Abel's Apple Acres
Orchard · California
A Placerville orchard that opens Labor Day weekend and stays open through Christmas Eve, with a mining themed adventure and a life-size maze running weekends and holidays. Stop at the activity center for a barbecue lunch between rounds of apple picking on the Carson Road side of Apple Hill.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
Color nearby peaks: October 28–November 1
Color builds from October 15 · mostly bare by November 21
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model, sampled at Abel's Apple Acres’s own coordinates and elevation (793 m) rather than a regional average. Estimates, not promises — check locally before you plan a trip around it.
Abel's Apple Acres on the map
More things to do in California
June Lake Loop
Scenic drivePeak September 26
A 16-mile loop off US 395 threads four alpine lakes below Carson Peak, and by early October its aspen groves turn the roadside gold. Pull off anywhere along the pavement; Reversed Creek and the June Lake overlook give the classic Eastern Sierra shot.
Don’t miss: Reversed Creek aspen groves · Views of Carson Peak · Four lakes along one loop road
Bishop Creek Canyon
Scenic drivePeak September 28
South Lake Road climbs from Bishop into a narrow Eastern Sierra canyon where quaking aspens along Bishop Creek turn brilliant gold, usually peaking mid-to-late October. North Lake and South Lake bookend one of California's densest fall color drives.
Don’t miss: South Lake and North Lake · Aspen groves along the creek · Parchers Camp turnout
Yosemite Valley
National parkPeak September 29
Yosemite Valley's black oaks and bigleaf maples color the meadows below El Capitan and Half Dome in late October, thinning the summer crowds without thinning the granite. Cook's Meadow and the Valley Loop Trail frame the display.
Don’t miss: Cook's Meadow black oaks · Valley Loop Trail · Views of El Capitan and Half Dome
Lundy Canyon
TrailPeak September 22
A trail up Lundy Canyon climbs past beaver ponds and waterfalls through some of the Eastern Sierra's thickest aspen groves, glowing gold by mid-October. The out-and-back from Lundy Lake is Mono County's signature fall color hike.
Don’t miss: Beaver ponds and waterfalls · Dense aspen groves · Lundy Lake trailhead
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When does Abel's Apple Acres peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 28–November 1 (best estimate October 30). Color starts around October 15 and is mostly bare by November 21.
- What is Abel's Apple Acres best for?
- Families who want a maze with their apples.
- How do I get to Abel's Apple Acres?
- The closest city is Sacramento, about 42 mi away. It's part of California's fall lineup.
Own or manage Abel's Apple Acres? Update your listing or get in touch.