November News

FREE EL DORADO COUNTY VISITOR'S GUIDE!

The Chamber has a large assortment of guides and brochures and also sells maps and other items and provides information on local attractions. Visit the Chamber's bookstore at: www.eldoradocounty.org/store.html

An Introduction to El Dorado County. This indispensable guide, produced by the El Dorado County Visitors Authority, is crammed with information on shopping, arts and crafts, history, events, accommodations, directions, recreation, relocation and more.  

For a complimentary copy, do one of the following:
1)  Send an email to: tourism@eldoradocounty.org. Please include name, address, email address and phone;
2)  Call (530) 621-5885 (Placerville number) or 1-800-457-6279; or
3)   Pick up a copy in the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce front lobby, 542, Main Street, Placerville.

The Chamber has a large assortment of guides and brochures and also sells maps and other items and provides information on local attractions.  Visit the Chamber's bookstore at: www.eldoradocounty.org/store.html

Free Guides to the County's Ag Bounty

The 2002-03 Farm Trails Guide. For a copy of the current guide, visit the Farm Trails website, www.edc-farmtrails.org and click on Farm Trail Guides, call (530) 647-2363, or write to the: El Dorado County Farm Trails Association, P.O. Box 542, Camino, CA 95709.

The 2002-03 edition of The Apple Hill Growers' Guide, The Cider Press. Pick one up at any of the Apple Hill® ranches or at the Chamber office, 542, Main Street, Placerville. This guide includes maps to the various Apple Hill® areas, the year’s calendar of events, an apple harvest calendar (through December) a Fruit and Produce Guide and an Attraction and Product Guide. The latter shows which places have a bake shop, lunch, picnic area, nature walk etc. The Cider Press also includes a Christmas Tree guide. The Apple Hill® Map displays the Apple Hill® area and gives a numbered list of the member ranches. Orchards, wineries and Christmas tree farms in that area. It also has a fruit and produce guide. It’s free if you pick it up at the Chamber or up in Apple Hill®, $1 if you order from the Chamber Store, www.eldoradocounty.org/store.html.

Apples and Pies under blue or grey skies
The Apple Hill® season doesn't wind down till the end of the year, so be sure to visit to find fruit, jellies, salsas, pies, etc. Look for Thanksgiving apple and pumpkin pies and harvest decorations and pick up some neat items for Christmas gifts.

Take advantage of a midweek visit to Apple Hill® and enjoy the light traffic (outside of the evening rush hour) and hassle-free parking, not to mention the beautiful weather, as long as it lasts.

Christmas Tree Growers Open
Starting November 29, get those roof racks on your vehicles and prepare for a fun ride to the country to cut your own Christmas tree. Some growers will cut the trees for you if you wish. Look for Christmas wreaths and decorations too. Check The Cider Press or the Apple Hill® Map, or click on Christmas Tree Growers for locations and hours of operation. Or call 644-7692.

Handmade Crafts Make Loving Gifts
November 9-11. Have a ball up in the hills at the Veteran’s Day Weekend Craft Fair at Bolster’s Hilltop Ranch, 2000 Larsen Drive, Camino. Call 644-2230 for further details.

Weekends to December 15. Enjoy crafts and live music at Honey Bear Ranch, 2826 Barkley Road, Camino. The ranch offers two luncheon specials daily and has lots of yummy treats with apples in them-apple donuts, apple cheesecake, apple strudel, to name a few. Call 644-3934 for information. For the full Apple Hill Calendar of Events, click on www.applehill.com/site/calendar.html .

Trio
A New Gourmet Deli & Market
Fine Food in the Fair Play Area
You plan to visit the Fair Play wineries and to picnic at one of them, but you don't want the hassle of bringing your own food? Or perhaps you've bought wine already and want to take something delicious home for dinner. Stop by at Trio, the gourmet deli and market at Somerset Corner. Trio offers Focaccia breads baked daily, Panini sandwiches, salads, delicious desserts, pate and cheeses, an olive bar and more. There's also a couple of tables if you want to eat on the spot. Those who live in the area will welcome the items such as Caribbean Jerk Chicken that you can take home in a microwaveable dish ready to be reheated. Trio also does catering and special events. Call (530) 626-7300 or visit www.triosomerset.com.

Trio is located at the intersection of Grizzly Flat, Mt Aukum (E16) and Bucks Bar roads. Open Tuesday to Saturday 11:00am to 7pm, Sunday 11:00am to 5:30pm. Closed Mondays.
www.oakstone-winery.com
www.singleleaf.com

Getting to the Fair Play wineries:
For information on the wineries, and a wineries MAP, visit www.fairplaywine.com. Fitzpatrick Winery & Lodge
New Tasting Room Hours
Fitzpatrick Winery & Lodge
7740 Fair Play Road, Fairplay. CA 95684
800-245-9166/Fax 530-620-3248
Now open 6 days a week, 11am to 5pm
Closed Tuesdays

Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards
"Bottle Your Own Wine"
Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards
8221 Stoney Creek Road, Fairplay CA 95684
1-800-704-WINEOpen daily, 11am to 5pm
November 8-11. The vineyard is having another of its popular "Bottle Your Own Wine" weekends.

Gold Bug Park and Mine
The Gold Bug Mine, Hendy Stamp Mill, Museum, Hattie Gift Shop and Gold Mine are open on WEEKENDS ONLY, November through February, 12-4 pm., Weather permitting. Special tours December through February: 12:30 and 2:30 pm, Gold Bug Park's picnic and hiking area is open October through March 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Visit www.goldbugpark.org/schedule.html. for further information.

Time to Plan for Snow
Elevations in El Dorado County range from 1,900 feet in Placerville to 10,000 feet in the Sierras. Most snow falls at elevations over 4,000 feet. If you're traveling to the higher elevations in wintertime, check road conditions before you set out.

Within California and Western Nevada, call the new Caltrans Highway Information Network's voice activated number, 1-800-427-7623. From all areas, call (916) 445-7623 and speak the number of the route you want information on.

Where to Go for Winter Sports
El Dorado County has two major ski areas, Sierra-at-Tahoe (www.sierratahoe.com), just a short drive or shuttle bus ride from South Lake Tahoe, and Heavenly Ski Resort (www.skiheavenly.com), in close proximity to the lake. Both resorts offer packages and other enticements. For the best deals, a perfect time to buy is NOW. Sierra at Tahoe has teamed with Northstar at Tahoe, offering 2 resorts for the price of one. Heavenly Lake Tahoe has a Thanksgiving Package, a Ski Free Package, and other great offers. For full information about the South Lake Tahoe area (still in El Dorado County), click on www.tahoeinfo.com.

What! Snow Already!!
The Sierra at Tahoe site reports that there was already a light dusting of snow in the area on October 14, with temperatures dipping to the low 20s. That's BRRRR!! for some and GRRRREEAAT!! for others.

Christmas Shopping Treats in El Dorado County
Have fun shopping while enjoying the County's rich history and natural beauty. Look for Antiques (website), Art, Jewelry, Pottery, Sculpture, New and Used books, Jellies, Jams, Pickles and salsas or fresh fruit, Wine and Wine accessories, Items for the Kitchen and other unique items for gifts or personal use.

November Events

December Events