A Cozy Autumn Escape: My Favorite Fall Day Trip from Lake Tahoe to Apple Hill

There’s something about fall that feels like coming home. Maybe it’s the way the air turns crisp and carries that faint scent of wood smoke, or how the trees seem to light up from within with their gold and crimson leaves. Every year, when that first chill settles over Lake Tahoe, I can’t help but crave a day that’s simple, slow, and full of all things apple.

That’s when I head down to Apple Hill—a collection of charming ranches, orchards, and bakeries tucked into the rolling hills near Placerville. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to wear a cozy sweater, roll the windows down, and let the smell of apple pie and pine trees fill your car.

The best part? You can make the most of your day without ever leaving one stretch of road. Here are my three favorite stops, the ones I go back to year after year.

1. Grandpa’s Cellar

There’s something wonderfully unassuming about Grandpa’s Cellar. Tucked a little off the main path, it’s the kind of spot you might drive past if you weren’t looking for it, like a well kept secret.

The first time I visited, I stumbled upon their cold brew coffee flights, each one infused with hints of caramel, mocha, s'mores, and peppermint. The aroma of apple cinnamon rolls and apple coffee cake drifts out of their little bakery window, wrapping you up like a warm blanket. There’s nothing fancy here—just genuine people baking from scratch and pouring coffee with care. It reminds me of what I love most about fall: that sense of slowing down and savoring small, beautiful moments.

2. High Hill Ranch

If Grandpa’s Cellar feels like a hidden gem, High Hill Ranch is the heart of Apple Hill—the bustling, joyful epicenter where fall truly comes to life.

It’s where families gather around picnic tables, where the smell of fresh apple doughnuts practically pulls you toward the bakery line, and where you can find the best apple fritter in the world (I’ll stand by that claim). Local vendors line the walkways with handmade crafts, jars of golden honey, and warm apple butter that tastes like nostalgia in a jar.

Kids can enjoy pony rides, and there’s always something new to see—artisans carving wood, musicians playing under the trees, and that endless backdrop of apple orchards stretching across the hills. High Hill has a way of making everyone feel like a kid again.

3. Boa Vista Orchards

Just down the road, Boa Vista feels like the perfect ending to a fall day. It’s where I always stop to pick up a jug (or two) of apple cider, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The regular cider is crisp and sweet, while their hard cider has just the right amount of warmth for a cool afternoon.

They’ve got pies, turnovers, and fresh produce too, but I always find myself lingering by the cider taps, sampling each variety and chatting with whoever happens to be standing nearby. There’s something about that shared appreciation. The simple joy of something made right there, from the orchards you can see behind the counter that makes the moment feel special.

Lake Tahoe Day Trip - A Day Worth Savoring

All three of these spots—Grandpa’s Cellar, High Hill Ranch, and Boa Vista—sit along the same stretch of road, yet each one has its own story, its own rhythm. Together, they make up what might just be my favorite fall day trip from Lake Tahoe.

So pack a sweater, grab a few friends (or your family, or your pup), and make your way down to Apple Hill. Go slow. Sip your cider. Eat the fritter. Smell the cinnamon. Let the day unfold naturally, without rush or agenda.

Apple Hill is the perfect day trip — but Lake Tahoe is where the magic lingers. From crisp mornings to starlit evenings, let Summit Tahoe Vacation Rentals be your home away from home this season.

👉 [Explore our cabins and start planning your fall escape.]