Frequently Asked Questions

Ponderosa Ridge Bed & Breakfast

2360 Union Ridge Rd, Placerville, CA 95667
Elevation: 2,650'
38.74466 Latitude -120.74923 Longitude
N38o44'40" W120o44'57"

Are you open year-round?
Yes.

Do you have a pet friendly room?
Yes, book Rover's Room, which is our pet friendly room. It is our largest and the most private room and a private entrance. There are dog treats in the room and dog-food bowls for your convenance.

How many rooms and what size is the beds?
We have three rooms and all rooms have ONE queen bed. Maximum occupancy is 2 people per room.

Can children stay?
No. Our place is not suited for young children.

What time is breakfast served?
We serve at 9:00am at the large dining table.

Can we be served in our rooms?
No room service. However, we can seat you outside at our outdoor dining table, weather permitting.

Is your place non-smoking?
Yes. This is a non-smoking environment. We have to be very aware of the fire danger. We are located in a wooded area. No smoking of ANYTHING, yes, that includes vaping.

Are there stairs into the bed & breakfast?
Yes, there is a grand staircase made of stone with no railing to enter the bed and breakfast at the main level. Then there are stairs with a railing to the large game room. And Rover's Room has stairs with a railing up to the main level.

Where is your orchard?
Our apple orchard is on property and borders Carson Rd. We have a dirt road to walk to the orchard. Please wear appropriate shoes.

Is there wildlife at your place?
Oh, my yes: birds of all kinds, deer/bucks, raccoons, coyotes, skunks, opossums, bears, great horn owls, squirrels, and turkeys just to name a few.

Best places to eat near Ponderosa Ridge Bed and Breakfast

Where is the dog friendly restaurant?
Smith Flat House
Reservations recommended (530) 621-1003
2021 Smith Flat Rd, Placerville, CA

Where is the best place to have dinner?
Our three favorites are:
Smith Flat House
Reservations recommended (530) 621-1003
2021 Smith Flat Rd, Placerville, CA

Independent Restaurant & Bar
Reservations recommended (530) 344-7645
629 Main St, Placerville, CA

Cascada
(530) 344-7757
384 Main St, Placerville, CA

What kind of restaurants are in Placerville, CA?
Placerville has a wide variety of places to eat; American, Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Italian and fast food, just to name a few.
Note: My favorites are: Smith Flat House, Bricks on Main, Main Street Melters, Iron Wok, and The Independent Restaurant & Bar.

Surrounding Area

How close are the wineries?
We are next door to Smoky Ridge. Lava Cap Winery, Lewis Grace, Fenton Herriott Vineyards and Boeger Winery are just a few that are very close by.

How close are the other apple farms?
We are close to a lot of farms: Smokey Ridge Ranch & Winery, Ables Apples Acres, Boa Vista, Pine-O-Mine and Gold Bud, just to name a few.

What are the hours of other Apple Hill Farms?
Great question. I don't keep track of all 50+ farms.
Please see the Apple Hill website: https://applehill.com/
Or call (530) 644-7692 Note: If you call ... you may have to leave a
message. The office is not staffed all the time during the off season.

Are you located in the Apple Hill area?
Yes. We are surrounded by the ranches. We are also part of the Apple Hill Growers Association as their 1st and only official bed & breakfast.

Is there an easy hiking trail near you?
Yes, the El Dorado Trail is paved and not too hilly and dog friendly.
http://eldoradotrail.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/El-Dorado-Trail-in-Placerville-02.pdf

Is Historic Downtown Placerville close by?
Yes, it is 3.8 miles from our place. It is a great place to visit, fun and unique stores to shop in. A must visit is the Placerville Hardware Store.

Where can I gold pan?
You can dip your pans in the South Fork of the American River it's probably your best bet to prospect for gold.
Also ask the Placerville Hardware, they sell gold panning necessities.

What is the risk of fire in Placerville, CA?
Placerville is heavily wooded. There is always concern of fires.

Info on Placerville, CA

Was gold first discovered in Placerville?
It was in Coloma, where James Marshall built a sawmill on the South Fork of the American River for his employer John Sutter. On January 24, 1848, Marshall discovered flecks of gold in the tail race of the mill, and when the news spread, the great Gold Rush began.

How did Placerville get its name?
The original name, Old Dry Diggings (1848), was because the miners had to take their cart/bucket of dirt down to the river to "pan" for the gold.

In 1849, three men were accused of cattle rusting and murder by an impromptu "jury". Because there were no police at that time, someone from the crowd yelled, "Hang them". So, they did. That was the first known hanging. Rumored that there were several more hangings. Giving way for the town to be known as Hangtown.

Hangtown became the 3rd largest town in California by 1854. Churches and the Temperance League campaigned for a better, less morbid name. The name was changed 1854, when city was incorporated. "They named it Placer[ville] because of the placer gold," said Marilyn Ferguson, of the Fountain Tallman Museum in Placerville. It was the placer gold mining and the Gold Rush that lured people to the city.

Placerville is registered as California Historical Landmark #701.

Where is Placerville, CA?
Placerville is located off of Hwy 50, (44 miles east of Sacramento, 60 miles west of South Lake Tahoe). It is in El Dorado County. The zip code is 95667.

Is there an airport in Placerville, CA?
Yes, it is a small reginal airport.

Does it snow in Placerville, CA?
Placerville town center elevation is at 1,867'. When the snow level is at 2,000', Placerville town center will get a light dusting of snow. Parts of rural Placerville are above 2,000'and will get 5-9" of snow.

What cities are near Placerville, CA?
Camino, Pollock Pines, Diamond Springs

What is there to do in Placerville, CA?
So many wonderful areas to explore.
Lots of hiking trails in the El Dorado National Forest (most are dog friendly)
White Water Rafting on the American River
Fishing (Ice House Reservoir, Union Valley Reservoir and Loon Lake)
Shopping in the Historic Downtown Placerville
Wine Tasting / Craft Beer Tasting / Hard Cider Tasting
Apple Hill Ranches
Museums

What is the average weather in Placerville, CA?
Winter (Dec – Feb) 32 - 57 degrees
Spring (Mar – May) 38 - 75 degrees
Summer (Jun – Aug) 57 - 100 degrees
Fall (Sept – Nov) 53 - 65 degrees