Sweet Roll El Dorado

Bike the El Dorado Trail Near Apple Hill in Placerville

Woman biking on the El Dorado Trail in Placerville

Step out of the car and onto a biking trail that resembles fall in Vermont. Just 40 miles from Sacramento, the El Dorado Trail in Placerville is a multi-use trail through the county with 12.5 paved miles. There are several ways to start the trail. If you’re looking for a nice bike ride or walk through the beautiful foothills, then start at Jacquier Road trailhead (map) and head east. 

You’ll have pavement for 3.5 miles (7 miles round-trip). Pedal the trail that ascends so gently it’s almost imperceptible (though you may have to switch to an easier gear). You’ll pass over the freeway on a pedestrian bridge (no cars). Keep rolling amid a forest flanked by charming gold country homes, and a forest filled with the earth tones of fall. The pavement eventually runs out, a good place to turn around. Or you can continue onto the wide dirt trail that’s flat and uncomplicated. Flip it whenever you’re ready. A bonus: The ride back is mostly a coaster—very little pedaling required … wheeeeeee!

BONUS FOOD AND DRINKS: Apple Hill near Placerville in the foothills is much more than just a hill—it’s a collection of over 50 local farms, ranches, and wineries. You’re in for a treat at Rainbow Orchards, home of the hot apple cider donut.

Two apple cider donuts from Rainbow Orchards on Apple Hill

The wine in this region is diverse and delicious. Bring your own lunch and sit outside at Placerville’s historic Boeger Winery (reservation is recommended).

Women enjoying wine around a fire pit at Boeger Winery in Placerville Apple Hill

Delfino Farms has a lot going on: It’s got a bakery, a winery, a cider distillery, and panoramic views over the autumn-clad foothills. (Don’t miss getting a slice of the Walkin’ Pie with a scoop of ice cream.)

Walkin

If your idea of holiday cheer is beer, head to Jack Russell Farm Brewery for a seasonal IPA, a hard cider, or some tasty mead. Enjoy it at one of the picnic tables dotting the expansive outdoor space.

Jack Russell Farm Brewery in Apple Hill El Dorado County near Placerville

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  2. Hike the Oursan Trail alongside Briones Reservoir in the East Bay

    Opt for Oursan

    Hike the trail less traveled in the East Bay's Briones Regional Park. The Oursan Trail is pure serenity on a wide hiking path skirting the northern shores of Briones Reservoir.

    View
  3. Most Peaceful Hike of All

    Is this the most peaceful one-hour hike in the Bay Area? It's got our vote! Lake Lagunitas is the smallest lake in a series of five found on the north side of Mount Tam, so it’s got that tiny but mighty charm. Do a 1.5-mile loop around the lake's shore-hugging trail.

    View
  4. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  2. Lace Up for Lacy

    Lacy Park in San Marino is a hidden gem that may very well be the most pristine green space in greater Los Angeles, and a concealed pair of nearby stairways makes it all the more appealing.

    View
  3. Hiker amid trees at Oak Glen Preserve in Yucaipa Southern California

    Apple of Your Eye

    That fall feeling is definitely in the air and on display at the Oak Glen Preserve. Apple orchards and colorful leaves are a bonus, as are the apple cider donuts and slushies you can enjoy post-hike.

    View
  4. Hike San Diego Volcan Mountain Wilderness

    Planet of the Oaks

    Let us count the number of oak tree species in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian: coast, scrub, canyon, black, and Engelmann. Five! The preserve’s Five Oaks Trail is a 3.2-mile hike that boasts all five.

    View