Looking to start out your seasonal festivities with a visit to a tree farm? Here’s a sampling of local options.
ALAMEDA
Speer Family Farms: Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily beginning Nov. 18 at 2453 Hancock St. This family owned tree farm offers a wide variety of locally grown “Wonderland” trees including Noble, Nordman, Grand and Fraser firs, as well as wreaths and custom flocking. In addition to the in-person lot, online ordering and delivery is also available. instagram.com/speerfamilyfarms/?hl=en
BRENTWOOD
Smith Family Farms: Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends Nov. 18 through Dec. 18 at 4350 Sellers Ave. This farm features fresh Douglas, Noble and Grand firs from Oregon and Washington, with sizes ranging from tiny tabletop trees to 11-foot Goliaths. Don’t forget to check out the country store’s assortment of holiday gifts and decorations, or stop by for visits from Santa from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. smithfamilyfarm.wixsite.com/smithfamilyfarm
CASTRO VALLEY
Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm: Open from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Friday-Sunday, beginning Nov. 24 at 7001 Miller Road. Bring the family out for a unique outdoor experience where you can not only cut down a fresh Christmas tree, but also enjoy the natural beauty of the East Bay Hills. The farm will provide everything you need, including site maps, saws and twine. Choose from a wide variety of tree species and sizes. Trees range in price from $119.95 to $130. cvtreefarm.com
DIXON
Silveyville Christmas Tree Farm: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday-Sunday beginning Nov. 24 at 6248 Silveyville Road. In business since 1979, Silveyville has more than 15,000 trees with five different species to choose from, plus fresh-cut trees from Oregon. While you shop, enjoy sleigh rides, duck rides, play areas for the kids, complimentary popcorn and apple cider, or step into the gift shop for some seasonal shopping. silveyvilletreefarm.com/christmas-tree-farm
HALF MOON BAY
Santa’s Tree Farm and Village: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends Nov. 18 through Dec. 23 at 78 Pilarcitos Creek Road (Highway 92). Founded in 1972, Santa’s Tree Farm is a 487-acre choose-and-cut Christmas tree lot with four tree types growing on site, as well as a Santa’s Village featuring fun holiday activities and events for the whole family. Cut-your-own trees are $86.86. Pre-cut trees are individually priced. santastreefarm.com
Ski Lane Tree Farm: Open from 2 to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 2 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends beginning Nov. 18 at 2750 Cabrillo Highway. This family-owned farm has a great selection of pre-cut Noble firs, Douglas firs and silver tip trees, plus wreaths in various sizes, cedar garlands and wooden reindeers available for purchase. The farm also has a rotating service of food and drink vendors like Sam’s ChowderMobile and Mister Softee available on site for all your tasty treat needs. facebook.com/skilanetreefarm
4 C’s Tree Farm: Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends beginning Nov. 24 at 12341 San Mateo Road. This family-run tree farm has served the Coastside and Peninsula for more than 40 years, offering seasonal shoppers a wide variety of self and pre-cut trees for all their holiday needs. instagram.com/4cschristmastreefarm/
LA HONDA
Skyline Ranch Tree Farm: Open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily beginning Nov. 24 at 22246 Skyline Blvd. Skyline Ranch offers 63 acres of Scotch and Monterey pines, Douglas firs and sequoias. Saws and twine are provided for your convenience, but bring your own picnic blanket to enjoy the farm tailgate style. skylinetreefarm.com/
LOS GATOS
Four Winds Tree Farm: Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Back in 1955, 60 acres of apple and pear orchards at Four Winds were converted into one of the first Christmas tree farms in the Santa Cruz mountains. Decades later, the tradition holds strong, offering seasonal shoppers the choice between eight tree types, as well as complimentary candy canes, hot chocolate, apple cider and firewood on weekends. All trees are $80. four-winds-ranch.com/four-winds-ranch.com
Patchen California Christmas Tree Farms: Patchen runs two tree farms, including Old Town Farm, which is typically open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends Nov. 18 through Dec. 24 at 2217 Old Santa Cruz Highway. Patchen’s Rancho tree farm will operate during the same hours from Nov. 24 through Dec. 24 at 17430 Old Summit Road. These farms offer a wide variety of trees and wreaths, plus gift shops, photo ops and visits from Santa, candy canes, mulled cider and wine tastings. patchencalifornia.com
MARTINEZ
Alhambra Christmas Tree Farm: Open from 1 to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends beginning Nov. 19 at 2647 Reliez Valley Road. This family-run Christmas tree farm offers a wide variety of wreaths, garlands and pre or self cut trees reaching up to 12 feet tall. Visitors will also be able to enjoy complimentary popcorn and apple cider. alhambrachristmastreefarm.com
PESCADERO
Rancho Siempre Verde Christmas Tree Farm: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday from Nov. 24 through Dec. 17 at 2250 Cabrillo Highway (Highway 1). Come out to Rancho’s 2023 Winter Fest to find the perfect evergreen, make a holiday wreath, hop on a tractor ride or simply bask in the refreshing coastal air. Self-cut trees, any size or kind, $125. Pre-cut trees $135. rsvtrees.com/christmas-tree-farm-pescadero-half-moon-bay
PETALUMA
Little Hills Christmas Tree Farm: Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends beginning Nov. 24 at 961 Chapman Lane. For 30 years, a visit to this choose and cut tree farm has been a holiday tradition for local families. Choose from a wide variety of trees including Monterey pines, Leyland cypresses, plus Noble, Douglas and Turkish firs. Santa visits, the animal corral and gift shop add to this ever-magical Christmas experience. littlehillschristmastree.com
SAN MARTIN
Battaglia Ranch Christmas Tree Farm: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 18-22, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 24-Dec. 17 and 9 a.m.-5 pm. Dec. 18-21 at 13580 Murphy Ave. Cut your own Leyland cypress, Monterey pine or Monterey cypress, or choose among the pre-cut Nordmann, Noble, Douglas and Fraser firs. On your way out, stop by the festive holiday gift and wreath shop. Choose-and-cut trees are $69.95. Pre-cut trees are individually priced. battagliaranch.com
SANTA CRUZ
Ward Ranch Christmas Tree Farm: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and Wednesdays beginning Nov. 24 at 4820 Bonny Doon Road. This small, family-run farm nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains offers a wide variety of choose-and-cut and pre-cut trees. The farm also offers an open fire, plus complimentary hot chocolate and tea. Choose-and-cut trees are $95. Pre-cut trees are individually priced. ward-ranch.com/
