Apple Hill

I have been up to Apple Hill now several times to try to get a good deal on pumpkins for next week's party.
Plubell's is fun for the kids- they don't have apples this year as many places don't because of the spring freeze- but they have a Barnum and Bailey Circus Clown, Face Painting, a small pumpkin patch and some farm animals. They also have a barbecue on the week-ends.
Abel's Acres is fun but it is a little costly to do the corn maze and other activities. The apple donuts are amazing though (and we'll have them at the party next week-end)
High Hill Ranch has a pond stocked with fish, pony rides, and right next door is a choclate factory- great caramel apples.
Willow Pond Farm is an organic farm- and is giving our club a great deal on pumpkins for our Halloween party. (tell them you are part of EDMOMS)
Kid's Inc has small "walking" pies that are great to bring home for a small family
O'Halloran's Apple Trail Ranch is a fun place to go pick out your pumpkin as they have a really nice pumpkin patch.
Our favorite is to go to Larsen Apple Barn- they have someone there letting you taste the different apples and you can see them being sorted. We usually get a sandwich and an apple cookie from the bakery and head across the street to their beautiful park for a picnic. I would stop somewhere to get a map- it will make your day easier- or get online to get a map.
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When I drove by El Dorado Orchards the other day it was not open, they may be weekend only. They have a great place across the street from them that has pony rides really reasonable. The train ride is okay, the kids got a kick out of it when they were small. We thought it rather short.

Here are my other recommendations for Apple Hill.

High Hill Ranch – lots to do and a cool pond with fishing.

Abel’s Acres – not much going on during the week but on weekends they have pony rides and a hay maze. Fantastic apple donuts as well!

Pluebell’s – fun petting zoo

Apple Hill maps: http://www.applehill.com/Map08_East.pdf and http://www.applehill.com/site/Map08_West.pdf

Apple Hill website: http://www.applehill.com/index.htm

I advise if going on the weekend to go on a Saturday early, Sundays are insane. Bring your patience and good driving manners J Hwy 50 can be a parking lot and all of the out-of-towners will simply stop their car in the middle of the road to look at something or dig out their maps. Whatever you do, stay away on Sunday, November 2nd (Apple Hill goes until Thanksgiving), the Apple Hill Harvest run is that day and roads are completely shut down.

A family at our school owns Santa's Acres (farm #81) and hosts an annual Green Harvest Festival. I've never been, but another mom at school said it was a lot of fun with live music, play area, vendors, & food.