Belmont Patch's Christmas Tree Guide

Wondering where to buy your tree to deck the halls? Belmont Patch has your guide to local tree farms and lots. While many of the farms are located several miles away in Half Moon Bay, the experience and activities are worth the drive for families with small children. For people stuck in a holiday time crunch, check out some of the lots in San Mateo and other cities on the Peninsula.

: (650) 591-6845, 2029 Ralston Ave., Belmont. Open daily, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Living Monrovia Christmas trees cost $35 each. Also offered are flocking, fire retardant, stands, bagging and delivery.

Christmas Tree Jamboree: (415) 378-4387, 531 Bayshore Blvd., San Francisco. Open 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Located conveniently off Highway 101, this lot offers both Douglas and Noble Firs.

Deejohn's Christmas Trees: (650) 574-1594, San Mateo County Event Center, 2495 S. Delaware St., San Mateo. Offers one day delivery within San Mateo County for a small fee.

Steve's Christmas Trees: Offers three locations in San Mateo County:

• (650) 508-8074, 475 El Camino Real, San Carlos. 
• (650) 345-3272, 1801 South Delaware at Concar Ave., San Mateo.
• (650) 697-2944, 1800 El Camino Real at Trousdale Drive, Burlingame. 

, (650) 342-3774, 78 Pilarcitos Creek Road (off of Highway 92), Half Moon Bay. Open weekdays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., weekends 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Heading west on 92 into Half Moon Bay, you will see Santa's Tree Farm on your right.  All year, Half Moon Bay residents watch the trees grow from seedlings and wait in anticipation.  You may cut your own or choose from pre-cut, in a wide variety, such as traditional Firs, Turkish, Grand or White Firs, Monterey Pine, and even Redwood.  Trees range in height from 2-14 feet and run from $20-69. Pesticide-free trees are available.  Fire retardant treatments can be applied upon request. Owner Danny Sare says his award-winning tree farm offers tree delivery and post-holiday pick-up for recycling. 

The kids can enjoy a train ride, visit the puppet theater, listen to story time with Mrs. Claus, and meet roaming costumed holiday characters.  Inside Sleigh Bells Gift Shop, you'll find an assortment of holiday surprises, like wreaths, garland, a candy shop, and a full craft boutique.

4 C's, (650) 726-9614, 12731 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay. Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily, weekends until 6 p.m. 

Cut-your-own here or select from pre-cut varieties.  Trees in the 5 to 9-foot range are available for $40-$90. Co-owner John Cozzolino, one of the "4 C's," says "No tree will cost over $100." 

Fire retardant treatment is offered for trees purchased for commercial buildings and snow flocking can be added to the tree, allowing 24 hours for it to dry.

, (650) 726-2342, 12320 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay.  Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays (for tree sales) and weekends (for tree sales and activities); open 11 am-4 pm the weekend of December 20-23 for activities.

All pre-cut trees are Noble Firs, while cut-your-own offers Monterey Pine, Monterey Cypress, Incense Cedar, and Douglas Fir.  Trees come in all shapes and sizes, with prices varying from $30 for any cut-your-own to a 7-foot pre-cut at $50, for example.  Natural garland is also available.

Activities for the kids include Lemos' famous pony rides, air jumper houses, a petting zoo, and a ride on the choo-choo train. 

, (650) 726-6440, 12391 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay. Open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon - 5 p.m. Sunday.

They do sell a small selection of cut trees, but Pastorino's draw is its Gift Barn, which is decked out in holiday cheer for shoppers looking for wreaths, ornaments, trim, poinsettias, centerpieces, and other presents.

, (650) 726-6414, 12331 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay. Open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekends. 

Their pre-cut Douglas, Noble, and Grand Firs can range from 2 to 13 feet, and in price from $33.95 to $350 for the largest. 

"All trees are in water," says salesperson Gail Firenze, who adds that tree bags are provided.  "We will put a cover on your car and place it on top," she says.

Delivery, recycling, and treatments like snow flocking and flame retardant are also available.  Repetto's also sells holiday plants, wreaths, garland, bows and other decorations.

, (650) 726-5392, 11691 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay. Open 9 a.m. -5 p.m. daily.

Offering pre-cut Noble Firs that can be tied to your car by staff, trees range from tabletop sizes to beyond seven feet.  Prices vary, from as low as $12 to up, to $79 or more for the biggest trees.

"We have hundreds of feet of garland and more cyclamen than you can shake a stick at," says Dominic behind the counter.  The nursery offers a wide variety of seasonal plants, including live wreaths, poinsettia, and white hydrangeas. 

, (650) 726-4568, 12460 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay.  Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily, except holidays.

This floral and plant shop offers holiday arrangements and potted living Christmas trees from $20 for a 1-gallon pot on up.

, (650) 200-7016, 12690 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay. Open 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily.

Beeson's offers a small assortment of cut trees, as well as honey and an array of seasonal vegetables.

Pumpkin Depot Christmas Trees, (650) 400-0376, 2710 N. Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay. Open at noon Monday-Friday and at 9 a.m. on weekends.

North on Highway 1, along the western side, you will see Pumpkin Depot Christmas Trees, offering you-cut and pre-cut Noble and Douglas Firs from $20-$100.  Delivery is $15 for trees up to 8 feet.  Garland, wreaths, and stands are also sold. 

Owner Stephanie Stoloski says there is no appointed closing time and that trees will be sold up until Christmas Day.  "The customer determines when we close for the day," says Stoloski.

, (650) 726-7500, Main Street location, Half Moon Bay.  Hours vary for holiday trees.

In the market for a tall tree?  A turn onto Main Street will bring you to Tom and Pete's Produce, selling 8-footers or up to 18 feet of tree for $88.88 and up, with wreaths, garland, and services like tying trees to cars.  Smaller trees are also available.

Not in a hurry?  Then take a pleasant drive off the beaten path to local farms and stands that sell organic trees.

Rancho Siempre Verde, (650) 326-9103, 2250 Cabrillo Highway (25 miles south of Half Moon Bay). Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 10, and 20.

Boasting "no plastic Santas" and no "parking-lot-style trees," Rancho Siempre Verde offers a place to picnic with an ocean view, enjoy outdoor fun like hay rides and wooden swings, and you can even bring your dog as you browse the 25 acres of Fir and Pine trees with saw in hand. 

All trees, no matter what size or shape, are $60.  This includes taxes, tying, and free boughs.  Handmade wreaths are for sale, while marshmallows for roasting and tractor rides are free.

Skyline Tree Farm, (408) 395-0337, Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) one mile south of Page Mill Road. Open weekdays 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., weekends 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Owned and operated by the same family since its first planting in 1958, Skyline offers Scotch Pines, Sequoia and Douglas Firs for cut-your-own, while a Noble Fir tree lot of pre-cut trees from table toppers to full-sized trees is also on the grounds.

Tree growers here have replanted seedlings to fill in the gaps where trees have been cut.  They ask you to not step on the seedlings when you visit.  Skyline Tree Farm claims 100% natural growing policies and encourages you to take your time, and even bring a tailgate picnic, as you cut your tree.

Webb Ranch, Inc., (650) 854-3134, 2720 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, open daily 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Call for prices and sizes.

This tree farm, located in Silicon Valley, is full-service.  Featuring a variety of cut trees from Washington and Oregon, Webb Ranch operates Santa's Village during the holidays, where they help you select, wrap, and load your tree.  Delivery is also available, as is stand application, fire retardant, snow flocking, and shaking. Choose from Silver Tip, Douglas, Grand and Noble Firs.  Fresh mistletoe, garland, and wreaths are also sold.