12 BAY AREA CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS TO VISIT IN 2020
Break out the holly-decked face mask and shrug on that Santa sweater. The Bay Area’s Christmas tree farms are about to open and merriment lies just ahead. This may be an unorthodox holiday season — no smooching under the mistletoe, for one thing. But rolling hillls, fragrant evergreens and some socially distanced Santa sightings should banish any bah-humbugs. Here are a dozen Bay Area tree farms to check out. BRENTWOOD
Smith Family Farms: Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends beginning Friday at 4430Sellers Ave. Choose one of the many fresh fir trees from the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy hot cocoa and cider by the fire pit from 3 to 7 p.m. daily. Also check out the country store’s assortment of handmade wreaths and unique ornaments. www.facebook.com/ smithfamilyfarms
CASTRO VALLEY
Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-sunday beginning Friday at Redwood and Miller roads. Bring the family and enjoy a day in the great outdoors. Choose from a wide variety of tree species and sizes, then cut your own tree. Trees range in price from $55 to $95. cvtreefarm.com
DIXON
Silveyville Christmas Tree Farm: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-sunday beginning Friday at 6248 Silveyville Road. In business since 1979, Silveyville has more than 15,000 trees with five species to choose from, plus fresh-cut trees from Oregon. Sit around a warm fire while you enjoy apple cider, hot coffee and popcorn. Take a sleigh ride, meet the reindeer and chat with Santa and his elves on weekends. www.silveyvilletreefarm.com/ christmas-tree-farm
HALF MOON BAY
Cozzolino Christmas Trees: Open from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday-thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends beginning Friday at 501 San Mateo Road. Choose among noble firs, grand firs and Nordmann fir trees. Wreaths, mistletoe and garlands also will be available for purchase. www.cozzolinopumpkins.com 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 through Dec. 23 at 78 Pilarcitos Creek Road (Highway 92). This choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm offers six kinds of Christmas trees, plus handmade wreaths, swags, garlands, tree stands and more. Santa will be on-site from noon to 3 p.m. this Friday and weekends through Dec. 20. www.santastreefarm.com
Ski Lane Tree Farm: Open from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday-thursday, 3 to 8 p.m. Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends beginning Friday at 2750Cabrillo Highway. This family-owned farm has a great selection of noble fir, Douglas fir and silvertip trees. www.facebook.com/skilanetreefarm
LOS GATOS
Patchen California Christmas Tree Farms: Patchen runs two tree farms, including Old Town Farm, which is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Dec. 13 at 2217Old Santa Cruz Highway. Patchen’s Rancho tree farm will be open from Thursday through Dec. 24(hours vary) at 17430 Old Summit Road. Fourteen acres of space makes distancing easy. Enjoy a daily bonfire, weekday wine tasting with Burrell School, mulled cider and Santa photo-ops. patchencalifornia.com
MARTINEZ
Alhambra Christmas Tree Farm: Open from noon to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends beginning Friday at 2647 Reliez Valley Road. This family-run Christmas tree farm offers a wide variety of trees, wreaths and garlands. www.alhambra christmastreefarm.com
PESCADERO
Rancho Siempre Verde Christmas Tree Farm: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends through Dec. 20 at 2250 Cabrillo Highway (Highway 1). Find your perfect evergreen, make a wreath, take a tractor ride and more. Most trees $95. www. rsvtrees.com
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 Friday at 961 Chapman Lane. For 20 years, a visit to this tree farm to choose and cut a Christmas tree has been a holiday tradition for local families. www.littlehillschristmas tree.com
SAN MARTIN
Battaglia Ranch Christmas Tree Farm: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today-wednesday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-dec. 13 and 9 a.m.-5 pm. Dec. 14-19 at 13580 Murphy Ave. Cut your own Leyland cypress, Monterey pine or Monterey cypress, or choose among the pre- cut fir trees from Oregon. You can also order your tree online. www. battagliaranch.com
SANTA CRUZ
Ward Ranch Christmas Tree Farm: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and Wednesdays from Friday to Dec. 20 at 4820 Bonny Doon Road. This small, family-run farm offers choose-and- cut trees and pre- cut trees from the high Sierra and Oregon. www.ward-ranch.com