Spend a Perfect Day in Apple Hill

 

Autumn is officially here, and there’s no better way to take in all it has to offer than a visit to Apple Hill. A trek up the hill to the scenic farms outside of Placerville in El Dorado County is an autumn tradition! The crisp mountain air, the falling leaves, and the rows upon rows of apple trees make it the perfect fall day trip. Apple Hill has more to offer than ambiance alone. Of course, there are the apples, in all shapes and forms — fresh picked, baked into pies, pressed into juice, and candied. But Apple Hill offers everything from wine tasting to shopping. Following are some of the best ways to spend a perfect day in Apple Hill

Pick Your Own Apples

Photo courtesy Apple Hill Growers Association

There’s something about traipsing through an apple orchard, taking in the autumn sunshine, and picking your own apples. Not only do you get to pick the freshest apples possible, you get to enjoy the fresh air while doing it! Following are some of the farms in Apple Hill where you can pick your own (note: Upick apples typically have limited quantities, so when they’re gone, they’re gone – it’s recommended to check in advance).

1. Sloan Winters Mountain Orchard & Garden,
2. Goyette’s North Canyon Ranch
3. Denver Dans’s
4. Pine-O-Mine Ranch
5. Goodness Orchard
6. Harris Family Farm
7. Smokey Ridge Ranch

 Have Dessert First

Photo courtesy Grandpa’s Cellar

There are so many bakeries in Apple Hill it’s hard to choose just one. Luckily, you don’t have to! Today is no day for watching the waistline, so go crazy! You can find everything here, from flaky, buttery apple pies, decadent fritters, and melt-in-your-mouth apple cake. Larson Apple Barn has a wide variety of pies, including apple, pumpkin and berry, as well as turnovers and dumplings. High Hill Ranch also has an expansive shop with pies, donuts, fritters, caramel apples and even caramel apple cider milkshakes. If you have allergies or don’t eat animal products, visit Apple Pantry Farm; they have vegan options and do not use any nuts in their recipes. Grandpa’s Cellar has a 7-pound party pie and is one of the only spots where you can find gluten-free pastries like crisps, cookies and muffins. If it’s an apple donut you’re after, head to Rainbow Orchards, which is renowned for their hot, cinnamony delights, as well as pies, cobblers, crisps and tarts. Or, how about an apple donut ice cream sandwich at Boa Vista Orchards?

 Enjoy Lunch

Photo courtesy Apple Pantry Farm

Apple Hill is arguably one of the only places where it’s socially accepted (and expected) to have dessert first. Afterward, balance that blood sugar with a hearty lunch from one of the many food vendors in the area. Bodhaine Ranch serves comforting dishes like pot pie, tamales and tri-tip sandwiches, while Boa Vista Orchards has deli sandwiches and burgers. Abels Apple Acres specializes in smoked meats like pulled pork and tri-tip, and also has a chicken pot pie in a bread bowl. High Hill Ranch also serves lunch, with BBQ items like tri-tip, burgers and sausage, as well as grilled cheese and black bean burgers for the non-meat eaters. Or, if you prefer, you can pack your own lunch and picnic amongst the apple trees; many farms offer shaded picnic tables where you can spread out and relax, including Apple Pantry Farm.

 

Find the Perfect Pumpkin

Photo courtesy Apple Hill Growers Association

Visiting Apple Hill in October? It’s a great place to find the perfect Halloween pumpkin for your front porch. In addition to pumpkins, many farms also grow other fall staples like ornamental corn and gourds. Delfino Farms has a 3-acre you-pick pumpkin patch as well as a 2-acre corn maze. O’Hallorans Apple Trail Ranch also has a you-pick pumpkin patch. Apple Ridge Farms has a pumpkin patch, as well as pictures with the giant pumpkin and a hay bale maze for the little ones. High Hill Ranch also has pumpkins, as well as hay rides through the orchards. Boa Vista Orchards has a scenic pumpkin patch overlooking the canyon beyond. Other Upick pumpkin patches include 24Carrot Farm, Sloan Winters Mountain Orchard & Garden, Goodness Orchard, Harris Family Farm and Smokey Ridge Ranch.

 

Get a Jump Start on Holiday Shopping

Photo courtesy Grandpa’s Cellar

In addition to apples, many farms in Apple Hill also have a variety of other fruits and veggies for sale, so you can stock up for the week. Many also produce gourmet food items from their bounties, such as jams and jellies, fruit and nut butters, honey, dehydrated fruit, sauces and other items. Some good bets include Sloan Winters Mountain Orchard & Garden, an organic farm that has items such as mulberry plum jam and cranberry spice jam; Apple Ridge Farms, which has homemade fudge, BBQ sauce and apple butters as well as local handicrafts; and Rainbow Orchards, which has jams, butters, syrups and vinegars. At Grandpa’s Cellar, you can find local honey, jams and jellies, vintage cookware, soup mixes, home decor and local crafts. In fact, many farms host artisan fairs during the busy season. High Hill Ranch has one of the largest, with local vendors selling handmade jewelry, artwork, clothing and more. Boa Vista also has a large arts & crafts fair, with everything from hand-sewn aprons to bath bombs, meat rubs to yard art.

 

Go Wine (or Beer, or Cider) Tasting

Photo courtesy Hwy 50 Brewery

Contrary to popular belief, Apple Hill isn’t just for kids. There are several spots in the area where grown-ups can have fun too. There are numerous wineries to check out, where you can sip beneath the trees and take in the splendor of the season. Some to try include Lava Cap, Boeger, Madroña, Fenton Herriott, and Starfield Vineyards, among many others. You can learn more about El Dorado County Wines and download a map at eldoradowines.org. Wine not your thing? No worries. Apple Hill has other options as well. Jack Russell Farm Brewery has craft beer, mead and cider to enjoy on a large patio with picnic tables, while Hwy 50 Brewery offers blondes, IPAs and stouts alongside pizza and bar bites — plus live music. If it’s hard cider you’re after, you can follow the Apple Hill Hard Cider Trail and check out North Canyon Cider Company, Hidden Star, and High Hill Ranch.

    ALWAYS A GREAT AUTUMN WEEKEND GET-AWAY.                                    

How Proposition 19 Benefits You

 

How Prop. 19 Benefits You

Most residents are familiar with Proposition 19 — the California Constitutional Amendment that changed the way property taxes are calculated in California. After all, they voted on it during the 2020 general election. But not all homeowners really understand how Prop. 19 benefits them.

Prop. 19 changed the way taxes are calculated on those who inherit property. An increased tax rate on these properties is now used to help certain groups of homeowners looking to move, including the following:

• Those over the age of 55
• Disabled homeowners
• Victims of natural disasters

But first, a little background. In 1978, voters approved another ballot initiative, Prop. 13, which limits the amount that property taxes can be raised each year. It aimed to keep neighborhoods strong by encouraging homeowners to remain in their home rather than being priced out due to taxes alone.

This lower tax base, or Prop. 13 cap, also extended to heirs upon a homeowners death. Under Prop 19, this lower rate only extends to children who reside in their parent’s home as their principal residence. Otherwise, the property will be reassessed and the additional funds used to support the new law.

Proposition 19, officially known as The Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or National Disasters Act, encourages upward mobility for qualified homeowners. The most notable benefit is for those over the age of 55, who can now move up without the fear of reassessment and being priced out of the market. Now, they are allowed to keep their current tax rate when selling their existing home and buying another. The restrictions include the following:

• It must be their principal residence.
• They must purchase or build the new home within two years of selling the previous home/
• The new home must be in California.
• They can transfer the tax base three times.

So, how does Prop. 19 benefit you? If you’re over the age of 55, disabled, or a victim of a natural disaster (such as a wildfire), it allows you to purchase a new home anywhere in the state and carryover the same property tax base to the new property. In other words, the new tax rate will be based on the previous home’s assessed value. There are several benefits to this new structure:

Flexibility. Qualified homeowners can move wherever life takes them. For some, this means the ability to move closer to grandkids without taking a financial hit. For others, it means moving away from fire-prone areas for safety and security. For others, it may mean moving out of high-cost areas to more affordable spots.

No minimum residency requirements. You don’t have to have lived in your home your entire life to reap the benefits of Prop. 19. You’re eligible as long as you are a qualified homebuyer as mentioned above. The only requirement is the home is your primary residence and that you have not transferred a lower tax base within the last two years.

Blended calculation. Prop. 19 also has a blended formula for those who move to larger, more expensive homes. For example, say you’ve lived in your Sacramento home for 40 years, and the assessed value is $300,000, but the current market value is $800,000. You could either buy a property for $800,000 and keep the $300,000 tax base, or buy a more expensive house, say for $900,000, and use a blended calculation for a reduced rate. Following are the value guidelines:

• 100 percent or less of the full cash value of the original home if a replacement home is purchased or newly constructed before the sale of the original home
• 105 percent or less of the full cash value of the original home if a replacement home is purchased or newly constructed within the first year after the sale of the original home
• 110 percent or less of the full cash value of the original home if a replacement home is purchased or newly constructed within the second year after the sale of the original home.

Makes upgrading/downgrading easier. Many homeowners, especially those over the age of 55 who’ve lived in their homes for extended periods, are fearful of taking the next step in their housing needs because of the fear of increased property taxes. This act helps to offset those fears by providing tax relief. It helps with upward (or downward) mobility, allowing qualified homeowners to find the home that meets their current needs. This is especially important for older homeowners, who may need a smaller, more manageable home, and disabled homeowners, who may need a home with accessible features.

 Need Clarification?  Please Feel Free to Contact Me!  

ROB BAXLEY: 916-208-3896 or Rob@RobBaxley.com