After Christmas, click here to find how how and where to easily recycle or dispose of your Christmas tree! And to recycle used, broken or old Christmas lights and electronics See this page for local options to easily recycle your Christmas holiday lights
Help me keep this page complete and up to date, by reporting any corrections needed or suggesting farms to add!
If it has just snowed; see this page about how to make snocones from real snow! Your kids will love it!
Tips:
- If the name of the farm is blue with an underline; that's a link to their website or Facebook page. Click on it for the most current hours and information.
- ALWAYS call the farm or store BEFORE YOU GO
- many farms have closed in the past year, and of course, we won't know until the season starts and we find they aren't open! Call to confirm their supply, their hours
and whether they have trees, are allowing choose-and-cut or just precut trees; and which attractions or winter activities are available.
All three can change during the short Christmas season, due to weather, demand and the farmer's business conditions! Farms get sold, shut down or run out of trees, and they don't all update me every day, let alone every year. For
more tips to make your trip fun and successful, click here
!
DON'T DRIVE OUT THERE IF YOU CAN'T REACH THEM (by phone, email or find current information on their website or Facebook page! - And please tell the farmer you visit in Santa Cruz County, California that you found their farm here! I need the farmers to realize that you found them here so that they will keep their information up to date!
And if you know of one I missed and want to add it or correct the information, please let me know! There are affiliate links on this page. Read our disclosure policy to learn more.
Updates for April 2024
April 2024:
After Christmas, click here to find how how and where to easily recycle or dispose of your Christmas tree! And to recycle used, broken or old Christmas lights and electronics See this page for local options to easily recycle your Christmas holiday lights
In March, you'll want to take your children to a free Easter egg hunt - see our companion website to find a local Easter Egg hunt - (www.EasterEggHuntsAndEasterEvents.org) . It's the ONLY website that is updated every Easter for all Easter Egg hunts in the U.S.
Christmas tree farms, lots and activities, sorted by county
Click on Resources above, if you need a county map
Santa Cruz County
-
Arrowhead Farms
- UPDATE: November 25, 2017: The owner tells me they are now
permanently closed
24261 Loma Prieta Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95076. - Crest Ranch - Christmas trees-you choose and you cut,
Precut Christmas trees, Christmas boughs, mistletoe, trees bagged, saws
provided, concessions / refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, picnic
area (bring your own food), school tours
12200 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Phone: (831) 423-8733. Email: [email protected]. Open: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm; Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm through December 17th beginning the weekend before Thanksgiving, including Thanksgiving day; We usually close the weekend before Christmas; Please call or see website for specifics. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: From Santa Clara Valley, San Lorenzo Valley, Santa Cruz and the San Francisco Bay Area please click on our link. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Free - no payments needed for anything. Click here for our Facebook page.
Christmas tree varieties:
You-Choose and You-Cut varieties: Arizona Cypress, Austrian Pine, Blue Spruce, Deodara Cedar, Douglas Fir, Eastern Red Cedar, Leyland Cypress, Scotch Pine, Sequoia Redwood, Sierra Redwood, Turkish Fir, White Fir (Concolor Fir).
PreCut varieties: Noble Fir, Nordmann Fir.
- Four Winds Christmas Trees
- Christmas trees-you choose and you
cut, Christmas wreaths, mistletoe, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms,
picnic area, farm animals
19679 Skyline Blvd., Los Gatos, CA 95033. Phone: 408-399-9020. Fax: 408 252-1713. Email: [email protected]. Open: from Thanksgiving till Christmas on Thanksgiving Day from 8 am to 2 pm; Friday after Thanksgiving 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; then Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to 4:30 and Monday to Friday from 11 am to 4 pm; Other times by appointment. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Skyline Blvd between Black Road and Bear Creek Road. highway 17 to Black Road at Lexington Res. Take Black Road 1.5 mi. to Gist, Left on Gist 1.5 mi., Left on Skyline 1/4 mile on the right.. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. PLEASE NOTE: Our busiest times are from 11:00 till 2:00 on Weekends, so come early and avoid the crowds!
Christmas tree varieties:
You-Choose and You-Cut varieties: Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Monterey Pine, Noble Fir, Sequoia Redwood, White Fir (Concolor Fir), and other varieties (call!).
-
G.H.J. Tree Farm
-
2019 permanently closed
16765 Skyline Blvd, Los Gatos, CA. Open: CLOSED we are officially handing the keys to our dad's place over to the new owners, effectively retiring the GHJ Tree Farm apples and firs. Thank you so much for your support and kindness before our parents died on through to today. We were so blessed to have such a community. We are very sad to see the farm go, but are also hopeful for this new chapter in the life of the property UPDATE for 2019: They are permanently closed
- Hester Creek Farm - Christmas trees-you choose
and you cut, Christmas wreaths, mistletoe, Christmas decorations, trees
baled, saws provided, gift shop, restrooms
25507 Soquel San Jose Road, Los Gatos, CA 95033. Phone: 408-353-1511. Open: the day after Thanksgiving to December 24; Monday thru Thursday, 12 pm to 5 pm; Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. Directions: From Los Gatos, Highway 17 South to Summit Road overpass, right onto overpass, at stop sign turn left on Summit Road. Summit Road 5 and 1/2 miles. Right on Soquel San Jose Road Farm 2 and 1/2 miles on right. From Santa Cruz, Highway 1 South to Bay Street exit. Left on Bay to Old San Jose Road. Farm 9 miles up Old San Jose Road on left. Watch for signs. Click here for a map and directions. Open for Choose and Cut Christmas Trees the day after Thanksgiving until December 24. Payment: Cash, Check.
Christmas tree varieties:
You-Choose and You-Cut varieties: White Fir (Concolor Fir), Douglas Fir, Incense Cedar.
- Mountain Charlie Christmas Tree Ranch - Christmas trees-you
choose and you cut, Christmas wreaths, mistletoe, free tree trimmings, saws
provided, porta-potties, picnic area
23100 Mountain Charlie Road, Los Gatos, CA 95033. Phone: 650-863-0744. Email: [email protected]. Open: Daily, Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Eve (December 24th), Weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm, Weekends from 8 am to 5 pm. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: On Highway 17 take Summit Road Exit, go West on Summit Road up hill 100 feet to intersection of Mountain Charlie Road & Summit Road GO STRAIGHT on Mountain Charlie Road (Mountain Charlie Marker on right - GPS WGS84 Datum, N 37.14415 degrees , W 121.98543 degrees ). Follow signs on Mountain Charlie Road 1 mile to Mountain Charlie Ranch Entrance on your left (Historical Marker in front of Log Cabin on right GPS WGS84 Datum, N 37.13769 degrees ,W 121.98746 degrees ) we're on south side of Mountain Charlie Road 50 yards east of Riva Ridge Road. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Click here for our Facebook page. Enjoy an eco-friendly, choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm nestled high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Be greeted by fresh clean air, a gorgeous mountain setting of old Oak trees, tranquil pond & old log cabin. From thousands of natural sculpted Firs & Pines, you'll find that perfect Christmas Tree for your home. We provide saws & twine to tie your tree to your vehicle. .A 50+ year family tradition -Bring your picnic lunch & tailgate. Handmade wreaths & freshly picked mistletoe are also for sale. No credit cards please, Cash or check only.
Christmas tree varieties:
You-Choose and You-Cut varieties: Douglas Fir, Monterey Pine, Noble Fir, Scotch Pine, and other varieties (call!).
(UPDATED: November 13, 2022, JBS)
Comments from a visitor on November 23, 2012: "Love it - we've been going for years. Our friends have been going there for 30 years. We pack a picnic lunch, hot cocoa and tailgate.They have a huge selection of pines and spruces. " 
Patchen California -
No pesticides
are used, Christmas trees-you choose and you cut, Christmas
trees- you choose and we cut, Precut Christmas trees, Living Christmas trees
(to plant later), Christmas wreaths, Christmas boughs, garlands, mistletoe,
trees bagged, trees tied, tree shaking provided, trees baled, saws provided,
gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area
17430 Old Summit Road, Los Gatos, CA 95033. Phone: 408-353-1615. Fax: 800-878-9710. Email: [email protected]. Open: Thanksgiving until Christmas eve Daily from 8 am til 7 pm (under the lights). Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Picking updates: Click here for updates. Directions: Highway 17 From Santa Cruz Exit Summit Road to the right, then exactly 0.6 miles to corner of Old Summit Road (just past Melody Lane). Click here for a map and directions. Open for Christmas trees from Thanksgiving until Christmas eve. We do not use pesticides on the crops. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. Open November 19 thru Christmas Eve
Both Farms Offer The Same Features, Only Choose & Cut Ranch Open Day & Night. Bonfire Daily at 4 pm. Wine Tasting Friday Afternoons. Lots Of Picnic Areas. Dogs On Leashes Welcome. Many Varieties to Choose From. Stands Guaranteed. Forever. Mistletoe & Handmade Holiday Wreaths. Biodegradable, Made-In-USA Products. Gift Shop Open Daily. Gift Cards - Any Denomination. Free Hot Mulled Cider. Free WiFi. Free Photos With Santa. Free Candy Canes from the REAL Santa
Christmas tree varieties:
You-Choose and You-Cut varieties: Arizona Cypress, Douglas Fir, Incense Cedar, Leyland Cypress, Monterey Pine, Sequoia Redwood, Sierra Redwood, White Pine, and other varieties (call!).
You Choose and We cut varieties: Arizona Cypress, Douglas Fir, Incense Cedar, Leyland Cypress, Monterey Pine, Sequoia Redwood, Sierra Redwood, White Pine, and other varieties (call!).
PreCut varieties: Arizona Cypress, White Fir (Concolor Fir), Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Grand Fir, Incense Cedar, Leyland Cypress, Monterey Pine, Noble Fir, Sequoia Redwood, Sierra Redwood, White Fir (Concolor Fir), White Pine, and other varieties (call!).
Living, rooted tree varieties: Douglas Fir, Incense Cedar, Monterey Pine, Sequoia Redwood, Sierra Redwood.
Comments from a visitor on October 30, 2010: "It's 7 acres of beautiful firs, pines and redwoods. They will be open from Thanksgiving through the last weekend before Christmas. They have trees, custom made wreaths and serve hot cider. Each tree root system produces several generations of trees, so the owners make the most of the land they have. They shape each tree once or twice a year and let the ends grow back for a natural look."
- Roaring Camp Railroads -
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
Felton, CA 95018. Phone: (831) 335-4484. Open: See their website for the current schedule (2016 dates NOVEMBER 25 - 26, DECEMBER 3 - 4, 10 - 11, 17 - 23). Ride a beautifully lit holiday train through the streets of Santa Cruz as you sip hot-spiced cider, sing holiday carols and meet Santa Claus. Reservations suggested. Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. Departs from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Choo, Choo, Santa Claus is coming to town, not by sleigh, not by snow but by Train! Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through the streets of Santa Cruz as passengers lend their voices to holiday carols, sip hot spiced cider and listen to musical entertainment while Santa visits the little ones, or the young at heart! Continue the merriment with a $6 MyBoardwalk card good for attractions, arcades and games in Neptune's Kingdom. Bring the whole family for festive fun. Happy Holidays! Buy tickets online - select date for Holiday Lights Train and click 'Purchase' . Here are links to some of their other train ride events:- Chanukah Train
- Rain Forest Weekends
- Model Railroad Exhibit
- Eggstraordinary Easter Egg Hunt
- 36th Annual Civil War Battles & Encampment
- Redwood Mountain Faire
- FREE Heritage Events
- Kids Fare
- Father's Day - Hats Off to Dad
- Great Train Robberies
- The Moonlight Train Dinner Party
- 4th of July Family Fun Events
- Day Out with Thomas
- Summer Gathering of Mountain Men
- Santa Cruz Starlight Evening Dinner and Train
-
Summit Christmas Tree Farm - Christmas trees-you choose and you
cut, Precut Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, mistletoe, saws provided,
snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area
Corner Of Summit Road And Morrel, Los Gatos, CA 95033. Phone: 408-391-4893. Email: [email protected]. Directions: surrounding CT English school, Highway 17 to Summit Road, East on Summit Road approximately 3 miles to farm entrance on right. And for a map to our farm, click here. Open: Day after Thanksgiving, Monday to Friday 9 am to 4:30, Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 4:30; Open for Christmas trees from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. Payment: Cash, Check.
Christmas tree varieties:
You-Choose and You-Cut varieties: Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, White Fir (Concolor Fir).
PreCut varieties: White Fir (Concolor Fir).
- Ward Ranch - Features: Choose and cut your own Christmas trees,
tall trees are available, picnic area,
4820 Bonny Doon Road, Santa Cruz, CA. Phone: (831) 423-6975. Open: Friday after Thanksgiving and weekends through December 23rd from 9 am to 5 pm. Directions: From Half Moon Bay: Go South on Highway 1 about 40 miles to Bonny Doon Road, (2 miles south of Davenport). Turn left onto Bonny Doon Road,. Go 3 miles and the road splits around Big Redwood Trees. Turn left again to stay on Bonny Doon Road at the Bonny Doon Vineyard Tasting Room, Go 7/10 of a mile to 4820 Bonny Doon Road and turn right into driveway. From Santa Cruz: Go North on Highway 1 about 8 miles to Bonny Doon Road, turn right onto Bonny Doon Road. Go 3 miles and the road splits around Big Redwood Trees. Turn left again to stay on Bonny Doon Road at the Bonny Doon Vineyard Tasting Room, Go 7/10 of a mile to 4820 Bonny Doon Road and turn right into driveway.
Christmas tree varieties:
U-Choose & Cut your own: Douglas Fir, Incense Cedar, Sierra Redwood, White Fir, Scotch Pine and Grand Fir
For Easter egg Hunts, Children's Consignment Sales, Local Farm Markets and other types of Farms, click here.
Find Other types of farms:
- Farm markets and roadside stands
- Road trips and camping resources
- Home canning supplies at the best prices on the internet!
- Maple Syrup Farms, sugarworks, maple syrup festivals
- Environmental information and resources
- Consumer fraud and scams information
- Farms For Your Event for birthday parties, weddings, receptions, business meetings, retreats, etc.
- Pick Your Own fruits and vegetable farms
- Festivals - local fruit and vegetable festivals
- Local Honey, apiaries, beekeepers
- Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
Get the
most recent version of
the Ball Blue Book
Find Other types of farms:
- Farm markets and roadside stands
- Road trips and camping resources
- Home canning supplies at the best prices on the internet!
- Maple Syrup Farms, sugarworks, maple syrup festivals
- Environmental information and resources
- Consumer fraud and scams information
- Farms For Your Event for birthday parties, weddings, receptions, business meetings, retreats, etc.
- Pick Your Own fruits and vegetable farms
- Festivals - local fruit and vegetable festivals
- Local Honey, apiaries, beekeepers
- Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
Get the
most recent version of
the Ball Blue Book