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There’s something magical about choosing a Christmas tree at a farm, rather than an asphalt-paved lot. Here are seven merry options — and some don’t even require an axe.
Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm
This venerable 40-year-old tree farm opens its gates for the season on Nov. 23 at the corner of Redwood and Miller Roads. Bring the family and enjoy the great outdoors, as you choose and cut your own holiday tree. The tree farm is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday. www.cvchristmastreefarm.com
Silveyville Christmas Tree Farm, Dixon
Silveyville has been a merry family tradition for the last three decades, offering not only its own Christmas trees — more than 15,000 of them! — but thousands of fresh-cut trees from Oregon, as well. Enjoy fresh popcorn and hot apple cider by the fire pit as you ponder those choices. The 20-acre farm has a Snow Castle for kids, reindeer rides and weekend visits with Santa and his elves. The farm opens for the season on Nov. 24 at 6248 Silveyville Road in Dixon. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saws are provided. www.silveyvilletreefarm.com
Lemos Farm, Half Moon Bay
Take a train or hay ride through Lemos Farm’s groves of Christmas trees and choose from among Douglas fir, Incense cedar, Monterey cypress and Monterey pine. Kids will also enjoy the pony rides, petting zoo and playtown. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 23 and weekends through Dec. 23 at 12320 San Mateo Road (Highway 92). www.lemosfarm.com
Smith Family Farm, Brentwood
No axes necessary. This family farm offers fresh-cut Douglas, Noble and Nordmann firs from Oregon and Washington, in sizes that range from tabletop to more than 12-feet high. Santa Claus visits on weekends. And don’t miss the country store, which is stocked with handmade wreaths, garlands and gifts. Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends at 4430 Sellers Ave.; https://bit.ly/2RqXhiS.
Patchen California Christmas Tree Farms, Los Gatos
Both of these farms — one at 2217 Old Santa Cruz Highway, the other at 17430 Old Summit Road — offer the same seasonal fun. Bring a picnic for a day among the pines. Cut your own tree or buy one fresh-cut. Enjoy the bonfire (held at 4 p.m. daily), hot cider and photo ops with Santa. And there’s wine tasting on Friday afternoons, too. Open Nov. 18 through Christmas Eve. Find details at patchencalifornia.com.
Little Hills Christmas Tree Farm, Petaluma
For the last 25 years, families have strolled through this farm, choosing and cutting their own fresh tree and enjoying visits from Santa and the sheer spectacle of those flocked trees. The farm will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 23, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends thereafter. 961 Chapman Lane; https://bit.ly/2Nsqkje
Battaglia Ranch Christmas Tree Farm, San Martin
Cut a Leyland Cypress, Monterey Pine or a Monterey Cypress at this San Martin farm, or choose from among the precut fir trees from Oregon. Then enjoy a train or reindeer ride, browse for gifts at the farm shop and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. Santa will be there from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 23-25 and Dec. 1-2. Regular farm hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 23-Dec. 16 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 17-22 at 13580 Murphy Ave.; https://bit.ly/2DZFX25
