Apple Hill, located in the Camino area of El Dorado County, has been serving locals with fun visits and homemade goodies for over 50 years. Their apple farms and products have made them famous within their community and beyond, and they are a popular destination in the later seasons of Fall and Winter. The organization has over 90 locations, all with their own appeals and history.
Established in 1915, the Placerville Fruit Growers Association was originally popular for packing and selling pears rather than apples. However, in the 1950’s many pears were struck with damaging diseases, causing the local farming industry to fall behind on profit. Seeing this, a local man named Dick Bethell aimed to reshape the community and encouraged them to branch out into different fruit productions.
The following decade, he visited a wildly successful apple growing area in Southern California and became inspired. He and other local citizens joined to form what is now the Apple Hill Growers Association and opened their first picnic for the public in 1964.
Rainbow Orchards
One of my personal favorite locations to visit within Apple Hill is Rainbow Orchards. Rainbow Orchards is famous for its original hot apple cider donuts, but it also has a lot more to offer. They grow their own blueberries, blackberries, pears, peaches and nectarines, as well as 20 different types of apple.
I spoke with Christa Campbell, the owner of Rainbow Orchards. She told me a little bit about the history of this farm and said, “Rainbow Orchards was founded by my husband, Tom Heflin, and myself in 1977.” She continued:
“It was our romantic dream to return to the land, to grow good food, and to raise our sons in a rural environment.”
She said that it’s a family business and, “…now the third generation sustaining the farm.”
When it comes to community, Apple Hill is a two-way street. Not only do the farms bring lots of people memories and joy, but new and returning visitors mean a lot to the owners and employees that run their locations.
Commenting on this, Christa Campbell said, “I continue the tradition of serving on several community boards and donating my time, my product, and my financial resources to the good of our community.”
Selling the Apple
Apples, whether in their original form or another, are a classic product for the fall season. Many farming companies and other apple producers capitalize on the fall season to advertise and market apples to a hearing audience as much as they can. In grocery markets, apples are likely to be front and center on the produce section during this time. They’re also incorporated into popular seasonal products, like apple pie, caramel apples, and apple cider.
Hard Cider, or alcoholic apple cider, is an apple product that has blown up in popularity in recent years. The hard cider industry has grown and is expected to continue to grow, globally. Some varieties have lower sugar levels than other alcoholic beverages. It also doesn’t contain gluten, making it a good option for some with food allergies. Hard ciders also have a unique variety of tastes and sensations, which gives it an appealing edge to consumers. Some consider it a safer option for ordering in a bar or other venue, but check alcohol content, and they are typically a cheaper pick.
Within the Apple Hill farms, North Canyon Cider offers a public cider house where visitors over 21 can taste and purchase their seasonal and homemade ciders, with an array of fruit flavors and attributes. Additionally, most locations in Apple Hill offer non alcoholic apple cider, as well as some locations selling hard cider samples and packages.
A Place for Community
Within the student community, Apple Hill is regarded as a beloved and fun place to see every year. Many local people grow up with a family Apple Hill tradition, visiting together annually to buy their favorite products and see the natural beauty. Some visit in the winter season as well, where Apple Hill operates to provide food, Christmas trees, and local business products. When I spoke with Sierra College student Julia Smith, she said, “Growing up my family and I loved Apple Hill so much that we would go back to cut our Christmas tree there…a lot of people think of fall when they think of Apple Hill but we went for both seasons.”
Supporting Local Business
One notable attraction provided at Apple Hill locations are the local street vendors that offer a wide array of products that are homemade within the community. Popular items that I noticed when visiting these vendors were home decor, clothing, and hygienic products with natural components.
When talking to student Brooke Zieker, she said “I got the cutest bracelet from a vendor there that I still wear all of the time and every time I see it I think of Apple Hill.”
Street vending has become a popular event for local communities to host, and can be a successful way for local and small businesses to get recognition and new buyers. It became legalized for street vendors to safely set up their locations in 2018, with the Senate Bill No. 946, also known as the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act. Before this law, it was up to local authority to control these vendors, which often led to criminalization of local owners and harsh conditions.
More Than Just Apples
One of the biggest components of Apple Hill is its acclaim within the local community. It’s safe and warm environment brings families and friends together, and people from all over want to join in on the fun.
Student Graham Petrenko said, “People from all over are coming to Apple Hill. No one is really from Placerville, which is really unique because everyone comes and meets new people which is really cool.”
So, when thinking of the ultimate fall themed trip this coming season, it might be a good idea to look at Apple Hill for fun times with your loved ones.
Written, Reported, and Photographed by Evie Walsh
