Things get so busy in October in the Apple Hill region of El Dorado County that shuttle buses are put into play. But from Labor Day weekend until the calendar page turns, you’ll enjoy the bounty without the crowds at 56 family-owned “ranches” between Placerville and Pollock Pines. Apple Hill growers specialize in farm-fresh produce and baked goods, and many court families with attractions ranging from miniature train rides and trout-stocked ponds to petting zoos and pumpkin patches. Leashed pets are welcome on most properties, though it’s always good to call ahead and ask. 

Among the most dog-friendly of Apple Hill ranches is El Dorado Orchards, open Fridays-Sundays September through November and offering rides on the Apple Ridge Express miniature train along with barbecue, desserts, caramel apples, apple cider, fudge, preserves, pumpkins and more. Nearby Boa Vista Farms, open daily year-round, stages weekend craft fairs starting Sept. 3, the start of apple harvest season.

At Pine O Mine, leashed dogs are welcome in the you-pick berry and apple orchards as well as the pumpkin patch, while at Denver Dan’s Apple Patch, Rover can accompany you inside the produce barn as well as on the grounds. Kids Inc., Abel’s Apple Acres and High Hill Ranch are three more places that welcome well behaved canines and offer a broad array of family-friendly  activities. And that’s just the tip of the apple stem, so to speak. For downloadable maps, a calendar of events and links to farms, click here.

Apple Hill isn’t all about apples. It’s a winemaking region, too, with 17 wineries and a brewery on the Wine Trail map. Fenton Harriott Vineyards, situated along the old Pony Express Trail, is especially dog-friendly; so much so that it’s staging a Doggy Date Night on Sept. 10 featuring canine and human food and beverage, a local vendor showcase, live music and more, all benefiting a dog charity. Dogs are allowed in the picnic area but not the tasting room at Crystal Basin Cellars—except during wine club events, which sometimes attract 20 and more visiting canines. Boeger Winery is a favorite among those who appreciate laid-back atmosphere and rustic architecture along with big, flavorful reds. Dogs are allowed in the tasting room as well as in the lovely picnic area. Forgot your pick-up bags? Not to worry; there’s a dispenser on the grounds. Wofford Acres Vineyards counts hard cider among its offerings and has a dog-friendly picnic area overlooking the American River.

Some Apple Hill wineries are open daily, some only on weekends or by appointment, so be sure to check before you go.

Photo Credits:

"Apple Hill" - How I See Life (CC)
"Stack of Pumpkins" - Tom Langston (CC)
"Barrel Dog" - Dave Kendrick
"Motel Sign" - Mother Lode Motel
"Emma" - Valley Humane Society

After a morning or afternoon of visiting dog-friendly farms and wineries, it just might be the perfect time to hit one of the dozens of dog-friendly trails you’ll find in California’s foothills and the Sierra Nevada. DogTrekker’s go-to resource for 48 of these can be found in Debbi Preston’s newest book, Dog-Friendly Trails For All Seasons. This easy-to-use guide provides tips on how to get started hiking with Fido, distances, difficulty ratings, elevation gains and trailhead locations for day hikes in Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer and Sierra Counties. Take a peek inside the book here.

A warm autumn weekend in the Apple Hill region offers a bumper crop of pup-friendly choices. Start by hanging your leash at a dog-friendly lodging such as the Mother Lode Motel, a newly renovated property with spacious grounds on the outskirts of Placerville, just five minutes from Apple Hill.  More intimate is The Seasons B&B, a child- and pet-friendly Victorian on a large lot just a block from Main Street shops and restaurants. Speaking of shops, be sure to check out the Pampering Pickle, a Main Street boutique specializing in gifts and goodies for dogs. For breakfast or lunch, few places can up the dog-friendly ante offered by Sweetie Pies, a Placerville hangout for four-pawed customers whose human escorts like to linger on the umbrella-shaded patio. Up in the Apple Hill community of Camino, Forrester Pub & Grill welcomes DogTrekkers on its warm-weather deck, where local wines and beers are featured alongside an eclectic menu specializing in hearty offerings such as Heidelberg steak, Hungarian goulash, sauerbraten and shepherd’s pie.

Founded in 1987 by a dedicated group of volunteers in the Tri-Valley area, Valley Humane Society in Pleasanton has rescued thousands of dogs and cats who otherwise would have met an untimely death in the East Bay's overcrowded shelters. In the process it's grown significantly—a small staff and hundreds of volunteers provide a range of services to the community: a pet food bank, visits to local schools, pet therapy visits to hospitals and VA homes, reading-to-dogs programs at local libraries and more--all in addition to taking in dogs and cats in need and caring for them until the right new family for them comes along.

One dog who's currently looking--perhaps a camping trip prospect?--is young Emma, an energetic young Lab mix in search of an active lifestyle and people to share it with.

Valley Humane Society is funded entirely by donations, and could really use a little help in this economy if you could spare a bit. Thanks so much for your support--from them and from us!