The day after Thanksgiving we loaded up the car and headed North-East from Sacramento into Apple Hill. It’s about an hour drive from our house to the Placerville and El Dorado County area. We had been looking forward to selecting and cutting down our own Christmas tree all week!

Apple Hill is essentially an outdoor playground for families with countless farms that welcome visitors. During the fall season there’s pumpkins patches and apple picking, and then beginning in late November - December the Christmas tree and holiday season begins. The colorful fall foliage is still very prominent during the last week of November and sometimes there’s snow as early as December.

Apple Hill is one of the few places in Northern California where you can go into the Christmas tree farms and cut down your own tree. The Christmas tree varieties include Douglas Fir, White Fir, Canaan, Noble Fir and Silvertip. Most of the Christmas tree farms open the day after Thanksgiving and stay open until the week of Christmas (or until they sell out).

This Apple Hill holiday guide includes the best u-cut Christmas tree farms, winter activities, foods to eat and insider tips.

Apple Hill Farms to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

McGee Christmas Tree Farm

All of the Christmas tree photos in this blog post were taken during our trip to the McGee Christmas Tree Farm. It was voted the #1 Tree Farm in El Dorado County and we had a great experience.

We planned on going the first opening day of the season because we wanted there to be plenty of great trees to select from. The staff was very friendly and helpful and they assisted us in finding the perfect Silvertip variety Christmas tree.

You can choose to either have a staff member cut down the tree for you once you’ve selected one, or you can opt to cut the tree yourself. You must use the saws provided by the staff (no extra charge) and they also have to show you exactly where to cut on the trunk. They’re an eco-friendly farm and it’s important to cut the tree in a healthy spot so that it grows back the next year.

At McGee’s they have a machine that wraps up the tree in rope to protect it for safe travel (no extra charge for service or rope). You will need to bring rope to tie your tree to the top of your car.

McGee’s welcomes families with children and dogs on leash, it’s a great place for family holiday photos!

Apple Country Christmas Trees

On-site you can enjoy fresh hot spiced cider and there’s picnic tables available to enjoy a meal. Families are encouraged to explore the farm grounds and take photos.

This choose and cut tree farm is about 8 miles from Placerville in El Dorado County along the historic Highway 50. All Christmas trees cost $70.00, no matter the height or variety. Bow saws are provided.

Opening day is: Friday after Thanksgiving.

Located at: 2721 Mace Rd, Camino, CA 95709.

Crystal Creek Tree Farm

This 20 acre Christmas tree farm offers a wide variety of trees including White Fir, Silver Swift Fir, Silver Tip, Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, Blue Spruce, Nordmann Fir, and Grand Fir. All trees are $75 regardless of size or species. This is a cash or check only business.

On the farm you can explore the nature paths leading to the frog pond and bear cave, and also enjoy lunch in the picnic area.

Opening day is: November 21st.

Located at: 2019 Cable Road, Camino, CA 95709.

Harris Family Farm

In order to control the crowds, the Harris Tree Farm is requiring reservations to cut your own tree (updated for 2020 season).

The Pie Barn is open without any appointment required, and you can also purchase baked goods, hot lunch, apple cider, jam, wreaths and ornaments. There’s also a campground on-site for overnight stays. Most years the Harris Farm has a meet and greet with Santa for the kiddos too.

Opening day is: Friday after Thanksgiving.

Located at: 2640 Blair Road, Pollock Pines, CA 95726.

Indian Rock Tree Farm

At Indian Rock they offer u-cut tree varieties such as Silver Tip, White Fir, Incense Cedar, Douglas Fir, Blue Spruce, and Specialty Firs. Pets are welcome on leash and they have family-friendly exhibits for children.

Opening day is: November 21st.

Located at: 3800 North Canyon Road, Camino, CA 95709.

Goyette’s North Canyon Ranch

During the fall season Goyette’s has apple picking and a pumpkin patch, and then the Christmas tree season begins in late November.

Opening day is: Friday after Thanksgiving.

Located at: 3825 North Canyon Road, Camino, CA 95709.

Hacienda Orchards

If you’re looking for a very specific height and variety Christmas tree, Hacienda offers a unique service where you can tag a tree early and cut it at a later date. Bow saws are provided and you can choose to cut the tree yourself or receive assistance to cut and carry.

This farm is organic and tree varieties available include Silver Tip, Noble Fir, Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine and White Firs. Twine is provided to secure tree to vehicle if needed. Dogs on leash are welcome too!

Opening day is: Friday after Thanksgiving.

Located at: 2900 Barkley Rd Camino, CA 95709.

Hillside Tree Farm

Enjoy all the scenery and fall colors aboard a train on the Apple Ridge Railroad. This fun attraction is located across the road from the Hillside Tree Farm.

Hillside has a large selection of trees on their 30 acre farm including Nordman Fir, Noble Fir, Swift Silver (Rocky Mt.), Fraser Fir and White Fir. Saws are provided and there’s assistance available to cut and carry for you if desired.

Christmas wreathes, tree tying assistance and picnic tables are all available as well. Dogs on leash are welcome and credit cards are accepted.

Opening day is: Friday after Thanksgiving.

Located at: 2881 N Canyon Rd, Camino, CA 95709.

O’Halloran’s Apple Trail Ranch

In the autumn season this ranch has apple picking and pumpkin patches. O’Halloran’s Christmas tree varieties include Silver Tip, White Fir, Blue Spruce, Noble Fir and Frasier Fir. There’s a grassy picnic area and a shop with produce and sweets on-site.

Opening day is: Friday after Thanksgiving.

Located at: 2261 Cable Road, Camino, CA 95709.

Silverthorn Meadows

If you’re looking for an extra big Christmas tree, Silverthorn Meadows has them. Tree varieties available are Silver Tips, Noble, White Douglas and Grand Firs. Their helpers will assist you in cutting and bagging your tree. Farm is open on weekends.

Opening day is: Friday after Thanksgiving.

Located at: 3099 North Canyon Road, Camino, California 95709.

Rapetti Farms

Rapetti Farms is listed on Apple Hill’s website as open to the public, but according to their website they only have trees available for select customers. They have a high demand of trees and a limited supply, so best to skip this farm.

Half Moon Bay Christmas Tree Farms

If you live closer to the San Francisco Bay Area, Half Moon Bay is also a great place to choose and cut your own tree. I grew up in the coastal farming town of Half Moon Bay and every year my dad would cut down a fresh Christmas tree from a local farm.

See my guide to Half Moon Bay family farms on the blog.

Things to Do in Apple Hill in November & December

Usually when we make the trip up to Apple Hill, we spend the day exploring, enjoying the sights and eating yummy foods. Below I have some of our favorite Apple Hill spots to frequent during the end of fall, winter and holiday season.

Picnic Lunch at Abel’s Apple Acres

Before we got our Christmas tree at McGee’s Farm, we enjoyed a picnic lunch at Abel’s Apple Acres. They have a BBQ food stand on the farm, caramel apples, pies and apple cider available to purchase.

For families with children they have a maze, gemstone mining and fun photo opportunities. Booths are set up selling locally made crafts and sweets.

Apple Donut Ice Cream Sandwich From Boa Vista Orchards

On our drive up to McGee’s we passed by Boa Vista and it was filled with patrons enjoying picnic lunches and photos on the farm. They are famous for their apple donut ice cream sandwich, hard apple cider brewed on-site and hot lunches.

Wine Tasting in Apple Hill

Apple Hill is not only famous for family farms, there’s also several world-class vineyards and wineries. Some wine tasting experiences are best for adult only, and other wineries welcome families with children.

Bring Home Some Apple Hill Homemade Pies

There’s something so comforting about homemade pies and there’s a long list of Apple Hill bake shops. You’ll find more flavors and varieties of fruit pies, cream pies and old classics.

Apple Hill Visitor Center

If you’re new to Apple Hill and you’re looking for a place to start exploring, you can swing by the Apple Hill Visitor Center on Carson Road. They’re open 8am to 6pm daily and they have the most updated information on what is available on the farms. Exact address is 2952 Carson Rd, Placerville, CA 95667.