Spring is in bloom- and Amador County makes for a great day trip with the family!

By Heather Crivellone

We may not have had much of a winter here in Sacramento this year but one thing is for sure… it looks as if Spring is right around the corner!  With blossoms on the trees, birds starting to build their nests and daffodils in bloom, it’s just about the most beautiful time of year! And with Spring around the corner, make sure you don’t miss out on one of the more spectacular scenes in Northern California… Daffodil Hill (also known as McLaughlin’s Daffodil Hill Ranch). Located in Amador County, just about an hour east of Sacramento, from mid-March through mid-April, Daffodil Hill explodes with thousands of blooms, attracting visitors from around the world. This beautiful area is home to over 300,000 bulbs, including 300 varieties of daffodils and a large number of other varieties of bulbs and flowers.

They open when 25% of the flowers are in bloom, which is typically mid to late March and stays open through the first couple of weeks of April. Call their hotline (209) 296-7048 to find out for sure if they are open when you will be visiting. The latest message was that they would open March 15 (weather permitting).

 

If you haven’t been to Amador County they have fantastic wineries and plenty of picnic areas. Wineries may not be on the top of your list of places to take kids but, many of them do have nice picnic areas and the scenery really is just too beautiful to pass up if you are in the area.

 

Another fun and picturesque place to visit in the area is Amador Flower Farm and Nursery. You can picnic on their grounds, visit the gardens and observe the hundreds of perennials, shrubs and vines they have to offer. My kids don’t really have the patience to explore the gardens with me quite yet… but after some hiking, biking and possibly exploring the local gold mines, I’m sure I can wear them out enough to possibly sneak into my favorite wineries (Karmere and Deaver to name a few). Spring is absolutely beautiful in Amador, and if you are searching for a fun day trip, this is one worth taking!