Daffodil Hill

Maybe it was just a bad year to go, what with the drought and all. There were more daffodils that you’d ever see anywhere else, but the grounds still had a lot of bare space. In the promo pics, its wall to wall daffys!
It was nice, but it gets insanely busy and was a huge hassle to get to and to get out of. Not worth the effort, in my opinion.

A beautiful place to take your kids and the whole family for free! My husband, 6 month old baby boy, & I had an amazing time exploring the beautiful daffodils everywhere. Peacocks are there to welcome you before gracing the actual hills of daffodils. Our baby Lyle was so amazed and you could clearly see how he loves all those beautiful colors everywhere! Not to mention, the rustic pieces throughout the property gives it such a feel good farm feel that anyone would appreciate. Parking needs a little work but I can tell they’ve made improvements. People who own and work here are very welcoming! We had to make a donation. The fact that they are gracious enough to share this beautiful property for the public at no cost is really incredible.

WARNING 1: More than likely you won’t have reception here. If you are GPS’ing with your phone, make sure you map it beforehand. We have AT&T and Sprint — both didn’t really work out there.
WARNING 2: There are only PORTER POTTIES with no hand washing station. Luckily I had wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and several bottles of water with me.
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We took my mother-​in-​law to Daffodil hill for a picnic. It’s a bit of a long drive, but it’s pretty. We got there at 10:30 a.m. which was a good thing because as we were leaving around noon there were so many cars there! Cops were directing traffic. There were a lot of motorcyclists on the windy roads so be careful if you’re coming from Sacramento.
There isn’t much to do here. There’s a picnic area with benches and a small shop where you can purchase food. It’s near a small town where you can do wine tasting, but my mother-​in-​law doesn’t drink so we didn’t stop for that. We came to daffodil hill, took pictures, checked out the peacocks, and brought food for a picnic. It was a really nice day and we had a good time.

I just love coming up here! Perfect weather, beautiful flowers, a variety of birds, fantastic staff, cool old structures and equipment… what more could you ask for? Oh, yeah — it’s free! How about that?! (But hopefully people will donate to keep this going. There is a small booth that sells pictures, cards, etc. I think it is cash only) There is a place to eat right across the road, but bringing your own food for a picnic in the grove is the best. Make sure to call ahead if there has been any iffy weather to see if they are open, or check their fb page as it seems to always be updated. The window is short — get up as soon as you can. Stop by Sutter Creek on your way out too!

Super cute. Beautiful flowers. Everyone, guests and staff, were clearly enjoying themselves. I appreciate the intention of the space — started by a husband for his wife and continued as a free experience for everyone. Sometimes too many people in a tourist trap irks me. But it was such a lovely moment, I wasn’t bothered too much this time. I expected denser fields of flowers but can’t complain. The animals’ enclosures could use updating (rabbits, chickens, pheasants, doves, burros, etc.) I kept trying to get the perfect lens-​full-​of-​flowers-​without-​people shot which was nearly impossible. Bring the family and enjoy :)

This is an incredibly beautiful farm! We live in Sacramento and it is worth the beautiful drive.
Parking can be a bit overwhelming since it is stunningly breathtaking and it is FREE and had a very limited time span for its season!!! We waited about 30min just to get into the parking lot from the main road. It seems over whelming at first but once you walk onto the property there is so much land to roam that it allows the mass number of people to easily spread out. They have many areas to eat a nice picnic and they even had an area that was cooking bbq, we had come from lunch and it had a very long line so I have no idea what they had to offer or what their priced ate like. We really enjoyed walking around and snapping amazing photos. This is a perfect place for families and I would recommend packing a picnic if possible! Enjoy!

Pretty drive, friendly people and a lot of daffodils! (and people!) I do not recommend going on a weekend. It was just like Disneyland parking lot! It’s about an acre of daffodils with about 1000 people taking pictures. Last time we went on a Friday. It was perfect ! Optimist were grilling up food for a reasonable price and they had a small gift shop. I enjoyed the day… Even with all the people. Wheel chair accessible ., no pets.

Daffodil Hill is AWESOME! It is a challenge to catch it as the window is so small due to weather conditions and the short lifespan of the blooms. We have waited years for the right opportunity and this year we were blessed to go up right after it opened and caught it before weather forced its closure. It was a cool but beautiful day and about one-​third the flowers were in bloom. Absolutely spectacular! We also got to see a great ad-​hoc show with more than a dozen wild peacocks hanging out together, displaying and strutting. Frustrating to catch, but well worth the wait!
This is a video I made from the day. I hope you enjoy.

We can’t seem to catch this place when it’s open. Heard about the early opening this year on Capital Public Radio. Told the kids we would go today, Sunday. We packed a picnic lunch, and just before loading up in the car, I called to double-​check that they are open. The last time we tried to go, we had driven for more than an hour from Sacramento before I called. (At least I learned that lesson.) So, this morning I called, even though the radio report specifically noted that Daffodil Hill is open 7 days a week and will only close because of rain or snow. We checked the weather last night and this morning and it promises to be a lovely, sunny day. The person who answered the phone at Daffodil Hill simply said, «No, we are not open today. But we expect to open back up tomorrow.» How disappointing. I’m not going to pull the kids out of school, and call in sick in order to visit. I understand that this is private land and that there is no charge, but come on, if you’re going to announce your place on the radio…

Love this place. Where else can you see rolling hills of fresh flowers in this area? Also the animals are a plus for the little ones. I have many memories here.

I’ve always wanted to go to this place! I finally got the chance to go and it does not disappoint! It’s a great place to go between the months of March and mid April. It’s only a small window of opportunity to visit this gem, so act fast! Great place to take the family or your significant other. Beautiful hills of daffodils everywhere & the best thing about this place is that it’s free parking & entry! Great photo ops too, I know I took the advantage of that! Also, a plus there are tons of peacocks roaming free around the property! There is a gift shop, and guided tours as well. If you haven’t gone, it’s a must! Check it off your list!

What a pleasant afternoon we had enjoying the grounds of Daffodil Hill. Pretty flowers everywhere, even with people crawling all over, creates such a peaceful, serene place to be! I will admit that it was smaller than I expected, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s beautiful. We parked on the street and walked to the farm… it seemed easier than waiting in the line to park in a lot across the street. It wasn’t too far away and it was a painless walk! We didn’t buy any food there, though it is available. There were picnic tables a plenty for people to have brought their own food or to buy from there, to sit and enjoy their lunch, and it was clear that people are free to bring lawn chairs and blankets as well! Keep in mind that it’s a family place, so to the couple that was acting as if their picnic blanket was a hotel room and that a billion tiny eyes, not to mention all the rest of us that didn’t want to be subjected to your inappropriate activity… next time do everyone a favor and just go get a hotel room! All in all it was a great day… a beautiful ride… to a destination that was well worth it!

What a treat to visit this wonderful park like setting, with the weather being perfect. This place gets crowded so it is best to get there early to beat the crowds and take pics. Plenty to look at, well groomed sea of daffodils. The peacocks are amazing and they even sell snacks.
Be careful it can get pretty crowded coming in to this place. Be patient!
parking can be dusty but not too bad.
You want to go early enough in the season to get the full effect. I went this weekend and It was already past it’s prime, but still beautiful.
As a suggestion, pick up some sandwiches at Andrae’s Bakery in Amador city and have a nice lunch at one of their picnic tables.
Beware of the countess picture takers. It is nonstop!

If you want a little adventure and a beautiful road trip this is a great scene to get away to. The crisp mountain air and the lovey blooms make a great backdrop for family photos. Just a few days ago I took my clients and they loved it!

If you plan on visiting in 2013, now is the time to visit. A few cautionary notes at the bottom of this review:
Charming little place with beautiful flowers. You will definitely want your camera, to shoot pictures of the beautiful scenery you will experience. There are farm animals, farm equipment, a little gift shop, and there is a snack booth across the street (though not sure if open weekdays). There were lots of staff to guide parking and a CHP officer was there to direct traffic. There is a picnic area as well. Admission is free, yet good karma to you if you leave a few dollars in their ‘donation’ buckets.
Now my cautionary notes: please consider your car, your family, and your patience while getting there. I would recommend you take Hwy88 from Jackson in order to get there and ignore whatever directions your GPS gives you. You are in the lower sierras, and the roads here can be narrow, windy, with hills. Ensure your car is in good order, as the drive is UPHILL, around windy corners, and nervous drivers and ‘sick’ cars don’t do well. Cars in good shape may experience a bit of overheating.
As far as your family, those of you who are going should wear sturdy shoes. Flip flops or sandals wont cut it. Once you park your car in muddy/​dusty field, you have to walk (in some cases, over a half mile) through a rocky parking lot The paths are somewhat muddy, rocky, and very challenging for those with strollers, wheelchairs, or other mobility challenges. Lets not forget, this is a «hill» so the paths go up and down and wind around a bit.
If you visit on a weekend, expect long lines to enter/​exit parking, and crowds in general. If you go ill-​prepared, the drive will test your patience, lack of good shoes, etc. will test your patience, and you might not stay too long. Finally, mobile service is limited in the area, so if your car breaks down — you would have to find a yellow ‘call box’ to have a tow truck come assist.
read my other two posts for how you can make this a fun afternoon drive.

If you’re looking for a day trip to enjoy a beautiful day outdoors, Daffodil Hill is an excellent choice. Daffodil Hill is open from mid-​March to mid-​April, but I highly recommend calling them ahead of time to be sure that they’ll be open that day.
What to bring: picnic lunch (they also have a small food shack at least on the weekends if you forget your food), picnic blanket, camera, walking shoes, sunblock, water, and time.
Be prepared for: Spotty to nil cell phone service, much walking on hilly, dirt paths, parking in a dirt lot, port-​o-​potties, hours from 10a-​4p, and no pets allowed.
You don’t want to rush there or back because you’ll be driving on windy roads and the scenery is beautiful, so enjoy it. If you go later in the day on a weekend, you’ll be joined by more people vs. a weekday (or earlier in the day on a weekend). I try to set aside the entire day to drive there, enjoy my time at Daffodil Hill, and drive home (which may include stopping in Sutter Creek or other nearby towns).
While there, you’ll see a plethora of different colored daffodils, Hannah the horse, a couple donkeys, and a peacock or two. There are benches to sit and ponder your surroundings and a number of dirt paths (which you must stay on for the safety of the blooms). They also have a picnic area to enjoy your lunch, which has both sunny and shaded areas. You may want to bring a picnic blanket in case all the tables are taken.
Overall, Daffodil Hill is a great, FREE way to escape the city and enjoy the beauty of nature. I highly recommend it.

First time to Daffodil Hill we went after visiting Indian Grinding Rock SHP. It’s only about 5 miles away.
FREE parking & Admission. Sat 3÷16÷13 was the first day for 2013. It’s a historic private ranch, only open about Four weeks each Spring.
They have a many daffodils here: yellows, whites, white with yellows, many aren’t open yet. Maybe in a few weeks it’ll be better to visit.
Other things to see: Two miniature donkeys (Rosie & Sunshine), some chickens, one horse (Hannah), & some peacocks. Didn’t see the male peacocks showing off-​boo!
Food available across the street, we didn’t check it out. You can also buy some souvenirs too: postcards, peacock feather, magnets, etc.
During the season it’s open daily 10a-​4p. Call before if visiting: 209−296−7048 to be sure.
NO Pets allowed on the main grounds.
Huell Howser went there once.

Daffodil Hill is 10,000 daffodils worth of beauty for zero cost. During than one very special time of year (Spring), acres of property come alive in vibrant colors that will make you want to prance through them and spin around in an homage to The Sound of Music.
It’s probably not worth the trip alone if you’re coming from a long distance like Sacramento, but it makes for a great stopover while visiting the quaint little mountain town of Volcano and its various historical points of interest. Stopover in the town for a meal and a beer at the Volcano Union Inn, then drive up the hill and wander the property with the kids. Best of all, and thanks to the Ryan family (which has owned the property for decades), the daffodil experience is absolutely free!
Bonus: chickens and peacocks are everywhere!

Awesome place for the family to get away and take lots of pictures.
The flowers are very beautiful and there are so many different kinds! Also, the peacocks were really cool too!
Bring your cameras!!!

The daffodils are blooming once again at the McLaughlin Daffodil Hill Ranch in Volcano, CA. I first found out about this ranch when one of the Sierra Club hiking leaders that I had been traveling with made a detour and dropped a group of us here. According to one of the workers the ranch takes up a little over four acres of land and has been run by the same family for well over a century.
On average Daffodil Hill is open to the public for only three weeks out of the year usually from late-​March until mid-​April. The operating hours for the farm are 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM daily during those few weeks. Visitors are welcome to visit the grounds free of charge. There is a nicely groomed picnic area, and if you’re lucky you might even get a glimpse of one of several pea fowls that are raised on the farm.
Next week might have been a better week to visit as there seemed to be a lot fewer flowers in bloom during this visit compared to my last visit. As a general rule the farm opens to the public when 25 percent of the 300,000 bulbs have opened and closes once there are only 25 percent left in the blooming stage. Rain or any inclement weather will close the ranch to the public so if bad weather is predicted you might want to call their hotline at (209) 296‑7048 to get the most up-​to-​date information.
Besides daffodils there are other species of flowers planted and in bloom at the same time. If your eyes are dazzled by flowery images you’ll want to visit here at least once. I’ve posted a few photos from our visit.