Daffodil Hill is fun, beautiful, and serene. You must, however, visit at the time the daffodils are in bloom, which is in early spring.
The 3rd-generation owners are often on hand to welcome visitors. There is no admission, but plenty of donation buckets around. There is ample parking, although it gets pretty crowded on weekends. There is a picnic area too. The daffodils cover a broad, sloping hillside that is scattered with old farm equipment and benches. The vast planting creates a panorama of blooming flowers that provide plenty of photo opportunities. Besides the flowers, there is an atmosphere of friendliness and appreciation for all the work the owners put into this community service. Hats off to the McLaughlins!
From the Sutter Creek web site:
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• Each spring Daffodil Hill explodes with thousands of blooms, attracting visitors from around the world.
• Visitors are encouraged to call the recorded phone message at 209-296-7048 to see if Daffodil Hill is open that day.
• Daffodil Hill is located at 18310 Rams Horn Grade, Volcano, California.
• Daffodil Hill is open Monday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.
• Admission and parking are free, the only charges may be from local youth groups raising funds in concession stands across the road.
Daffodil Hill is a ranch owned by the McLaughlin family since 1887, and is located at 18310 Rams Horn Grade, Volcano, CA 95689. In the early days of the Gold Rush, Daffodil Hill was a regular stopping place for teamsters hauling timber from the Sierras down to the Kennedy and Argonaut Mines, and for eastbound travelers heading for the Comstock Lode on the Amador-Nevada Wagon Road (Highway 88).
Daffodil Hill is open only in the spring, usually from mid-March through the first weeks of April. After that it goes back to a working ranch and is not open for visitors. Mother Nature determines the length of the blooming season each year. Daffodil Hill is not open during or immediately after inclement weather. Visitors are advised to call Daffodil Hill (209) 296-7048, before they visit to make sure it is open.
"For the preservation of this locality, collection or picking is prohibited"
Predominant species: Daffodils
Parking location: At the main entrance
Terrain difficulty: Sloping, varied terrain, but wheelchair may be able to negotiate the hill. Wide paths with plenty of benches.
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