Autumn means one thing: a visit to El Dorado County’s Apple Hill. This year we were on a mission to get out of our old rut of visiting the same Apple Hill farms we always visit year after year and explore some new farms. We wanted to try lots of baked treats, get caramel apples, and find some cool handmade crafts to take home.
While we did stop at a few of our favorites like High Hill and Fudge Factory, Abel’s Apple Acres, Boa Vista Orchards, and Rainbow Orchards, we also visited new farms, including Bodhaine Apple Ranch, Delfino Farms and Joan’s Apple Bakery, Larsen Apple Barn, Denver Dans You Pick Apple Patch, and O’Halloran’s Apple Trail Ranch.
What we loved about Bodhaine Apple Ranch is that they are one of only a few organic apple growers in Apple Hill. This organic farm grows seven different varieties of apples and grapes, has a big picnic area and patio in a gorgeous country setting, and has a yummy bakeshop with all sorts of baked goods filled with apples and caramel, pies, and other fruity desserts.
What we appreciated about Bodhaine Ranch is that they also have regular food! Between all of the delicious apple desserts we had been eating all day, we were craving something non-sugary for lunch and there aren’t lots of choices at Apple Hill for regular food. Bodhaine delivered though with tri-tip and chicken empanadas that were amazing.
Our visit to Bodhaine didn’t last long though because other than the bakeshop and kitchen, there weren’t any other activities — this is definitely a must-visit lunch time pitstop for hungry families!
About Bodhaine Ranch
Bodhaine Ranch, founded in the late 19th century, sits on 15 acres in what was once called the Fruit Ridge district of El Dorado County. Originally a plantation of pears, the ranch was replanted with apples in the mid-1960s. By 1982, the area had been renamed Apple Hill and Bodhaine Ranch added a commercial kitchen and dinning room.
In 2002, Bodhaine Ranch transitions from traditional farming practices to organic farming and is now a certified organic Apple Hill grower. All farming materials and practices now conform to the National Organic Program and the ranch is inspected annually by California Certified Organic Farmers, a certifier accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Bodhaine Ranch Pie Shop
For three generations, the Bodhaine Ranch Pie Shop has been known for handmade apple cakes, apple cookies, apple turnovers, caramel apples, and melt-in-your-mouth pie crusts with scrumptious, rich fillings. In 2003, the Pie Shop added fruit cobblers and blueberry products, and they continue to add new items each year. If you’re hungry, stop in for lunch and enjoy trip-tip, hot wings, apple sausages, chicken pot pies, vegetable pot pies, empanadas, and more all baked fresh daily!
The bakeshop also offers frozen pies carefully packed in insulated bags for you to take home and bake right away or freeze and save for the holidays. If you’re allergic to nuts, don’t despair! They also have pies without nuts, including Old Fashioned Apple Pie, French Apple Pie, Rhubarb Apple Pie, Blackberry Apple Sour Cream Pie, Sour Cream Apple Pie, and Pumpkin Pie.
Know Before You Go
- Bodhaine Apple Ranch in Apple Hill is located at 2315 Cable Road, Camino, California 95709 and is Apple Hill Farm #68 in El Dorado County.
- Open daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm from September through mid-November. Open Saturday and Sunday only from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm from mid-November to mid-December.
- Bodhaine Apple Ranch has been certified organic since 2002 and offers seven varieties of apples and grapes.
- Shipping is available for Apple Cakes and Apple Cookies.
