Don’t get me wrong, we love Apple Hill, really! I mean who doesn’t, right?? We love the farmers who work hard all year for that glorious fall rush. We love the apples, cider, pies, pumpkins, wineries and all the reasons people head to the foothills every autumn. And we're genuinely happy that so many people come up to enjoy it.

But here's the thing: the foothills have so much more to offer than one very popular fall destination.

The Dairy Barn

This time of year, the sun sets just over the top of the barn that houses the dairy goats. .

If you're looking for things to do in Placerville besides Apple Hill, or planning a fall day trip from Sacramento and want to explore a little farther into El Dorado County, welcome to the Georgetown Divide.

This is one of our favorite ways to spend a day up here if what you're really looking for is a beautiful drive, a few interesting places to stop, some good local food, and a chance to slow down a little and enjoy the season.

You might be surprised by what you find.

First, choose your route

Coming from Placerville or Camino? That's where the fun begins.

If you're coming from the Apple Hill or Placerville area, consider taking Cold Springs Road onto the Divide rather than heading up Highway 193. Hwy 193 is anything but straight up the hill. Cold Springs is abeautiful country drive through oak-covered hills and working farms, and there are a couple of worthwhile stops along the way.

Keep an eye out for FogDog Farm and their self service farm store. Stop and see what's fresh, pick up something for dinner, and continue on your way. There's something pretty wonderful about buying vegetables from a farm you just passed on a country road.

You'll also pass Wakamatsu Farm, the historic site of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Farm Colony. If you're visiting on an open day, it's a fascinating place to stretch your legs and learn a little about the history of this very particular corner of the foothills.

Coming from Sacramento? Don't make the drive more complicated than it needs to be. Come up the more direct route, spend your day exploring the Divide, and enjoy the pretty Marshall Road drive on the trip home.

That's where the day can get especially good.

Come meet the goats at Jollity Farm

We're not a big attraction. We're a little working goat dairy in Garden Valley.

Our goats have names. They make us laugh. They provide the milk that we turn into cheese right here on the farm. And when you visit, you can actually see the place where it all happens.

A lovely note left in our guest book this week.

There's no admission and no prescribed tour. Come meet the goats, wander around, peek into the farm store, and take your time.

Sometimes there's farm activity happening. Sometimes the goats are being particularly entertaining.

Sometimes it's just quiet.
That's kind of the point.

Inside our farm stand, you'll find farmstead goat cheese in the fridge, along with our handmade goat-milk soaps and lotions and a few other little pieces of Jollity Farm to take home.
Because a good farm visit should come with a souvenir you can eat. 😉

Hungry? Get yourself a burger.

If all that exploring has worked up an appetite, Red Rooster Burgers & Brew in Garden Valley makes an easy lunch stop.

Burgers, fries, something cold to drink, and no need to dress up. Just good, casual foothill food.

Sometimes that's exactly what you want in the middle of a day like this.

Take a walk down to the river

Before you head home, stretch your legs at Dave Moore Nature Area.

The easy trail winds through oak woodland and old Gold Rush-era remnants before reaching the South Fork of the American River. It's not a marathon hike. It's a chance to get out of the car, walk a little, and spend some time beside the river.

Bring water, take your time, and maybe sit for a while.

You don't have to fill every minute of your fall day.

Take the scenic way home

If you're heading back toward Auburn, Placerville or Sacramento, consider taking Marshall Road if you are any time near sunset. The road winds along the Divide with beautiful views toward the American River, and if you time it right, you may get a foothill sunset thrown in for free.

Along the way, you can stop at BarmHaus Brewing Co. for a local beer and some time outside, or continue on to José Cellars for wine and the views from their hilltop setting.

You don't have to do both. In fact, you probably shouldn't try to do everything on this list.

Pick a few things.

That's the whole idea.

A different kind of fall day

Maybe you've already done the big fall attractions.

Maybe you're looking for something a little more relaxed. Maybe you want to see where your food comes from, take a pretty drive, meet some goats, eat a good burger, walk beside the river, and watch the sun go down over the foothills.

There are plenty of ways to spend a fall day in El Dorado County.

This is just one of ours.

Come a little farther up the road.

Take the scenic route. Discover a farm. Meet some goats. Find something good to eat. Wander down to the river.

And take a little piece of the foothills home with you. 🐐🍂

Planning your fall foothills day?

If you're looking for a stop that's a little quieter than the big fall attractions, come see us.

We're Jollity Farm, a working goat dairy in Garden Valley.

Come meet the goats. Take a little piece of the farm home.

A Different Kind of Fall Day in the Foothills: Beyond Apple Hill