Christmas in Apple Hill - Top Things To Do in Apple Hill During the Holiday Season — Indian Rock Tree Farm in Apple Hill.

Apple Hill is essentially an outdoor playground for families, with numerous farms that welcome visitors. While Apple Hill is known for its apple picking in the fall season, there is also plenty to do during the months of Thanksgiving and Christmas. This scenic area of Northern California is not just about apple orchards. Here you can taste fine wines from local wineries, attend unique seasonal events, picnic surrounded by picturesque scenery, and enjoy classic holiday traditions.

Visitors have been coming to this beautiful area for over 50 years, and believe it or not, the popularity of these farms continues to grow in modern times. With so much to do in Apple Hill, you may need some advice on where to start. Read on for suggestions on some of the most popular things to do during the holiday season.

What is Apple Hill & Where is it?

Apple Hill Growers represents over 55 local family farms and is committed to supporting agriculture in the community. It is located near Placerville in the Sierra foothills, out in the rural farmlands between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.

Apple Hill incorporates an assorted type of farm estates including apple orchards, fruit and vegetable farms, bakeries, wineries, flower gardens, and Christmas tree nurseries. These farms are open to the public to pick fruit in the orchards and enjoy the countryside scenery.

Visiting these farms is an old-fashioned and fun way to spend quality family time in the great outdoors! Moreover, Apple Hill is a great day trip from Sacramento or a weekend trip if you are looking for an overnight adventure from San Francisco. It is just one hour's drive from Sacramento and over two hours from San Francisco.

Check out my complete guide to autumn apple picking in Apple Hill here.

Apple Hill During the Months of November & December

Apple Hill in November

Starting in November, the fall foliage is in vibrant orange and red colors. The local bakeries are fully stocked with pies, caramel apples, chocolate fudge and more sweets. You can stock up on desserts for your family Thanksgiving dinner.

In late November-December, the Christmas tree and festive holiday season begin, and going out to cut your own Christmas tree makes for a beautiful outing. The days immediately following Thanksgiving are peak times to get your Christmas tree.

Apple Hill in December

In December the Christmas magic is in full-swing and you can expect activities such wreath decorating, Christmas tree cutting, visiting Santa, shopping for locally made gifts and endless photo opportunities for Christmas family portraits. Sometimes you will see snow as early as December in the Apple Hill area, so you can even have a snow day and celebrate a winter wonderland Christmas season.

A great resource is this list of Apple Hill farms that are usually open during the holiday season in November and December.

Cut Down Your Own Christmas Tree

Apple Hill is one of the few places in Northern California where you can go to a tree farm and cut down your own tree. When the apple-picking season is over, it's time to visit the nurseries which are exclusively dedicated to growing Christmas trees. Enjoy a walk through the woodland wonderland and scout out the perfect Christmas tree to bring home.

Christmas tree varieties include Douglas fir, White fir, Canaan fir, Noble fir, and Silver fir. The prices of the trees vary slightly by variety, but you should expect to pay around $100 for your tree. I realize that this is a higher price than what you would pay in an urban tree lot. You’re paying a premium price for the farm experience.

Once you have stumbled upon your dream tree, you can ask a helper to cut it down, or they can provide you with a saw. Most of the farms require that you use one of their own saws, and you cannot bring your own axe or saw from home. They will also show you exact point on the tree where you can cut. They want you to cut it in a certain way that allows the tree to grow back. Sustainability is very important on Christmas tree farms.

The Best Time to Get Your Christmas Tree in Apple Hill

Most tree nurseries open the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving. They often sell out within two weeks of opening day, so do not put off a trip to Apple Hill if you want to get your own holiday tree. Most farms require reservations, so book online before you visit.

Top Christmas Tree Farms in Apple Hill

McGee’s Christmas Tree Farm

McGee’s Christmas Tree Farm was voted the number 1 Christmas tree farm in El Dorado County, so you are guaranteed to have an outstanding experience. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and they will happily assist in finding the perfect Silvertip if that is what you are looking for.

McGee's Christmas Tree Farm is an environmentally friendly farm. They ensure the tree is cut in a healthy place so that it will grow back next year.

The farm has a machine that wraps a rope around the tree to protect it for safe travel. There is no extra charge for this service or the rope. You will only need to bring your own rope to tie the tree to the roof of the car.

McGee's welcomes families with children and dogs on leads and is a great place for family holiday photos! Our first year getting our Christmas tree in Apple Hill, we picked out a beautiful one at McGee’s Christmas Tree Farm. Scroll down to see photos from our visit.

Apple Country Christmas Trees

Apple Country Christmas Trees a rural country farm located up high in the mountains. Fresh and hot spiced cider can be enjoyed on site, and picnic tables are available. Families are welcome to explore the farm and take photos.

This tree-cutting farm is located about 8 miles from Placerville in El Dorado County along Historic Highway 50. All trees are $70.00 regardless of height or variety. For the convenience of visitors, circular saws are provided.

Indian Rock Tree Farm

Many of the photos taken in this blog post are from our visit to Inidian Rock Tree Farm. We had a big family event for our tree cutting tradition with the grandparents and aunts. This farm is very big and there’s lots of areas to explore. They have wreath decorating, a cafe serving food, a pond with a cute little wooden bridge and of course many acres of trees.

Make sure you have a reservation before you arrive because it does get very busy and all the spots fill up quickly. We went the day after Thanksgiving and it was a full-house.

Check out my dedicated blog on cutting down your own Christmas tree in Apple Hill here.

More Fun Activities on Your Trip to Apple Hill

Even when the apple harvest season is over, several farms are open all year round, offering freshly made pies, freshly pressed cider, and seasonal artisan markets. Spend time outdoors and make memories with family or friends by taking part in the various Apple Hill activities.

Decorate Your Own Wreath

Another fun thing to do is decorate your own customized wreath. You can choose the color scheme, decorations, and bow. Many of the farms have pop-up style wreath shops and provide all the supplies. In the past I’ve seen the Harris Tree Farm and Indian Rock Tree Farm host wreath decorating events.

Visit Santa & Take Pictures

If you are going to be a guest at this magical place, be sure to include a visit to Santa Claus and take those classic holiday photos you’ll cherish for generations to come. In past years I know Apple Ridge Farms and Fudge Factory Farms have hosted Santa Claus meets.

The best way to know about upcoming Santa events are to check the Apple Hill calendar frequently for upcoming holiday happenings, starting in September. I also suggest signing up for the Apple Hill newsletter to receive timely updates on events.

Pick Up Whole Pies for Holiday Dinners

Don't pass up the opportunity to buy and take whole pies home. You can buy both fresh and frozen pies to serve for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other special occasion.

This can also be a great gift if you are visiting someone, as the pie will fill the house with a lovely aroma and will not take long to bake in the oven. At Apple Hill, you will find a number of places to buy these delicious treats. Here are some of our favorites.

Denver Dan’s Apple Barn & Bake Shop

Denver Dan’s is located right in the heart of Apple Hill in Camino, California. Orchards are available, and you can pick your own apples in the autumn, but it is advisable to call in advance to find out the best and most available dates.

At Denver Dan's, the bake shop offers apple crisps, pumpkin rolls and to-go frozen pies, which are the best-selling products in the area. You can also buy jam and enjoy jelly tastings on weekends. Call before you go to the restaurant for information on additional activities for children!

Grandpa’s Cellar

Known as Apple Hill's hidden gem, Grandpa's Cellar is located in the foothills of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. Grandpa's Cellar has evolved and grown since 1978 but has always maintained a farm atmosphere!

Their motto is quality, not quantity, so you can be sure you will not be disappointed with their baked goods. Visitors can relax and enjoy a picnic under the old apple trees surrounded by tall Ponderosa pines, sequoias, and cedars.

The on-site nature trail is an easy walk through the natural forest and the river that runs through it. Their apple orchard is 100 years old and still fruitful, so they still use the apples in pies, jams, apple butter, and apple sauces.

Grandpa's Cellar offers the widest range of fresh apple baked goods to be found in Apple Hill. All of the pies on the menu are handmade by their own bakers, who have worked here for over 40 years, which is a testament to the many good things about this establishment. They also now have the popular coffee flights which has been a big hit in past seasons.

They are also the only bakery in Apple Hill to offer gluten-free pastries, which are perfect for people with dietary restrictions. The atmosphere is truly family-like, which makes you feel at home!

Bodhaine Ranch Bakeshop

To taste truly mouthwatering pies, head to Bodhaine Ranch – a 15-acre property located in the Fruit Ridge area of El Dorado County, dating back to the late 19th century.

Bodhaine Ranch's handmade pies and pastries are unbeatable in taste! They use only mountain-grown pumpkins, peaches, apples, berries, and other premium natural ingredients.

Each frozen pie is carefully packed in an insulated bag so that when you buy them, you can bake them immediately or store them in the freezer and bake them for special occasions such as Thanksgiving or Christmas with the family.

What is really great, baking the pies requires almost no work. You just have to follow the simple baking instructions while enjoying the sweet smell of berries and apples filling your kitchen.

Bodhaine Ranch is known among three generations of families for melt-in-your-mouth pie crusts with hearty fillings at harvest time. Each year, new products are added to their menu and celebrated at a special New Recipe Tasting Festival to help select new products to be featured on future menus.

More Apple Hill Foodie Favorites

Apple Hill is a foodie destination year-round, because there’s always something delicious to discover. Here are a few autumn and holiday foodie favorites.

Enjoy Hard Cider at Hidden Star Camino Cider Barn Taproom and Bakery

When visiting Apple Hill, make sure to put Hidden Star Camino on your itinerary. The tavern and bakery located in Camino, California, will be a great discovery for all foodies. Its unique barn room serves by the glass and offers sixteen varieties of hard cider.

They are open until the end of the year, and their barns are decorated with Christmas trees and twinkling lights. Shorty's Doughnuts operates onsite and at Christmas time they also serve candy cane donuts.

Caramel and Candy Covered Apples from Fudge Factory Farms

To satisfy your sweet tooth, head to Fudge Factory Farms. They offer handmade chocolates and creams, more than 27 types of candy apples, frozen pies, organic apples, raspberries, homemade jams, freshly baked pastries, blackberries, and, seasonally blueberries in the summer.

While you are there, make sure to taste their raspberry, blackberry, and apple wine. All are produced and grown locally! Fudge Factory Farms also has a children's playground to keep the little ones entertained and ensure that a good time is had by all.

Hot Apple Cider Donuts from Rainbow Orchards

There are legends that reach as far as San Francisco about how awesome the Rainbow Orchards’ Hot Apple Cider Donuts are. These culinary gems are made with cinnamon spices and covered in sugar. They have that quintessential fall and winter spice combo that instantly makes it feel like the holidays. Enjoy your donuts with a cup of fresh apple cider. Cheers!

Full List of Apple Hill Bake Shops

Below you will find other top bakeries that are definitely worth a visit on your trip to Apple Hill. Make sure you call ahead or check their social media accounts to ensure that they will be open and have products available for the season.

Apple Hill Wineries

Apple Hill is all about scenic landscapes, which makes it an ideal place to enjoy an afternoon at a winery. Many of the wineries create a festive holiday atmosphere with Christmas trees covered in lights. You can also shop wines and hard ciders to bring home for holiday meals with friends and family.

If you’re visiting the area with your children, I have a dedicated blog post to Kid-Friendly Wineries in Apple Hill.

Experience the beauty of wine at its best at any of the Apple Hill wineries:

Boeger Winery
Fenton Herriott Vineyards
Wofford Acres Vineyards
Starfield Vineyards
Smokey Ridge Ranch
Rucksack Cellars
Pine-O-Mine Ranch
North Canyon Cider Co. - Brewing hard apple cider!
Madrona Vineyards
Lava Cap Winery
Hidden Star Camino - Brewing hard apple cider!
Goyette's North Canyon Ranch
Delfino Farms

Boeger Winery’s Holiday Sip & Savor Event

One of the coolest events that take place in Apple Hill is the Boeger Winery's Holiday Sip & Savor. This annual adults-only holiday wine event offers foodie pairings with excellent wine. you can taste their Boeger range of festive wines and samples straight from the barrel in their old wine cellar – an experience you will be unlikely to find anywhere else. Foodie lovers will have the pleasure of enjoying an amazing exhibition of charcuterie from The Grazing Grouse – a visual and sensory treat that you will not soon forget.

Shop Locally Made Christmas Gifts

Shop locally made Christmas gifts at the craft fairs and gift shops in Apple Hill. If you are looking for beautiful and personal gifts for loved ones, you can't go wrong with these artisan goods that have been crafted with old world skills and great care. Many of these coveted gifts can only be found on the farms during the holiday season.

High Hill Ranch Craft Show

The best place to start your search to find the perfect gifts for Christmas is the High Hill Ranch Craft Show. Choose between the works of over 75 artists and enjoy the largest regional craft show in Northern California, located right in the heart of Apple Hill.

This giant craft show is also known as Apple Hill Farm Festival and features authentic handmade collectibles, home goods, jewelry, knitted clothes and accessories, skincare products, artisan foods and even paintings.

This craft fair is open everyday. Weekdays it’s open 10am - 5pm, and on the weekends it’s open 8am - 6pm. I would suggest calling them before you head out, just to verify they are open for the season.

Almost all the farms and wineries featured in this blog post have their own boutique shops where you can purchase locally made goods and crafts.

Here’s a few more Apple Hill farms to look into:

24 Carrot Farm
Abel’s Apple Acres - They are open until Christmas Eve!
Rapetti Farms
O’Halloran’s Apple Trail Ranch
Madrone Tree Hill
Hillside Tree Farm
Bluestone Meadow - Shop lavender products. Call ahead to see if they are open during the holiday season.

Enjoy a Snow Day in the Winter Wonderland

The foothills of the Sierra Mountains in El Dorado County are snow-covered for many months during the winter. That means you can enjoy all the fun that comes with snow and the winter season. Regardless of whether you prefer adventurous activities or something more laidback, you will find something exciting to do in the snow. Have a look at the snow parks near Camino, California. You can expect to drive about an hour into higher elevation levels, up the mountains.

South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is about an hour drive outside of Apple Hill and is in incorporated into El Dorado County. When we took a weekend trip to South Lake Tahoe, we stayed at the Basecamp Boutique Hotel which I highly recommend.

The best privately owned South Lake Tahoe snow parks that sell tickets to the public are:

Carson Pass SNO-Parks in Alpine County

Although Carson Pass is considered part of Alpine County, it is still one of the closest options for a snow day near Apple Hill. The important thing to know about the state Sno-park system is you are required to buy either a day permit or season pass permit to use these designated snow play areas. Otherwise you risk getting a ticket. They are not expensive, usually $5 for the day and $25 for the season. Get your Sno-park permit pass here.

There are four Sno-parks in the Carson Pass area: