Mandarin Season in Placer County

During the winter months, the Placer County hills have a distinctive orange glow, not from fall leaf foliage, but ripening Mountain Mandarin crops. From Auburn to Loomis, Lincoln to Penryn and Newcastle, the warm days and cool nights make this area a perfect place to grow the sweet, juicy, seedless fruit.

Each year the Mountain Mandarin season begins with the Mandarin Festival. Held the weekend before Thanksgiving, this popular event includes local mandarin growers, cooking demonstrations, contests, quality hand-crafted items, kids activities and live music.

Many Mountain Mandarin Growers Association (MMGA) members welcome visitors to their orchards throughout the winter months. During Orchard Days, which take place the first and third weekends of December, visitors can purchase mandarins and mandarin products along with arts and crafts just in time for holiday giving. There's also food, farm animals, and other family fun.