North Bay Christmas Tree Farms and Lots 2009

The day after Thanksgiving is the time when many families 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 visited quite a few Christmas tree farms last year, and we've linked to the reviews where appropriate. Please keep in mind that, unless otherwise indicated, Christmas tree farm reviews were written last year and some information may be out of date.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 check back for updates soon.

Although we make every effort to make sure our information is up to date, please keep in mind that Christmas tree farms 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 or email them before you go.

Marin

Unfortunately, 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):

• Pronzini Christmas Trees, Terra Linda 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 been buying out trees from their large Terra Linda lot (on Civic Center Drive, across from Marin Center) for a few years now. 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, and everyone we've encountered there has always been friendly and helpful, which is why we keep going back. In Marin you can find their lots on Civic Center Drive and in the Bon Air Shopping Center (off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard) in Greenbrae. www.pronzinitrees.com or (707) 778-3871
• McGovern Christmas Trees, Novato
  The McGovern family has been selling trees from their home on McClay Road in Novato for over three decades. You see their wooden signs all over Marin reading "Christmas Trees, 563 McClay Road." Many Marin families come here year after year for their trees, in addition to Christmas cheer, coffee, and candy canes. There's also a small boutique in the garage offering homemade jams, jellies, marmalades, mistletoe, and gifts. Open through Christmas, 9 am to 8 pm. (415) 897-8377
• 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 weekdays from 2 to 6 pm and weekends from 10 am to 6 pm through December 23. 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 Monday through Thursday 11 am to 9 pm and Friday through Sunday 9 am to 9 pm. (415) 460-5268

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 2007 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 2007 visit to Liberty Christmas Tree Farm
• Little Hills Christmas Tree Farm
  Little Hills Christmas Tree Farm can be found on Chapman Lane, off Western Avenue, in west Petaluma. They're open weekdays from 10 am to 6 pm, weekends 9 am to 5 pm, and closed Tuesdays. They grow choose-and-cut Monterey pines, redwoods, and cypresses, and offer a selection of pre-cut Noble and Douglas firs. 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

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 2007 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 2007 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 through December 20 eve 9 am to 5:30 pm. (707) 823-4547 or www.buddyschristmastrees.org
• Reindeer Ridge Farm
  Reindeer Ridge Christmas Tree Farm is located literally right around the corner from Frosty Mountain Tree Farm. Choose and cut your own Douglas firs and Monterey pines, or buy a fresh cut Noble fir. There are also hay rides, a gift shop, 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
  Read about our 2007 visit to Reindeer Ridge Farm
• Victorian Christmas Tree Ranch
  Victorian Christmas Tree Ranch has been growing trees in Sebastopol for over 50 years. They offer choose-and-cut Douglas and White firs, Scotch pines, redwoods, spruce, and cedar Christmas trees, as well as pre-cut trees. They also sell wreaths, garlands, ornaments, and tree stands. They're open Friday through Sunday 9 am to 7 pm the day after Thanksgiving through December 20. 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, White, and Noble firs, 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. (707) 996-6454 or www.moonmountainchristmastreefarm.com