Best Apple Picking in the Sierra Foothills 2026
June 11, 2026 · 8 min read
The Sierra Foothills — specifically the Apple Hill area in El Dorado County east of Sacramento — is California's densest concentration of u-pick apple farms. From late August through November, the Camino ridge fills with orchards offering dozens of varieties. Here's what to know before you go.
When is apple season in the Sierra Foothills?
Apple season in the foothills runs from late August through November, with different varieties peaking at different points:
- Late August – September — Early varieties: Gravensteins, Lodi, Transparents. Less crowded, warm weather, excellent for sauce apples.
- October — Peak season. Galas, Fujis, Jonagolds, Pippins, and heirlooms. This is when Apple Hill gets busy on weekends — go early or on a weekday.
- November — Late keepers: Pink Lady, Braeburn, Granny Smith. Crowds thin out, weather cools. Often the best time for serious apple buyers who want volume without the weekend rush.
Weekend traffic note: Apple Hill on an October Saturday can back up Highway 50 for miles. Budget an extra 30–45 minutes for the final stretch, or plan to arrive before 10am to beat the main wave.
Apple Hill — the Camino orchard cluster
The majority of foothills apple farms are on or near the Apple Hill Road loop in Camino, El Dorado County — about 50 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 50. Most farms are within a few miles of each other; you can visit three or four in a single afternoon.
One of the most well-known Apple Hill destinations — an extensive orchard with multiple apple varieties, a bakery, and farm market. Good for families who want the full Apple Hill experience in one stop. Expect crowds on October weekends; the bakery line alone can be 20 minutes. Worth it if you plan accordingly.
A more focused u-pick operation — apples without the festival-atmosphere extras. If you're there primarily to pick fruit rather than browse a market, this is a quieter option with good access to the orchard rows.
Apples, pears, and pumpkins on a family ranch along the apple trail loop. Multiple varieties available through the season — call ahead in November to confirm late-season availability.
Apples, pears, persimmons, and nuts. A farm with more variety than most on the trail — if you want to pick more than just apples on the same visit, Hangtown Kid is a strong choice mid-to-late season.
Apples and pumpkins on a ranch with a more off-the-beaten-path feel than the central Apple Hill loop farms. Good option for visitors who find the main trail too commercial.
Apples and grapes — the grape side makes this an interesting dual harvest visit in September and early October. A smaller operation than the main trail anchors.
Beyond Apple Hill
Off the main Camino cluster in Garden Valley — blueberries, apples, plums, blackberries, and raspberries across the season. The multi-crop mix makes it worth the slightly longer drive if you want a complete farm visit rather than just apples.
A Nevada County farm north of Apple Hill with apples, berries, peaches, plums, pears, strawberries, tomatoes, and pumpkins. More of a full-season farm than an apple destination — the apple selection is good but not as deep as Camino. Worth it if you're already in the Grass Valley area.
Apple orchard in Paradise (Butte County), well north of the Camino cluster. A completely different crowd and vibe from the Apple Hill experience — a local orchard for the North State rather than a weekend destination drive.
Tips for Apple Hill visits
- Bring boxes, not bags. If you're picking a significant quantity, a cardboard box in the car stacks better and keeps apples from bruising each other.
- Ask about heirloom varieties. Several farms grow varieties you won't find at any grocery store — Pippins, Gravensteins, Newtown Pippins, Winesaps. Worth asking what's unusual on the property that week.
- Combine with a cider stop. Several farms press cider on-site. Hard cider production has grown in the foothills — check which farms are pouring the day you visit.
- The best apples twist off cleanly. A ripe apple releases with a slight upward twist — it shouldn't require significant force. Pulling straight down can break the fruiting spur and reduce next year's crop.