just love bringing your own food & drinks, you can easily customize your visit to fit your wants and needs.

This charming little farm is tucked away next to the busier and more well known BOA Vista and High Hill Ranch, making it a perfect escape from the crowds.  But feel free to hit them up on the same visit if you're feeling bold and looking to milk Apple Hill of all its magic.

If you’re looking for a place to picnic, relax, shop, enjoy some apple goodies, and get a little dose of whimsy, I can’t recommend a visit El Dorado Orchards enough.

Notes
-Family owned and operated
-Hot dogs and hot sandwiches available for $6-$11
-Train rides were $5/person on my visit
-Small in size but packs a punch with its offerings - craft fair, hot lunch, apple treats, face painting, and train rides available

-The scenery alone keeps me coming back for more 
-They offer pies, brownies, caramel apples, cookies, cider, apple cider milkshakes, and jams, but no donuts.  Head to BOA Vista Orchards just a minute up the road for an awesome variety to choose from.
-Plenty of tables and benches on grassy areas with tall trees providing shade, perfect for picnics
-Restrooms available
-Plenty of parking on site

***Information subject to change.  All opionions are my own. 

Photography

© Katherine Fung,

All Rights Reserved.

Categorized under Seasonal/Holidays ---> 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

Website

Baked Goods Menu

More Helpful Links

*Apple Hill Growers Association Website

*Apple Hill's 2025 Visitor's Guide

*Apple Hill's U-Pick Guide

*Official Apple Hill Instagram - for the latest updates and information

The Apple Hill Growers Association in Placerville and Camino, CA, is a favorite destination during October, known for its 50+ family friendly farms, fresh baked goodies, gorgeous fall scenery, and apple everything. One standout spot among the list is Abel’s Apple Acres. 

This charming farm has a cozy barn packed with pies, pastries, holiday decorations, books, and pantry items, plus hot food options for lunch.  Ables also offers plenty of outdoor fun including a maze, gemstone mining, picnic spots with benches and bug shelters, plenty of photo ops, and a craft fair. Its old-fashioned farm feel, delicious goods, views, & activities make this farm one of my favorites on the hill and keeps me coming back to Apple Hill year after year.

What really makes Abel’s special and stand out from the rest is their huge award worthy caramel apples, especially the apple pie caramel apple - a fresh picked homegrown apple dipped in caramel, white chocolate fudge, and cinnamon sugar. It’s one of those iconic treats that really captures the magic of Apple Hill, alongside their highly sought out apple cider & donuts.

During my latest visit, I planned on taking the kids to a total of three farms but ended up dedicating most of my time at Abel’s since they were having such a great time running around and sampling tons of apple treats.  We snacked on some apple treats while reading our new fall themed books written by local authors, got lost in time, and left with our hands full by the end of the day.  We left with apple donuts, apple pies, caramel apples, & apple empanadas.  If you've been to the hill before, I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say you could never have enough of these goods, especially during the holidays.

For lunch, I ordered a tri-tip sandwich, which was came with thinly sliced meat and onions. It was fresh and lightly seasoned, which worked well with the condiments they had on hand.  The only thing I'd suggest if for them to heat up the meat more and get a nice toast on the bun.  These would make a world of a difference. My kids were happy with their hot dog meal, complete with chips, crackers, a lollipop, and milk. Not every farm on the hill serves hot lunch, so it’s a good idea to check the Apple Hill guide ahead of time if you’re looking for a hot meal on your visit. 

Notes for Visiting Apple Hill
-Best Time to Go: October can get very busy, so visiting on a weekday or as soon as the farms open can help with avoiding the crowds. Late September/early November is also a great option for a quieter experience with minimal crowds, but note that not all attractions may be open at this time.
-Bring a Cooler: If you're coming from out of town, pack a cooler to keep any goodies fresh for the ride home.  Ice available for sale at Boa Vista Orchards.
-Maze: Open on weekends only
-Gemstone Mining: Purchase gemstone mining bags at the registers
-Specialty Caramel Apples:  This farm has the widest selection on the hill to choose from 
-Photo Ops: Have fun snapping pics at the fun photo cutouts around the farm
-Vendors:  Enjoy a variety of vendors on the deck during peak times 

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own. 

Photography

© Katherine Fung,

All Rights Reserved.

Categorized under Apple Hill Grower's Association ---> Seasonal/Holidays