6 ways to enjoy apple season without kids

While Apple Hill™ is known for its apple farms and family-friendly activities, you don’t need to have kids with you to enjoy the area’s varied attractions.



We’ve compiled a list of our favorite things to do for adults (who may or may not still be kids at heart). So after you’ve taken the children around Apple Hill™, plan a return trip for yourself.

Tasting hard cider at Jack Russell Brewing in Apple Hill

Taste an assortment of ciders and meads at Jack Russell Brewing, located in picturesque Apple Hill.

Taste hard ciders (and beer)

You can purchase hard cider at some locations in the area, but Jack Russell Farm Brewery is one of the few spots where you can taste on-site. They offer a range of ciders and meads, and traditionalists can also sample their beers. The brewery’s bucolic location in the heart of Apple Hill™ means that you can savor the views of the countryside in the outdoor seating area. Food is available from local food trucks (varies).

Larsen Farm Museum, Apple Hill, El Dorado County

Discover the agricultural heritage of El Dorado County at the Larsen Farm Museum. (Enjoy one of their delicious apple fritters afterward!)

Learn about Apple Hill™ history

Not limited to just adults, the Larsen Farm Museum, located at Larsen’s Apple Barn, is a (free) view into the region’s past, including farm implements, photos, furniture, and apple ranching equipment. If you’re lucky, you may even have Mr. Larsen himself greeting you at the entrance.

Homemade apple donuts at Rainbow Orchards, El Dorado County

Homemade apple cider donuts at Rainbow Orchards are one of many delicious apple treats you can find at the Apple Hill ranches.

Don’t miss the iconic Apple Hill™ treat

Some may argue that’s apple pie (or walkin’ pie, or apple turnovers), but purists agree that the apple cider donut is at its best when consumed on location. You’ll find plenty of places to taste this local favorite throughout Apple Hill™. Fun fact: nutritionists agree that multiple apple cider donuts in a day provide you with twice your daily happiness needs.

Run a corn maze

The best way to digest the above-mentioned iconic treat is to get lost in a corn maze. You’ll find one that challenges even the tallest (and smartest) of grownups at Delfino Farms (formerly known as Kids Inc.). The corn maze is over an acre and poses a real challenge for adults. More so for adults who may have tasted some cider along the way.

See the best vineyard view in Apple Hill™

Wofford Acres Vineyards offers one of the best unobstructed views of El Dorado County from its grassy picnic area. The drive out is well worth it, as much for their wines and hard cider as the views. Insider tip: Pick up a bottle or two of LaMancha Estate for later, and savor a ‘picnic pour’ of their hard cider as you enjoy the views.