Santa’s Tree Farm

Great experience for the entire family!

loved the fresh air, cute map, and free hot apple cider. staff are super friendly. it was great to walk through even in the momentary hail to find our little tree. it has stayed fresh even to the new year! the monterey pines are unique and super green and our ornaments stayed on great!

Wouldn’t waste my time coming here unless you are looking for a tree under 5 feet. Picked over selection. Scraggly and/​or small trees. Very long, slow line to pay or, not to pay, if you didn’t find a tree. Disappointing.

My wife and I cut down our first Christmas tree together this year, and the staff at Santa’s seemed almost as excited about it as we were. Everyone was very helpful and accommodating, and the selection was great!
See y’all next year!

Good spot and nice experience for the family. Go on the weekdays for way less traffic. Weekends have Santa pix, muppet shows etc. — we dodged that. When going in for the first time, we didn’t get that much direction/​guidance — you kind of discover the property/​mapping on your own and wing it. It’s kind of fun though that way too. We will be back next year — pricing is fair/​reasonable as well. Nice family experience overall.

was excited to come here because it was our first time cutting our own Christmas tree… was disappointed with tree selections… maybe will come back for train ride…

What a Wonderful Place to come get into the Christmas Spirit. Acres of beautiful trees, covered bridge and fresh air. The activities keep the whole family busy and having fun. Santa is in the elf’s workshop visiting families and serving free hot cider. Mrs. Claus in in her cottage reading to the kids and decorating stockings. There is also a fun train ride in the tree fields. There is also a super cute gift shop and kitchen where cookies, hot coco and food is sold. This will be a new family tradition !! Love Love Love !!! We also took our family holiday pictures while out in the trees! The best pictures ever. Thank you for having such a great place to bring the whole family!

This farm is not very well organized! The trees look miserable and old, the stuff is just young kids who do not even know about the activities provided! It took me to ask 4 people to find out how one of the activities works! It was a treasure hunt. You pay $ 6 and the treasure hunt is just the way to spend more money! I thought that a treasure hunt would be a cute Christmas tree area were kids could look for treasures under the trees but instead we had to go to all the activities and pay more money for each of them to get a stamp from them. What is the point of the treasure hunt fee then! Just provide it for free! Our kid was excited because we made it all fun for him but in the end when we got all our stamps we come to Santa to get our hunt-​gift and he hands a bad candy and a small tiny 5 cent water pistol (2 inches)! Really, sugar-​drug and gun? Is it what you give to a kid?
Please, forgive me if my review sounds too harsh but I am usually the one who enjoys all holiday activities and I am always excited and grateful for good activities in Bay Area but I just felt so disappointed that I wanted to express it!
There was a cute puppet show and the train ride was good-​a tractor train ride but other than that this farm needs good planning and organization, good management and better pay for their stuff so they feel motivated but it felt like they did not care at all about anything that was happening in the farm!

My husband and I brought our photographer friend to take Christmas photos of us at Santa’s Tree Farm, and prior to coming in, I called to inquire about the necessary requirements before just initiating a photoshoot. Some how there was a disconnect with the information provided over the phone — and, after arriving to the Farm on the day of, with furniture props in tow, it was then that I found out we were provided inaccurate information, as we should have been advised that there is a fee to conduct photoshoots onsite. (rightfully so!) I was so privileged to speak with Natalie who apologized for the misunderstanding, and was willing to honor what I had explained to her… Natalie was so accommodating — I offered to leave a donation for allowing us to shoot our christmas photos at the tree lot, but she refused to take my money — but instead suggested if I really wanted to, I could make the donation I saw fit, to one of the organizations she supports! I thought that was not only fair, but such an amazing idea!!!
Even in the midst of Natalie’s busy day — lines out the door etc., she took the time to listen to me and not once did she make me feel like I made up the story about calling in advance when being given inaccurate information. She thanked me so many times for coming in and checking with her first before just setting up our props and taking photographs. My husband and I, along with our photographer chose a spot as far back as possible — staying away from customers purchasing their christmas trees, and of course wanting to be as respectful as can be being that Natalie was so generously kind to us!!!
Praying God’s blessings upon Santa’s Tree Farm! (that every tree there sells!!)

I began by speaking to Natalie over the phone, she was polite and accommodating to my special request. I asked her if I could plan a scavenger hunt through the farm w/​tree ornaments for an engagement proposal; She approved! She was very interested w/​my plan of action and concerned w/​her fellow customers. I assured her that we would be very respectful to all of our surroundings. Thank you Nat!
Upon arriving, we received a hand-​saw and a map of the property to guide us through the farm to cut down our Christmas tree. My family had arrived early to set up this surprise location. (The front gate was also secretly helpful w/​locating my family members on the property to help keep the surprise) We didn’t expect the farm to be as big as it was, which was nice so we could be more private if needed. The roads are all dirt which lead to different locations within the farm that cross a cool little bridge. They had a variety of trees to choose from and fun activities for kids.
If your looking for the «experience» of cutting down a Christmas Tree, this is the place to be. We had such a wonderful time w/​the family and enjoyed the message within nature; growing together.
PS– She said «YES»
Thank you!

We actually didn’t go for trees — and the tree selection, and people running the tree section were really nice and helpful. The 1 star is a result of the Train ride that they sell for $ 3/​person. The train only seats about 20 people, and trains for some reason only come around once every 15 minutes, but then stop for some kind of maintenance for a good 10 minutes. in any case, my wife, 2 year old son and I waited in line for 2 of these to go around (almost an hour). And that’s irritating, but still no huge problem.
But when the rude old lady dressed like santa showed up and started yelling at everyone in line «NO CUTTING IN LINE! I DON’T WANT TO COME OUT HERE AND MANAGE THE TICKETS!» And something like «If I have to come out here, I will, and you will have to go home and we won’t refund your tickets»… or something like that. It was pretty funny seeing this lady having a complete melt down in front of all of the parents and kids after patiently waiting for almost an hour for a bad train ride.
Apparently she thought that people were cutting in line to get on the train, and maybe some people did, but there was nobody there managing the line so when the train was ready for boarding, people just tried to get on the train, where they could find a spot.
What that lady should have done was get out of her office and come out to take tickets from 20 or so people and let them onto the train so that there wasn’t a chaotic mess of people trying to get onto the train. We paid for the tickets… isn’t that her job???
I generally don’t complain about stuff like this but the fact that she yelled at everyone in front of the kids was pretty bad taste.
Management — please give this lady a severance package for a Christmas present!

Well it’s almost Christmas. This year we decided to get a fresh cut tree. Yep, fresh cut as in I cut it myself.
Located In Half Moon Bay, Santa’s tree farm is conveniently located and great place to take your kids or your inner kid at heart to. Process is simple. Drive in, they give you a saw, drive to whatever lot and tree you want «7 varieties» and start sawing away. Pack it in your car and lay on way out. Price is kind of pricey if say. I end up paying $ 60 for a Douglas Fir. The higher ones are $ 80.
If you want the experience of cutting your own free without driving 3 hours to Tahoe, this is the place.

I loved this place. I didn’t find any of the prices at all unreasonable. People who are comparing to Home Depot, go to Home Depot! You are paying for the Christmas experience here. Our kids loved seeing santa and the Christmas train and then we drank apple cider (free) and had some cookies. We strolled through the Christmas décor all while listening to Christmas songs and then saw in hand hit the field. I happily would have given this place a five star review of holiday perfection if I had seen more than one noble fir over 4 foot. We like 8 – 9 foot nobles and they didn’t have them. We got a noble down the street but honestly tree or no tree I would still take my kiddos back to Santas village. Even my teenagers were in the Christmas spirit!

This was our first visit and we probably will not return to get a tree. The trees were very short and not very full. Most trees were around 5 feet. It would have been ok if they weren’t asking more than $ 50 per tree. It was a bit steep for the type and size of tree.
Also those who don’t like to hike hills be warned. It can get very steep in sections.
The hot cocoa and holiday store are very cute. If it was a bit warmer we would have taken the train ride.

Santa’s Tree Farm and Village is a great way to celebrate Christmas time with your family! They have a HUGE lot with a TON of trees to choose from! They offer the following types of trees: Douglas fir, Grand fir, Monterey pine, redwood, Noble fir, and white fir. They have a variety of sizes as well. You could easily spend your entire day here walking around the beautiful grounds in the hills, bringing your dog, or spending time in the Elves Workshop and Village. Parking can be somewhat of a hassle. If you find a tree far from where you parked you either have to lug it back to the roping area or wait for the people that work there to tow your tree for you. The tow is free and the people are very nice but there just aren’t a lot of tow people around. They also have netting and twine for about $ 3 and will shake your tree to get rid of all the bugs. Again everyone is super nice! The only reason I gave this place 4 stars instead of 5 is because they are a little pricey. Most trees any size are $ 55 and a few $ 68 (they charge by the type of tree not the size).

Not expecting that the tree farm would be open before Thanksgiving for the U-​cut trees already, we weren’t prepared to cut and transport one which was a shame as the weather was warm and dry this past weekend. The prices seem a bit steep though at about $ 70 + tax for a Noble Fir with the cheaper Douglas Firs running almost $ 60. But we decided to drive through to check out what type of selections they do have for future reference. They do have a nice large property with different areas for different types of trees and the Santa’s Village area is cute for little kids and somewhat makes you feel some holiday spirit but do not be expecting anything out of Polar Express.
However, there were a few things that weren’t up to par.
1. The pre-​cut trees weren’t even as fresh at the ones you would find at Home Depot which is surprising considering it wasn’t transported down from Oregon, but only a few hundred feet.
2. Santa was sitting in the back room by the pre-​cut trees so most people didn’t even see him so he was by himself looking bored the whole time we were there.
3. The hot apple cider was literally colored water. I am hoping that it was a mistake where someone accidentally added a little cider into the hot water dispenser as it was so thin and bland… literally hot water with a tiny bit of sweet flavoring.
4. They charge for netting. For the price you pay, you would think that they would throw in the netting.

I have been here twice with my sister and my brother in law to pick a tree for Christmas. This farm is pretty huge with several plots to roam around. My sis tends to favor the Douglas fir which I am fond of too. We have been lucky to find the perfect tree. Trees vary in price so it really depends on what’s your budget. There is a small house which has a gift shop, cider tasting, food, and puppet show. Plus, there is a train which gives you the grand tour of this farm. I have never been disappointed with this place.

I love the idea of going to cut down your own tree. However, the trees at this farm isn’t up to par compared to the trees you can buy that are pre-​cut. Trees tend to be lopsided or they’re dried on one side, it’s not symmetrical or as bushy as it should be.
I did see people hauling their tree so they must have found a good one but we just couldn’t find one that fit our specification! =(
Trees are in the $ 70 range.

I have cut my own Xmas tree for many years at various tree farms throughout the Santa Cruz mountains.
This year, I decided to keep it local and try one of the local family run tree farms. BIG MISTAKE!
I knew something was up when they were the ONLY tree farm in the area that didn’t list their prices on their web site.
The tree prices are EXPENSIVE… not overpriced, just a flat-​out rip-​off.
2011 Prices are as follows:
Monterey Pines $ 45.76 — Any Size… plus tax
Grand Firs, Douglas Firs, Redwoods $ 54.92 –Any Size… plus tax
Noble Firs + White/​Concolor Firs $ 68.65 –Any SIze… plus tax
Blue Ribbon Diamond lot Trees sold by the foot: Up to 9ft: $ 10/​ft, Taller than 9ft: $ 12/​ft
Want netting on the tree to transport it? That costs an additional $ 3.
Want to take a «train ride“on a converted tractor? It’s $ 2 per person. The train ride consists of going up to the entrance on the very same road you came in on and it returns you to the «Santa’s village» shack on the same road. Afterwards you realize that you’ve already traversed that road for free in your own vehicle.
It is nice they offer free hot apple cider but every other tree farm in San Mateo County or Santa Cruz County is charging about $ 40 for any tree 5′-6′ tall. So the hot apple cider is running you about $ 20-​$ 30 in overcharges for your tree.
By comparison, Home Depot is offering Douglas Firs 5′-6′ for $ 19.99 and Noble Firs 5′-6′ for $ 34.99 — Netting the tree for transport is free. You lose the cozy tree adventure in the forest but you save enough money to take everyone out to a cozy meal afterwards.
If Santa’s Tree farms is reading this, the scenerio with Home Depot is exactly what I did the minute I saw your prices. I drove through, checked out your selections then I turned around and left. If it hadn’t been so late in the day, I would’ve driven to another tree farm.
Next year, I’ll be returning to the Santa Cruz mountains and cutting my tree at a more reasonably priced tree farm.
I’d recommend that everyone else go to a different tree farm with more reasonable prices. This place is nothing more than a rip-​off tourist trap.

This place is great – I’m a fan! I don’t know what the folks who wrote the negative reviews expected, but I feel like loud Christmas music, big crowds, and slightly over-​the-​top decorations are par for the course at a Christmas tree farm!
The owners are super nice, and everyone who works there is friendly. I also like that they leave you to your own devices. You can wander the gorgeous fields for hours and they don’t care a bit.
It’s especially fun to pair a trip to the tree farm with a trip to Half Moon Bay, which is just a few miles farther along 92!