High Hill Ranch
Orchard · Placerville · California
One of the oldest and largest ranches on Apple Hill east of Placerville, open daily from mid-August to Christmas Eve for apple donuts and fritters straight out of the fryer, hayrides, pony rides, and a hard cider and wine tasting room. A craft fair with more than 60 vendors runs alongside the orchard on fall weekends.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
Color nearby peaks: October 30–November 3
Color builds from October 16 · mostly bare by November 23
Sampled at High Hill Ranch’s own coordinates and elevation (898 m) rather than a regional average.
74 weather points cover California, and the model shifts their answer 3 days later, which is what it takes to match 3 published peak dates from monocounty.org and explorefall.com. This year's weather has the peak running 1 day later than a normal year. How the forecast works
When to go to High Hill Ranch
You get about 25 days of color here, from the first turn through to roughly November 10. At 2,946 ft, it turns before the lower ground nearby.
From Sacramento it is about 43 mi, close enough for a morning drive.
High Hill Ranch on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of California, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
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Frequently asked
- When does High Hill Ranch peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 30–November 3 (best estimate November 1). Color starts around October 16 and is mostly bare by November 23.
- How do I get to High Hill Ranch?
- High Hill Ranch is in Placerville. The closest city is Sacramento, about 43 mi away. It's part of California's fall lineup.
Own or manage High Hill Ranch? Update your listing or get in touch.