Welcome to our piece of gold country! Just minutes from Highway 50 and dozens of Apple Hill wineries, breweries, orchards, trails, and wedding venues, The Blackbird is nestled among towering trees that feel a world away from the big city grind. Layered with antique furniture, modern amenities, and expansive westward views, this Tahoe-style chalet is the perfect getaway for small groups looking to enjoy all the treasures El Dorado County has to offer. Our home was custom-built in the 1990's by a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer whose care and attention to detail is evident throughout, from the hand-hewn cedar shingles to the built-in bar and library nook. Two large bedrooms provide guests with plenty of space to get comfortable and include heirloom furniture passed down through our own family. Our fully equipped kitchen is ready to handle either a homemade dinner or the bottle of wine brought back from a night out. Enjoy the sunshine and soaring pines by the pool in the summer or a hot cup of coffee on the deck during chilly fall mornings. From art to architecture, The Blackbird's design incorporates the natural beauty of the Sierra Foothills and blends storied past with contemporary comfort. The entire home is yours to enjoy, though we do have a few locked cupboards and cabinets that store supplies and tools reserved for our team's use. The garage is not accessible to guests. We are available and happy to answer any questions or provide recommendations via the Airbnb app. For urgent issues, Janine can also be reached on her mobile phone number, but in the event of an emergency, your first call should always be 9-1-1. Our home is located in Apple Country Estates, a quiet residential community less than two miles from Highway 50. While Sacramento and Lake Tahoe are each less than an hour's drive away, there's more than enough to keep you busy right here in Camino. The Blackbird is ideal for small groups of family or friends attending weddings or other events in Apple Hill and our scenic deck is the perfect space for engagement and bridal photos. The "Apple Hill" area spans the towns of Placerville, Camino, and Pollock Pines and includes more than 50 family-owned fruit growers, bake shops, wineries, breweries, pumpkin patches, Christmas tree farms, and event venues. Keep your eye out for the red apple signs outside of farms—these denote members of the Apple Hill Growers Association, most of which are within 5-10 minutes of The Blackbird. Check out the Grower's Association website to find out what fruits are in season, which farms are open, and where to go for events and activities during your visit. For history lovers, Placerville is less than 15 minutes away and brimming with relics and lore from times past (don't miss Placerville Hardware, the oldest hardware store west of the Mississippi). Sutter's Mill in Coloma—the place where the California Gold Rush began—is a must-see and provides easy access to world-class whitewater rafting on the American River. If it's the high country that's calling to you, the slopes at Sierra-at-Tahoe are a straight, 50-minute shot up Highway 50 (be sure to start with breakfast at the historic Sportsman's Hall on your way up). South Lake Tahoe is just a bit further, where there's always plenty to see, eat, drink, and hike in every season. Our guidebook provides detailed recommendations for everyone from kids to wine connoisseurs, but we are also always delighted to provide more tailored suggestions to guests looking to get the most out of their time in gold country. Driving is the best way to get around Camino, Apple Hill, and El Dorado County. We highly recommend bringing or renting a car with four-wheel drive and snow chains if you are visiting the Sierra Foothills during the winter. We also advise guests to keep a close eye on weather and road conditions before and during their visit; between fires, wind, and precipitation, weather events arrive and change quickly in every season and can significantly impact travel mobility. Search the web for "Caltrans Highway Conditions" to keep up with the latest from from the California Department of Transportation. Distances & Typical Drive Times: - From San Francisco International Airport (SFO): 147 miles; 2 hours and 30 minutes - From Sacramento International Airport (SMF): 64 miles; 1 hour and 15 minutes - From downtown Folsom: 33 miles; 40 minutes - From downtown Placerville: 9 miles; 13 minutes - From Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO): 110 miles, 1 hour and 20 minutes - From South Lake Tahoe: 50 miles, 1 hour The Blackbird is a cabin in the woods, which means it comes with all of the attending natural phenomena: critters large and small abound, including raccoons, skunks, bobcats, deer, coyotes, mountain lions, bears, snakes, frogs, ants, spiders, ticks, millipedes, mosquitos, bats, and all sorts of beautiful birds. Please pay attention to your surroundings and respect wildlife by keeping your distance, not feeding animals or leaving food/trash outside, and making sure exterior doors are fully closed at all times. Seek immediate medical attention if you have an encounter with wildlife that leaves any kind of physical impact (bite, scratch, rash, sting, etc.). The pool at the house is unheated and surrounded by a child-safe fence per El Dorado County code. The kitchen is fully stocked with cooking equipment, but outside of basic spices, for guest safety we do not provide ingredients or perishable items. We recommend guests bring all necessary cooking ingredients with them. Guests should also be aware that The Blackbird does not have central air conditioning. During the summer, opening the windows and using the ceiling fans in the evenings helps keep air moving through the house. We also provide two large tower fans and a portable air conditioner unit to help keep the house cool. While we generally find these mechanisms sufficient for our comfort, guests who require the chill of AC to get a good night's rest may want to make other arrangements.