Northern California Christmas Tree Farms: Near San Francisco, Tahoe, Sacramento & More

2020 is a challenging year — but at least we can bring a little merriment into our homes by decorating for the holiday spirit.

Relive your childhood years by heading to a local Northern California Christmas tree farm to pick out your holiday tree! 

Take a hike through the fields with your family and choose that perfect evergreen tree, whether it be a fir, pine, cedar, or redwood.

The Christmas tree season will be upon us shortly, so now is the time to find that farm where you can get stomp through the fields with a saw in hand or choose a pre-cut tree.

Below you will find all the pertinent information about the farm from hours, types of trees, and all the other fabulous things they offer.

Before heading to the farm, do a little research and decide what kind of tree you want. Every farm does not have every species of tree.

Types of Christmas Trees You’ll Find in California

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase using one of these links. Thank you for supporting this free content!
  • Coastal Redwood is dark green. Their soft branches are better with light ornaments.
  • Douglas Fir is the most common tree on Christmas tree lots. It has a pyramid shape, and the needles last a long time.
  • Fraser Fir offers sturdy branches, and the needles on a well-watered tree last a long time.
  • Grand Fir has a little extra space between the branches and needles that will not easily fall out.
  • Incense Cedar these trees have an aromatic scent, and the branches have flat groups of needles.
  • Leyland Cypress has an attractive shape for a Christmas tree and keeps its needles when kept watered. This dark green-gray tree is perfect for those allergic to sap since it produces none.
  • Monterey Pine is full, bright green trees with needles about 4 inches long.
  • Noble Fir is the perfect tree for those with heavy ornaments. This full, blue-tinted tree has stiff branches and keeps for an extended amount of time.
  • Nordmann Fir is a soft pine, and the needles resist shedding. This tree is super for those with tree allergies since it does not have a fragrance.
  • Silvertip Red Fir has one of the stiffest branches for those heavy ornaments. Tree branches are spaced farther apart for easy decorating.
  • White Fir with a pleasant aroma, good needle retention, and pyramid shape, this tree is one of the most popular during the holidays.

Before heading out, the National Christmas Tree Association has some tips for you!

  • Do you know the maximum height and width your tree can be?
  • If you plan on putting a lot of heavy ornaments on the tree, get one with sturdy branches.
  • Take a tarp along if you are putting the tree inside your car. You don’t want to sit in sticky sap the next time you sit in that spot. 
  • Does the farm net the tree for more convenient transport?
  • If you are buying a pre-cut tree, check to see that the needles are secure and don’t fall out easily when you pull a branch through your enclosed fist.

Guide to Hunting the Perfect Christmas Tree in Northern California

Christmas Trees Farms in the Bay Area

Wonderland Trees

Four locations:

  • Bay Street Shopping Center, 5600 Shellmound Street, Emeryville, CA 94608
  • Alameda Point, 2453 Hancock Street, Alameda CA 94501
  • West Valley Mall, 3200 Naglee Road, Tracy, CA
  • Downtown Tracy, 601 N. Central Avenue, Tracy, CA
READ NEXT
Hiking the Lost Coast Trail: Guide to Trekking California's Wildest Stretch of Coastline

Check their Website for information on each Christmas Tree farm near San Francisco.

From November 23rd and open daily between 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM, this is the biggest collective of Christmas tree farms in the Bay Area.

You can opt for pre-cut trees including Noble Fir, Nordmann Fir, Grand Fir, Fraser Fir, and Silvertip Fir here. You can also order fresh wreaths.

Not feeling comfortable going out to get your Christmas tree this year? Online ordering and delivery are available.

Alhambra Christmas Tree Farm

Address: 2647 Reliez Valley Rd, Martinez, CA 

Check their website for details.

Alhambra Christmas Tree Farm located in the East Bay city of Martinez offers a selection of pre-cut trees as well as cut-your-own Monterey pines.

Pre-cut trees include Douglas, Fraser, Grand, Noble, Nordmann, and Silvertip fir.

Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm

Address: 7001 Miller Rd., Castro Valley, CA 94546

Check their website for details.

Starting the day after Thanksgiving and open Friday through Sunday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm near Oakland is a great place to shop for your Christmas tree if you’re located in the East Bay.

Cut your own Douglas Fir, Monterey pine, Sierra Redwood, White Fir, Monterey Cypress, or Incense Cedar (saws and twine provided) or opt for a pre-cut noble fir if you want an easier Christmas tree experience.

Patchen Christmas Tree Farms

Address: 22217 Old Santa Cruz Highway, Los Gatos, CA 95033

Check their Website for more details.

From mid-November through Christmas Eve, come choose and cut your own tree at this massive tree farm in the South Bay, 20 minutes from San Jose.

Cut your own Coast Redwood, Monterey Pine, Sierra Redwod, White Fir, Douglas Fir, Incense Cedar, Monterey Cypress, or Leyland Cypress. You can also buy a pre-cut Noble Fir or Silvertip Fir. Tree stand installation is provided, and saws and plastic are available.

On weekdays they also offer wine tasting, and you can also shop for mistletoe, wreaths, and holly to further add to the Christmas spirit in your home.

Dogs are welcome on a leash.

Christmas Tree Farms Near Sacramento, Tahoe, & the Eastern Sierras

Anderson Christmas Tree Farm

Address: 1743 Mustang Rd., Murphys, CA 95247

Check their website for more information here.

Starting the day after Thanksgiving and running from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily, Anderson Christmas Tree Farm in Calaveras County has cut-your-own trees (Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, Sequoia, and Cedar), as well as freshly pre-cut Noble, Douglas, Nordmann, and Silvertip fir.

There’s also an area for kids to enjoy hay rides, and you can shop for handcrafted ornaments and Christmas decorations. Finish off your day out at the Christmas tree farm by enjoying a picnic at the picnic area there is available.

Hillside Tree Farm

Address: 2881 N. Canyon Road, Camino, CA 95709

Check their website for more details.

READ NEXT
11 Serene Places to Visit in Sonoma County

This lovely Christmas tree farm near Sacramento (1 hour drive away) is open from Friday through Sunday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Cut your own Nordmann Fir, Noble Fir, Swift Silver, and Fraser Fir — or ask the lovely staff to cut it for you. Saws and twine are provided.

Train rides for the kiddos are available on the weekends, and you can also shop for Christmas wreaths and other decorative elements. Bring some food and enjoy the picnic area that’s available.

Little Bear Tree Farm

Address: 960 Meadow Rd., Alta, CA.

Check their website for details.

From November 21 through December 23, enjoy the Christmas tree farm in Alta, about 1 hour from Lake Tahoe and 1 hour from Sacramento.

It’s open on weekdays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and weekends from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, but it is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Enjoy cut-your-own Silvertip Fir and White Fir, or opt for a pre-cut Noble Fir or Nordmann Fir. Saws are provided.

There’s also a great gift shop where you can buy fresh wreaths, ornaments, nativity scenes, and other Christmas kitsch!

They also sell delicious fudge, cookies, hot cocoa, and coffee for adults.

Snowy Peaks Tree Farm

Address: 30100 Foresthill Rd., Foresthill, CA 95631

Check their Website for more details.

From the end of November through late December, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, you can buy Silvertip Fir and White Fir, choosing your own (saws are available).

If you need to warm up, you can buy some hot cocoa or coffee and candy canes to sate your sweet tooth! You can also purchase tree stands and fresh wreaths here.

This Christmas tree farm is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your pet.

Best Christmas Tree Farms in Far Northern California (Redding & Eureka)

Colley Tree Farm 

Address: Mount Shasta Mall, 1301 Hilltop Drive, Redding, CA

Check their website for more details.

From November 26 through December 22, 2020, enjoy picking your own tree at Colley Tree Farm between the hours of 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.

There is no cut-your-own-tree area, but you can opt for pre-cut trees including Noble Fir, Nordmann Fir, Douglas Fir, and Grand Fir.

Not feeling up for a trip to the Christmas tree farm? You can order online and get it delivered to you!

Best Christmas Tree Farms in Sonoma County

Frosty Mountain Tree Farm

Address: 3600 Mariola Road, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Check their website for more details.

From November 29 through December 22, come pick out your perfect Christmas tree from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM on weekends and 12:00 – 5:00 PM on weekdays.

Cut your own Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, Sequoia Redwood, and Leyland Cypress, or opt for a pre-cut Noble Fir.

No need for your whole toolkit — Frosty Mountain provides all you need, including the following:

  • Saws
  • Carts
  • Twine
  • Netting
  • Christmas tree stand
  • Tree Drilling

On the weekends, kids will enjoy interacting with farm animals and petting the lovely goats, as well as taking a hay ride.

Adults will prefer shopping for ornaments, decorations, and handmade crafts, as well as fresh wreaths and garlands.

READ NEXT
33 Phenomenal Beaches in Northern California

If you get peckish, you can also order from Mrs. Claus’s kitchen: her apple fritters and hot apple cider are to die for… this is Sebastopol, after all, which is famous for apples!

Garlock Christmas Tree Farm

Address: 2275 Bloomfield Rd, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Check their website for more details.

From November 28 through December 21, enjoy Garlock Christmas Tree Farm in Sebastopol. The farm is open on weekends from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays.

You can choose your own tree and cut it yourself from the following options: Douglas Fir, White Fir, White Spruce, Scotch Pine, and Monterey Pine. Alternately, you can opt for pre-cut Noble Fir or Nordmann Fir.

There’s a great shopping area where you can purchase fresh wreaths and garlands, other Christmas gifts, and delicious Twin Hill apple bread and cookies!

Kids will also enjoy the tractor hayride, visit and feeding the farm animals on the weekends, or writing letters to Santa.

Pet owners, take note: this farm is dog friendly!

Little Hills Christmas Tree Farm

Address: 961 Chapman Lane, Petaluma. CA

Check their website for more details.

From the day after Thanksgiving until right before Christmas, enjoy this Petaluma Christmas Tree farm from Tuesday through Friday between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed on Mondays.

Choose and cut your own Monterey Pine, Carolina Sapphires, and Leyland Cypress. Alternately, go with a pre-cut Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, or Turkish Fir.

Sanitized tree carts and saws are provided, as well as measuring equipment and netting.

Their gift shop is closed for 2020.

However, you can visit their animal corral with pigs, goats, and alpacas! The farm is pet-friendly, so you can bring your own dog.

McBurney Christmas Tree Farm

Address: 11197 Cedar Ridge Dr, Grass Valley, California 95945

Check their Website for details.

Open daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM from the day after Thanksgiving until a few days before Christmas, this Grass Valley Christmas farm not far from Sacramento or Tahoe provides cut-your-own Douglas Fir, White Fir, and Red Fir.

You can also buy fresh holly, enjoy the campfire on weekends, and buy a cup of coffee on-site.

McGee Christmas Tree Farm

Address: 3131 Carson Road, Placerville, CA 95667

Check their Website for more details

Running on weekends from Thanksgiving up until they run out of trees, from 8:00 AM until dark, the McGee Christmas Tree Farm in El Dorado County is a great place to buy your tree this year.

Douglas Fir, White Fir, Noble Fir, Silvertip Fir, and Canaan Fir (Balsam Fir) are available, and saws and assistance are provided.

Leave a Comment