North Bay Christmas Tree Farms and Lots 2011

The day after Thanksgiving is when many families start to think about getting their Christmas tree. To many, there's no better way to get one than to take the trip to one of the many North Bay Christmas tree farms and cut one down themselves! If playing lumberjack isn't your thing, there are plenty of local lots in Marin that offer quality trees for your holiday.

We've linked to our Christmas tree farm reviews where appropriate. Keep in mind that, unless otherwise indicated, Christmas tree farm reviews were written last year or earlier and some information may be out of date. We'll be hitting the road to check out more Christmas tree farms and share them with our readers this season, so make sure you check back for updates.

Although we make every effort to make sure our information is up to date, please keep in mind that Christmas tree farms and lots do go out of business (there used to be many more in Petaluma and Sebastopol, and even one in Olema), and may be closed due to weather or other conditions. Make sure you call, email, or check their website before you go.

To make finding tree farms and lots even easier, we've put together an interactive map of all locations listed below.

Marin County

There aren't any actual cut-it-down-yourself Christmas tree farms in Marin, although there are a number of well known Christmas tree lots where you can pick out that perfect tree and immerse yourself in that holiday spirit. Here are some of our favorite Christmas tree lots (if you have your own favorite you'd like to share with us, let us know):

• Cousins' Christmas Trees, Novato
  This new family run Christmas tree lot in Novato offers quality Noble, Douglas, and Grand firs, as well as wreaths, garlands, and other holiday products. Cousins' also offers a petting zoo, visits from Santa and the Grinch on weekends, live music face painting, arts and crafts, bake sales, and more. Cousins' Christmas Trees is partnering with Novato School Fuel, the foundation that supports Novato public schools. Cousins' Christmas Trees will be open daily starting November 25 from 9 am to 8 pm. They're at 7416B Redwood Boulevard in Novato. More info at www.cousinschristmastrees.com or (415) 250-6117.
• Pronzini Christmas Trees, San Rafael and Greenbrae
  This local, family-run company owns its own Christmas tree farms in Oregon and trucks them down to its retail operations in Marin and Sonoma counties. We've bought our trees from their large lot on Civic Center Drive, across from Marin Center, several times. They always have a great selection of fresh Noble, Douglas, and Grand firs, as well as ornaments, wreaths, tree accessories, and holiday decor. Santa Claus often makes an appearance, too. Make sure you pick up one of their commemorative coffee mugs when you buy your tree. In Marin you can find their lots at 3501 Civic Center Drive in San Rafael and at 50 Bon Air Center (off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard) in Greenbrae. www.pronzinitrees.com or (707) 778-3871
• Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise Christmas Tree Lot, St. Vincent Drive and Highway 101, Marinwood
  The Rotary Club Christmas tree lot at St. Vincent's is a holiday tradition in Marin. They offer freshly cut fir trees, wreaths, and garlands.They're open starting November 26 on weekdays from 4 to 6 pm and weekends from 9 am to 6 pm. Sales benefit the St. Vincent's School for Boys, local Boy Scouts, the North Bay Children's Center, local schools, and more worthy causes! (415) 883-0800
• San Rafael High School Christmas Tree Lot
  Help support academic, sports, and safe graduation programs at San Rafael High School! A tradition since 1990, the lot is student and parent operated, and offers trees, garlands, misteltoe, tree stands, wreaths, and more. It's located at the school's football field and is open starting November 25 Monday through Thursday 11 am to 9 pm and Friday through Sunday 9 am to 9 pm. San Rafael High School is located at 185 Mission Avenue in San Rafael. (415) 460-5268 or sanrafael.srcs.org/treelot
• Don's Christmas Trees, Ignacio
  Don's Trees has been setting up shop here in Ignacio for many years. This lot is located adjacent to California Bay Nurseries, right off 101 at 399 Entrada Drive, near Dollhouses, Trains and More. (415) 382-1231

To get that real Christmas tree farm experience, you're going to have to get in the car and head north on 101 to Sonoma County. Petaluma and Sebastopol are both convenient to Marin families, and have many Christmas tree farms to choose from. At many you'll also find holiday boutiques and gift shops, as well as farm animals, crafts, and maybe even Santa himself!

Petaluma

The rural area of west and north Petulama is home to a few Christmas tree farms, mostly offering Monterey pines as well as fresh-cut Douglas and Noble firs.

• Larsen's Christmas Tree Farm
  Larsen's is close to downtown Petaluma, and offers Monterey pines, redwoods, cypress, and Douglas firs to cut down, along with pre-cut Noble and Douglas firs. Open Fridays 10 am to dusk and weekends 9 am to dusk. Free coffee, hot cider, and baked goods for sale. Located on Marshall Avenue between Skillman Land and Magnolia Avenue. (707) 762-6317.
  Read about our visit to Larsen's.
• Liberty Christmas Tree Farm
  Liberty Christmas Tree Farm, located on Liberty Road in northwest Petaluma, has Monterey pines and pre-cut Douglas and Noble firs. Free hot apple cider in the shed, and baby farm animals to visit and pet. Open weekends and the day after Thanksgiving 9 am to 5 pm. www.libertychristmastreefarm.com or (707) 490-6011.
  Read about our visit to Liberty Christmas Tree Farm
• Little Hills Christmas Tree Farm
  Little Hills Christmas Tree Farm can be found at 961 Chapman Lane, off Western Avenue, in west Petaluma. They're open weekdays from 10 am to 6 pm and weekends from 9 am to 5 pm; you can hunt for choose-and-cut trees until 5 pm. They grow choose-and-cut Monterey pines, redwoods, and cypresses, and offer a selection of pre-cut Noble and Douglas firs and flocked trees. They also have farm animals to visit, a gift shop, tree accessories, and more. Santa visits on weekends, including the day after Thanksgiving, from 10 am to 4 pm. You can also print out a coupon for $3 off any tree. More info:(707) 763-4678 or www.littlehillschristmastree.com
  Read about our visit to Little Hills.

Sebastopol

Located north of Petaluma, the western Sonoma County town of Sebastopol offers Christmas tree farms, as well as its famous Gravenstein apples and more.

• Frosty Mountain Tree Farm
  Located at 3600 Mariola Road, Frosty Mountain Tree Farm grows Douglas firs, Monterey pines, and Sequioa redwoods to choose and cut. You can also go on a tractor-drawn hay ride and visit Santa's Workshop, a large Christmas boutique in an old apple-packing barn. Mrs. Klaus' Kitchen is there, too, serving up hot cider, popcorn, apple fritters, and cookies. Frosty Mountain Tree Farm is open weekdays from noon to 5 pm and weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. (707) 829-2351 or www.frostymountaintreefarm.com.
  Read about our visit to Frosty Mountain Tree Farm.
• Garlock Tree Farm
  Garlock Tree Farm has been growing trees in Sebastopol since 1966. They can be found at 2275 Bloomfield Road in the southern part of Sebastopol. Garlock's grows Douglas and White firs, Monterey and Scotch pines, and redwoods, and they also offer pre-cut Noble firs. They also offer free horse-drawn carriage rides through their 10-acre farm, as well as free coffee, candy canes, and a gift shop. Fridays noon to 5 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 9 am to 5 pm. (707) 823-4307 or www.garlocktreefarm.com
  Read about our visit to Garlock Tree Farm.
• Grandma Buddy's Christmas Tree Farm
  Located north of Sebastopol, at 8574 Graton Road, off Highway 116. They offer choose-and-cut Douglas firs, as well as pre-cut trees, as well as garlands and wreaths. They also have a miniature Christmas village and complimentary hot chocolate and candy canes. Open the day after Thanksgiving through December 22 9 am to 5:30 pm. (707) 823-4547 or www.buddyschristmastrees.org
• Reindeer Ridge Tree Farm
  Reindeer Ridge Christmas Tree Farm is located literally right around the corner from Frosty Mountain Tree Farm, at 3500 Mariola Road. Choose and cut your own Douglas, White, and Grand firs, sequoias, and Monterey pines, or buy a fresh cut Noble fir. There are also hay rides, a gift shop, a big tractor tire swing, a children's train ride, and a snack bar serving grilled sausages, popcorn, and hot cider. Weekdays 11 am to 6 pm, weekends 9 am to 6 pm. (707) 829-1569 or www.reindeerridge.com
  Read about our visit to Reindeer Ridge Farm
• Victorian Christmas Tree Ranch
  Victorian Christmas Tree Ranch has been growing trees in Sebastopol for nearly 40 years. They offer choose-and-cut Douglas firs and incense cedars, as well as pre-cut Noble firs. They also sell wreaths, garlands, ornaments, and tree stands. They're open 3–7 pm Monday through Friday and 9 am to 7 pm Saturday and Sunday from November 26 through January 6. They also offer a petting zoo, haystack, free pumpkin bread and hot cider, and natural pasture-raised meats from Victorian Farmstead for sale. Make sure you download their coupon for 10% off your tree. Victorian Christmas Tree Ranch is at 1220 Gravenstein Highway North (116), at Mill Station Road. (707) 823-0831 or www.victrees.com

Sonoma

• The historic town of Sonoma is home to one Christmas tree farm: Moon Mountain Christmas Tree Farm. They grow Douglas and Noble firs and Scotch pines, and do not offer pre-cut trees. You choose your tree, and they cut it and carry it back to your car for you. You can find them on 1550 Moon Mountain Drive, off Highway 12. Open Friday through Sunday, 9 am to 4:30 pm through December 18. (707) 996-6454 or www.moonmountainchristmastreefarm.com