Pie Oh My! Apple Hill

So here it is October, and nothing screams Fall in Sacramento like Apple Hill. Apple Hill is magical place with many childhood memories. Most of the memories include hot apple cider, Carmel apples, and hot apple pie. Apple Hill is Disneyland for a pie connoisseur: 50 ranches all with their own recipe for homemade pie.

Fortunately/unfortunately Apple Hill is only 30-40 minutes from my house. That is all to close for a person suffering from FROCD (Food Related Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), like me.

People often think I am anti-dessert because they hold no nutritional value. Sorry guys, wish I were that good. I am anti dessert because I have ZERO self control. There are never sweets in this house because I would eat them all. I don't bake because I would inhale it before it cooled. It's a serious problem for me. I gained 70 lbs with my first pregnancy on precious pie and ice cream alone...let me tell you, NOT PRETTY.



I digress. Back to Apple Hill. If you ever visit the area in Fall and you love pie make sure you visit Apple Hill.


Here is a small pie from Denver Dan's in Apple Hill

This would be the unbaked frozen pie that I am waiting to bake....it's hard.

This would be an apple crisp.



Not photoed are the 6 made to order apple donuts from Rainbow Orchards that I devoured while still up there.


My Apple Hill Picks (note: there are so many great ranches, these are my favorite)

Best Place to take kids:
Plubell's Family Orchard (#20)
1800 Larsen Drive Camino, CA
530/647-0613; 530/644-1761
Season: September 3 - Mid-November

Best Pie:
Denver Dan's (#14)
4354 Bumble Bee Lane Camino, CA
530/644-6881
Season: Open September 1. Daily. October Closed Tues. September/November Fri., Sat., Sun. November - December 17

Best Apple Donuts:
Rainbow Orchards (#10)
2569 Larsen Drive Camino, CA
530/644-1594
Season: September 2 - December 11 (Fri., Sat., Sun.) 9am - 5pm
September 16 - November 13 (Daily 10am - 5pm)

Best Wine:
Sogno Winery (not technically in Apple Hill but close enough)

Favorite Organic Farm:
Honey Bear Ranch (#24)
2826 Barkley Road Camino, CA
530/644-3934
Season: September 1 to December 11Hours: 9:30am - 5pm Weekends
9:30am - 4pm Weekdays

Again there are many other great ranches in Apple Hill. Please add your favorites in the comments section.