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Bay Area’s “Cut Your Own” Christmas Tree Farms 2024

Discover seven real Christmas tree farms near the Bay Area w/ hayrides, bonfires & mulled cider
By - posted 11/25/2024 No Comment

Love the smell of pine and got a hankering for a real Christmas tree? Ditch the paved asphalt lot for a real Christmas tree farm with plenty of charm and festive activities to really get you into the holiday spirit.

Updated 11/25/24

2024 Bay Area Christmas Tree Farms

Confirmed for 2024

Patchen California Christmas Tree Farms

Los Gatos | Head into the Santa Cruz mountains to breathe in the cool mountain air and pick out your own Christmas tree on the site (up to 30′ tall!) of a famous ghost town turned Christmas Tree ranch. Pack a picnic and eat amongst the pine trees at their many picnic tables or enjoy your lunch by the pond

And while we haven’t been able to confirm the details for 2024 yet,  typically they have a daily afternoon bonfire, weather permitting, in addition to free hot mulled cider, free photos with Santa (and robot Santa) (select dates), free WiFi and free wine tasting.

They’ll provide the saws if you want to chop down your own tree, but they’re happy to cut it down for you for free if you like. They’ll also carry it, wrap it, put it on the stand and load it for you. Looking for a discounted tree (who isn’t)? In previous years if you came on a weekday; some trees and wreaths were discounted $10, and if you pay in cash, they’ll cover the sales tax. They also in the past have happily accepted competitors’ discount coupons up to $5 or 10%. They have two locations: Old Town Farm (22217 Old Santa Cruz Highway) which opens 11/23/24 and Rancho Farm (17430 Old Summit Rd) which opens 11/29/24 – they are only 3/4 mile apart. Check season hours. – Updated 11/25/24

Grandma Buddies

Sebastopol | Those looking for an Insta-worthy atmosphere will be overjoyed at Grandma Buddy’s Christmas Tree Farm which has hosted many professional photoshoots, including being featured on the cover of Pottery Barn plus it was rated as “The Best Christmas Tree Farm in CA” in The Pioneer Woman. The family-owned farm features amazing backdrops like a picturesque Victorian farmhouse with a wraparound porch, a large whitewashed barn and a smaller redwood barn, plus an intermittent creek that runs throughout the property with bridges. There’s also a mini Christmas village with a train. Plus, you can enjoy free* hot cocoa and candy canes, and of course, choose and cut your own Christmas tree. Please note that the hot cocoa was free in previous years and we expect the same for 2024, but don’t have an official confirmation of its pricing. Grandma Buddies Christmas Trees is located at 8575 Graton Rd, Sebastopol. The farm is open daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm from November 29 through December 23, 2024. – Updated 11/25/24

Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm

Castro Valley | Located in the beautiful East Bay hills, just north of Castro Valley, the family-owned Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm has been offering a unique outdoor experience since 1969 where you can not only cut down a fresh “Choose & Cut” Christmas tree, but also enjoy nature at its finest. You’ll be provided with site maps, saws, and twine upon your arrival. The Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm has has won “Best Tree in California” five times. The trees are hand shaped and the farm uses no pesticides. The farm is located at 7001 Miller Rd, Castro Valley. For 2024, the farm is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29 – Dec. 1) and on the following weekend – Fri, Sat, Sun. (December 6 – 8). – Updated 11/25/24

Rancho Siempre Verde

Pescadero | While you hunt for your favorite tree to take home at this quirky family-owned U-cut Christmas Tree Farm, be on the lookout for their swings overlooking the Pacific Ocean including big swings, small swings, tire swings, rope swings, double swings, triple swings, and more hidden all over the farm. Pack a picnic and climb up the hill to take a ride on their giant swings,, race down the slide, and enjoy your picnic with gorgeous ocean views. Plus, they typically offer free tractor rides, fresh greens and boughs to take home, haystacks for the kids to climb, and all the free marshmallows you can roast over the warm fire that’s always going. Also, bring some cash to make your fresh wreath (just purchase the ring; materials are free or bring embellishments from home). The farm is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 29 to December 22, 2024

2024 Winter Fest – Christmas Tree Festival
Friday, Saturday and Sundays
9:00 am–4:30 pm
– November 29, 30 & December 1
– December 6, 7 & 8
– December 13, 14 & 15
– December 20, 21 & 22
– Updated 11/25/24

Santa’s Tree Farm and Village

Half Moon Bay | Santa’s Tree Farm will be inviting customers to cut down their own Christmas tree. Grab a saw and head out amongst the 487-acre farm to choose from four different kinds of trees. Picnic tables for family lunches have been placed throughout the farm. Tree cutting for 2024 runs from November 23 to December 23. All cut-your-own trees in fields are $96, any size. In past years, holiday activities included costumed characters such as Frosty the Snowman or Rudolph the Reindeer that wave to tree shoppers from the trackless train which winds its way along some of the tree fields. Little ones were treated to a complimentary puppet show and storytime with Mrs. Claus. Plus, in past years, as added bonus, everyone who purchased a tree received complimentary hot cider and candy canes, but we haven’t been able to confirm that for 204 yet. Be sure to stop by the Sleigh Bells Gift Shop, open on weekends to pick up festive holiday decorations.There’s also weekend train rides and Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen will be serving up some goodies. Show the coupon for $2 off any Choose-and-Cut tree.

Tree cutting for 2024
Nov. 23 – Dec. 23
Weekends 8 – 5
Monday–Friday 9 – 5

Train, gifts, Mrs. Claus’ kitchen for 2024
Nov. 23 – Dec. 15
Weekends 9 – 4

Santa 2024 dates
Nov. 29 – Dec. 15*
Weekends 11 – 4
*Santa won’t be here 12/14.

Santa’s Tree Farm and Village is located at 78 Pilarcitos Creek Road, Half Moon Bay. – Updated 11/25/24

Lemos Farm

Half Moon Bay | If you’re looking for a festive holiday day out for the family, Lemos Farm offers not only Christmas trees, but a mini amusement park experience with pony rides, train rides, a haunted house, farm slide, car barn ride, barn jumpers, gem mining, a Dig Zone tractor, and a petting zoo. When you’re ready to pick out your tree, hop on a hay ride to their Christmas tree field where you cut down your own tree or select a pre-cut one. Don’t miss Ol’ Paint, the family’s big painted horse statue which is repainted to sport a new theme monthly to match the season. The farm is open year round, so you can enjoy their attractions or seasonal events like their Halloween pumpkin patch and haunted houses or their Easter Egg Hunt. Lemos Farm is opens Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm starting November 29, 2024, and is located at 12320 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay. “Farm Passes” for kids with unlimited train rides and other activities start at $25.79 for 2024. – Updated 11/25/24