Crest Ranch Choose & Cut Christmas Trees

Beautiful views of Scott’s Valley and Boulder Creek 2100 ft below. Large property to wander and enjoy with family and friends to energize the holiday spirit!! There is also a nice kiosk to purchase food and drink. We selected a beautiful tree to cut and bring home. With that said, there weren’t many large trees to choose from and help wasn’t offered secure ours on the car rooftop, but overall a pleasant experience. A stone’s throw to Santa Cruz to enjoy the city and the ocean afterwards.

We tried this place for the first time on the day after Thanksgiving. We waited about 5 minutes to turn into the farm because it was so busy! They had great carts to pull your tree selection to the car and lots of saws. Unfortunately, we were greatly disappointed in the farmed trees. They had lots of varieties, more than I’ve seen at other local tree farms, but the farmed trees themselves were scrawny and small. We usually get a 5 – 6′ tree and didn’t find a one. However, they had a nice selection of pre-​cut trees that they trucked in so we found a pretty noble fir and the price was fair. They bagged it but didn’t have any helpers to tie or load it into the top of the vehicle. Luckily we brought rope because we didn’t see any around, but to be fair, we didn’t ask. They did have holly branches and mistletoe for sale which was great. Their hot apple cider was tasty and they have lots of fun things like swings and see-​saws for kids. There were a couple of cute little houses for the kids to see too. Lots of picnic tables too and everyone seemed to be having fun. We got our tree home and it is beautiful and fragrant. It is a nice place but we will go back to Frosty’s next year to cut our own.

This place is amazing! The staff is friendly and will help educate you on the types of trees and where to pick one, they are also extremely organized with their parking, of which they have a lot of! Picnic benches on location so pack a lunch (I will next year) and bring your furry friend, I love when places are dog friendly! The views here are unreal, it’s so beautiful! I will definitely make this place part of my new Christmas traditions!

We came the Sunday before Thanksgiving to avoid crowds and get our best pick of trees. I’d recommend going early in the season if you have a particular kind of tree and/​or size in mind. While they have a ton of trees and many different kinds, there are only so many that are at/​above 7 feet — I’m guessing they always get cut the previous year when they’re around 5 ft. It’s a very dog friendly place, almost everyone had their dog. There isn’t great signage, but the people were helpful in educating us before we went out into the field so it didn’t bother us. The views are gorgeous here and there were plenty of people taking the opportunity to take photos together or picnic. Prices were fair — about $ 60 for our 7 foot tree. Bring the family and make an afternoon of getting your tree here!

We have been going to Crest Ranch for 20 years now. We always have a wonderful time. I was disappointed this year with the trees, very short. Out tree last year died after 2 weeks and dropped needles like crazy all month. I was most disappointed this year with the measurement. I am sure it’s the same measuring stick they always use but in checking it this year it is not an honest measurement. Why? We bought a 6 foot tree and it measured 7.5 feet really. I feel really cheated. Sad to say I am not sure we will go back. Nothing I hate more then being cheated.

My husband discovered this place 10 years ago. I absolutely LOVE this place. It’s a family tradition. 1 year a storm hit and they were closing there gates., the employee was super sweet 2 let us inn and my poor husband ran and cut a tree. And another year we were a couple bucks short and the the employee gave us a card with the address and told us 2 mail it inn. We were both in shock ! It’s a great place 2 start family tradition and make sure 2 pack a picnic and bring the dogs. It’s very dog Friendly place. Plus all the staff is hustling 2 help !!!

This farm is HUGE! The trees are reasonably priced for the area. However, they don’t bother to label any of their trees. So if you don’t know your pines, you’re not sure what you’re buying. The workers proved to be as uneducated as me about the Christmas trees on the farm. They couldn’t tell me what I was buying. I was looking for a douglas fir, and hopefully that’s what I ended up with. I have a nasty cold and can’t smell anything right now, so I guess I’ll confirm it eventually. Still would’ve been nice to not have to play a guessing game.
Warning: CASH ONLY.

While it is a challenge getting there (drive thru curly /​windy roads) the place is worth the trip!
Once you drive through the gates of the farm, the place opens up to rolling mountains and hills with a variety of trees, at least 5 different varieties.
It is so beautiful and picturesque! I wanted to twirl around and sing «The sound of Music! «.
Definitely a place where we will travel to every year. Bring a picnic basket an enjoy lunch on the property.

I’ve never gone personally to cut down a Christmas tree. My boyfriend and his family go every year and the past couple of years I was unable to go with them. Finally got to go recently. Not too long of a drive from San Jose. Probably 45 minutes tops. Got there around 11AM. We brought doughnuts and coffee to enjoy before we pick out our tree. We also brought our boxer puppy to come with us. So its a dog friendly ranch! So many more dogs were out there too! They guided us where to park. It was getting packed at the time we arrived. I got out of the car and stepped right on dog poo! a little irritating but whatever its good luck. Ok so we started to walk around. Jezz this place is huge! So many different trees!!! They wanted to bring me to the look out point so thats where we went first. Oh before hand we got one small saw. They also had a dolly to pull your tree but we didnt need it. So we walked and walked around. Found a tree and marked it and continued to walk. 30 minutes passed… lets go back to the first one! good thing it was still there when we got back! BF cut it down prob took him less than 5 minutes. Walked back to the cash area. They bring this stick to see how tall it is. Ours was probably 6 feet and it cost $ 50. Cash only. Would def come back again to get more christmas trees!

I appreciated the carts. It made hauling the tree out much easier. However, the measurement of the trees is skewed in favor of the ranch. Five foot is more like four foot six inches. And if you are paying $ 50 for a five foot tree, would it kill you to throw in a free cup of cider?

We went there with a group of 10 and had a great time. The view over the ridge was really nice. TONS of trees in all sizes, I was impressed by the selection. They supplied us with tree carts and saws. We all brought food and had a picnic after we bought our trees. I was a nice way to spend a morning. We went on a Saturday, so going EARLY was the key. By time we left after our picnic it was PACKED!!!

I love getting my Christmas Trees here. The best time during the holiday season is during the week, when there isn’t a ton of people. We decided we actually come on a Sunday this last time, and even though there were mass of people, we got in there and out pretty quickly, with in 30 – 45 minutes with our tree and all.(the longest part was finding the right tree!). I enjoy the hot cocoa and apple cider here too. Prices are fair as to the market. Huge property and great views of the SLV from the lots and view point. They provide saw and wagon and twine too.

Cutest Christmas Tree Farm Ever! Right when you drive in you feel the magic of Christmas. There is an adorable playground for kids, a fun tree-​house, picnic tables, and chickens. Tons and tons of trees to choose from with saws and tree carts available to cut and haul your perfect tree. Every view is beautiful and makes for kodak moments. Very friendly service and when we got back to our truck after picking out our tree a magical piece of mistletoe was left on our windshield. The price was great and my family and I will definitely be returning to Crest Ranch. Merry Christmas!!!

Picking out a Christmas tree is so much fun! Crest makes everything really easy too. For instance, they provide the saw, the wagon, and rope to tie your tree to the roof of your auto with! They will even wrap your tree for a small fee for easy transport. The tree farm is huge and the views from the top of Empire Grade are stunning making for a nice morning or afternoon hike. Crest is also dog friendly so even the furry part of your family is welcome to enjoy the festivities.
PS – Don’t drink the hot coco! Trust me!

This place is really BIG for a CA tree farm. We’re from the east coast, so getting to go up on a cold, windy day makes picking out a tree here so much more Christmassy. They have a great variety and their prices are good. $ 33 i believe for a 5 foot tree and then each extra foot is like $ ⁶⁄₇ more — but a few types start at a little more than $ 33. I didn’t pay attention to which tree types though. They have a chart up with this info.
We used to go to a smaller farm close by here, but from one year to another they more than doubled their prices. So this will probably be our go-​to tree farm from now on. This was our second year.
Plus you can take your dog, so this year we took our puppy Stig with us. He also thoroughly enjoyed himself even if we did shove him in a fruity looking sweater before we let him run around.

This place brings back the fun and magic of picking out a tree for Christmas. It was absolutely packed this weekend, yet you wouldn’t know it as it’s run like a well-​oiled machine. The variety and expanse of trees is impressive. While we don’t have children it’s set up for a families and there were a lot of them.
An employee driving by in a golf cart noticed me trying to smell a tree to see if it was fragrant enough. We love when the house smells like Christmas. She directed us to a non-​traditional Arizona Cypress. Boy was she right. We like the look and the scent is amazing.
They have granite soil so you don’t end up with mud caked on your shoes as happens at other tree farms. It was raining when we picked out our tree… I believed their website and wore my new shoes and they were good as new after the experience.
You can also bring your dog and let a well-​behaved dog run around. Sure our dog would have had a ball but we left her in the car due to the rainy weather.
Well worth the trip to the mountains. Unless I’m truly lazy and uninspired we’ll continue to go to Crest for our tree in years to come.

We have been coming here for three years running now. There is just nothing like a fresh tree you’ve cut down yourself. Plus, you get the visual that you are making room for a fresh crop of trees in future years. We live far enough away that we clear a whole day for our trip up into the mountains.
The way I see it, $ 40 or so for an entire day of family entertainment and bonding is well worth it.

This was out first year picking out our first Xmas tree and Crest Ranch made it a memorable one. When pulling up the kids were so exited to see Xmas trees as far as their eyes could see. Mother nature had another surprise in store for use as well… its started to snow for a couple of minutes! This set the kids off into a hot coco induced, sugar filled, sprint up and down the rows of trees trying to catch the snow/​sleet.
The place had everything there that you would need sickle (which was pretty cool in my book), wagon, twine, swings for the kids, and a awesome view for the adults. The help was very friendly and they even helped me place the tree on the top of our car. In all $ 46 is well worth the memories these kids will have of this Christmas.

This place is awesome! It’s on top of a mountain with a fucking sweet view and you walk around with a sickle until you find just the right tree for you house. And then you get to cut it down. Man I love the tamed outdoors. But they could stand some real bathrooms (the gf has a BIG problem with portopots) and hiring a few more adults. Is it legal to employ that many children?

Ok maybe I’m partial to this place since we have been coming here since my son was an infant, but we like it. Lots of trees, lots of people and lots of christmas cheer.
They run a tight ship here– from directing traffic to serving up the food (snack shack quality). Kids and dogs love the place. Hot chocolate, hot dogs and christmas trees — then call it a day. Plan on spending at least an hour here, if you think you can pick a tree faster great. I’ve found that folks who think they can do it faster start complaining (bah hum bug). When one chooses to cut their christmas tree down instead of purchasing at a lot they are choosing to experience the process of this event. This involves the hunt, the comparing, and the back tracking once you realize that the 9^th tree you examined was «the perfect tree». The only problem is that you’ve looked at 59 trees since then and can’t quite remember where the hell you are let alone where the hell the tree is that you now have to have. If you don’t want the hassle, you could either go to a lot or Crest has some special ones partitioned off, but prepare to pay more for these.
Note: This ranch is actually in Bonny Doon. Drive up High St. past UCSC and follow the signs until your in the clouds. Saws and carts available near tree bundler and dogs allowed (bring a baggy).