“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” as the song says, and the Sacramento Valley has a perfect place to pause for some holiday fun.  El Dorado county, home to the fall favorite, Apple Hill, carries its seasonal spirit through winter.   Check out these three activities to jump-start your holiday joy.

Christmas Trees

Choose and cut your own Christmas tree! Hillside Tree Farm opens the day after Thanksgiving and has 30-acres and 6 varieties of trees to choose from.  You bring the spirit, they provide the saw.  Once you’ve found the perfect tree, enjoy a train ride through the farm-a nice way to see the beautiful colors of the Sacramento Valley.

Far-away Food

Can’t make it to the winter wonderland of Bavaria this year?  The Sacramento Valley brings it to you.  Bavarian Hills Restaurant features home-cooked German food, think sausages, sauerkraut and schnitzel, to name a few.  Add to that the restaurant’s cozy fireplace plus piped in German music, and you’ve practically landed in Europe without the plane ride.

Wonderful Wines

Wine country is alive and well in this area.  Nestled in the Sierra Nevada, these vineyards sit on steep hillsides and offer breathtaking views of the valley.  Forty wineries call this region home, and many award-winning wines come from this region.