| There's no place better for a respite than the | | | | summer season, pumpkins in October, and |
| tremendous bounty of Apple Hill and the glorious | | | | Christmas Tree cuttings beginning the day after |
| wineries of Shenandoah Valley. Both regions are | | | | Thanksgiving." Aside from several different |
| just a two hour drive from from Reno, Nevada, | | | | varieties of apples, the area is also known for |
| and full of good old-fashioned activity and fine | | | | growing crisp pears, plump peaches, ripe plums |
| vintage that you will appreciates and remember | | | | and sweet cherries. |
| for years to come. | | | | The region itself is rich in history. It did not earn |
| Apple Hill | | | | its reputation as atourist destination until 1964, |
| Beginning after Labor Day, you can spend a | | | | even when it was an agricultural center since the |
| relaxing day in Apple Hill and take your time to | | | | California Gold Rush in the early to mid 1800's. |
| enjoy its beautiful surroundings. A prime place for | | | | Starting out with 16 ranches, they are now |
| the bounty of agriculture and nestled in the Sierra | | | | boasting 37 apple ranches, almost a dozen |
| Foothills between Camino and Placerville in El | | | | Christmas tree farms, four vineyards and a |
| Dorado County, there's no place like it in the | | | | brewery. |
| world. You'll delight in the fresh baked aromas of | | | | Denver Dan's is one of the half-dozen or so |
| apple pie and fritters, freshly pressed apple cider, | | | | places where you can choose and pick your own |
| fine wines aged in oak barrels, and Christmas tree | | | | apples, including their popular bananas apples, |
| farms getting pruned and ready to cut during the | | | | known for its yellow color and banana-like taste. |
| holidays. | | | | High Hill Ranch is a wonderful place to enjoy trout |
| According to the Apple Hill Growers Association, | | | | fishing, fudge tasting and craft bazaars. Not only |
| last year more than 500,000 visitors came to | | | | will you find fresh produce here, you can purchase |
| Apple Hill on a mission to taste the best of the | | | | hand-crafted momentos to bring home to your |
| best. The 2,500-3,000 foot elevation marks an | | | | family. |
| ideal growing season, along with a cold dormant | | | | Honey Bear Ranch provides a restaurant with |
| season that ranchers certainly appreciate and | | | | grilled cuisine and a bake shop filled with apple |
| take advantage of. Simply put, the apples grown | | | | desserts and chocolate fudge and honey. In |
| here are some of the best you'll ever taste. | | | | addition, their craft and food stalls are open on |
| It's like stepping inside a Norman Rockwell painting- | | | | weekends so you can bring home some of the |
| The winding country roads bordered by pine trees | | | | best that you've tasted. |
| will lead you to quaint roadside stands that boast | | | | Many of the Apple Hill orchards are perfect for |
| the best of their bounty. According to Apple Hill | | | | family fun. There are petting zoos, miniature |
| Growers Association Executive Secretary Linda | | | | horse wagon rides, nature trails and gorgeous |
| Lindner, "There are cherries in June, berries in the | | | | areas for picnics. |