(Los Angeles Times; Miakievy / Getty Images)
25 places across Southern California to pick up the perfect Christmas tree
There are few holiday décor decisions you’ll be forced to confront as often and as visibly each year as choosing the Christmas tree upon which lights are strung, under which presents are stacked and around which so much merriment is made.
If you’re ill-prepared, the time-honored tradition of tackling your tannenbaum and bringing it home can be super stressful (cue “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”).
Find the best gifts for gardeners, hikers, surfers, weed enthusiasts, travelers, hosts, food lovers, book fans, white elephant parties and more in this gift guide.
There’s no need to get your needles in a knot, though. Just get your hands on the right information — and maybe a hand saw — and your adventures in coniferous acquisition will go as smoothly as that last can of Who hash up the chimney.
To that end, we’ve revisited last year’s list of Southland Christmas tree lots. We’ve added a few new ones and updated the rest (it should come as no surprise that some have changed location, switched up hours, increased prices or some combination of the three) in hopes that you’ll find some place to pick the perfect pine.
Heavy on long-running, family-owned lots and choose-and-cut tree farms (in case your inner arborist is curious, you’ll find firs at the former and mostly Monterey pines and Leyland cypress at the latter), the 25 options below cover a lot of ground, from Ventura in the north to San Juan Capistrano in the south.
Times staff writer Lisa Boone contributed to this report.
How to pick out and set up a live Christmas tree and keep it merry and bright through the new year.
Showing Places
(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Avalon Nursery & Ceramics
South Park Christmas tree vendor
Founded by Maria Luz Lopez, Avalon Nursery & Ceramics is bit of an evergreen itself, having occupied a dusty corner lot in the South Park neighborhood for 34 years and counting. As Times writer Jeanette Marantos wrote in a 2020 story, it’s a lush, leafy labyrinth bursting with merchandise, yet the Lopez family always manages to find space to “squeeze a small forest of Christmas trees just inside the entrance.” This year, the nursery’s selection of firs from the Northwest — Noble, Douglas, Nordmann and Grand, among them — will be available starting Nov. 26 until Christmas Eve or they run out of trees. Open six days a week (closed Tuesdays) from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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(Bennett’s Best)
Bennett’s Best Christmas Trees & Pumpkins
Agoura Hills Christmas tree vendor
Doug Bennett and his wife, Deidra, have been operating their pumpkin and Christmas tree lots since 1997 (in addition to two Agoura Hills lots, they’ve also got locations in Murrieta, Saugus and Valencia). They pride themselves on their tree options. In addition to the the standard-issue firs — Douglas, Grand, Noble and Nordmann — they’re one of a handful of lots to stock the spindly, spaced-branch Silvertip (a.k.a. the Charlie Brown Christmas tree). Stands, flocking and delivery are also available for purchase.
As a hedge against COVID-19, arrangements can be made to purchase your tree and other items without entering the lot. Open Nov. 25 through Dec. 24 (or until all the trees are gone) 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
As a hedge against COVID-19, arrangements can be made to purchase your tree and other items without entering the lot. Open Nov. 25 through Dec. 24 (or until all the trees are gone) 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
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(Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
Big Wave Dave’s Christmas Trees
Christmas tree vendor
Big Wave Dave’s offers fresh-cut fir trees from the Pacific Northwest, including Douglas, Fraser, Grand, Noble, Nordmann Noble and Silvertips at this and three other lots (located in Santa Barbara, Camarillo and Moorpark). Additional services on offer include delivery (at select locations), flocking, flame retardant (required by state law for any tree placed in a building with public access), tree netting and vehicle loading. This location is open from Nov. 25 to Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
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(Chamberlain Choose and Cut)
Chamberlain Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farm
Claremont Christmas tree vendor
The family-run tree farm in Claremont allows you to engage in the time-honored tradition of wandering around and picking a real, live and still-in-the-ground tree to cut down and take home. (Don’t worry. The crew on hand will help you cut, clean, drill and net your tree). Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays only starting Nov. 26.
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(Louie Arguello)
Chauvet Tree Farms
Culver City Christmas tree vendor
Chauvet Tree Farms’ local lots have been a holiday-season destination since 1971, thanks to their assortment of 2- to 14-foot Noble and Nordmann firs and 4- to 8-foot Douglas firs. Each of the independently managed lots (there’s a second one at 6739 W. Olympic Blvd. in L.A.’s Carthay neighborhood) also stocks lights, tree skirts, floor guards, ornament hangers, wreaths, wreath holders and tree stands. Delivery available, credit cards not accepted. Open Nov. 25 through Dec. 24 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
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(Christmas Ranch Tree Farms)
Christmas Ranch Tree Farms
Thousand Oaks Christmas tree vendor
Since 1974, Christmas Ranch Trees has offered a wide selection of choose-and-cut trees (Monterey and Aleppo pines and Leyland cypress) as well as precut firs. Opens Nov. 25 with extended hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. After that, regular hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Open Christmas Eve from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There’s also an option to order your tree online.
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(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Christmas Tree House
Costa Mesa Christmas tree vendor
The parent company of Christmas Tree House (Bishop & Mathew) has been sourcing and selling Oregon-grown yule trees since 1927; the ones on offer in Southern California are cut and shipped direct from the farm. Fir varieties include Douglas, Grand, Noble, Nordmann, Silvertip and Turkish, and sizes range from table-top tannenbaums to 13-footers. Services include delivery, flocking and application of flame retardant. A variety of tree stands is also available. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily beginning Nov. 25.
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(Farmakis Farms)
Farmakis Farms
San Juan Capistrano Christmas tree vendor
Family-owned Farmakis Farms is in San Juan Capistrano. Walk the tree fields and choose the perfect still-in-the-ground Monterey pine or Leyland cypress, and an employee will cut it for you. (Note: The last day to pick up these trees is Dec. 12.) If you prefer a fir (see what we did there?), the farm has also laid in a supply of fresh Douglas, Fraser, Grand, Noble, Nordmann and Silvertips from Oregon). Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily starting Nov. 25. Complimentary services include netting, twine, loading and tying the tree to your car. Delivery is also available for a fee based on tree size and delivery address.
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Hagle Tree Farms
Somis Christmas tree vendor
Choose and cut a Monterey pine grown on-property (hand saw and wheelbarrow provided) or choose from a selection of precut Noble and Nordmann firs shipped from Oregon. They’ll also float you the twine to secure it to your car. Netting is $3 and delivery prices (limited to within Ventura County) vary. Opens Nov. 25 for the season, and hours are noon to dusk Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to dusk Saturday and Sunday.
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Lopez Ranch Pumpkins & Christmas Trees
Venice Christmas tree vendor
Locally owned Lopez Ranch Pumpkins & Christmas Trees, founded by Eleuterio and Arcadia Lopez in 1935, offers fresh Douglas, Grand and Noble firs direct from the grower as well as garlands, wreaths, poinsettias, lights and other holiday décor. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
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(Mount Eagle Christmas Tree Lot)
Mount Eagle Christmas Tree Lot
Glassell Park Christmas tree vendor
Offering Christmas trees in the L.A. area for more than two decades, the lot stocks an assortment of Douglas, Noble and Nordmann firs trucked in from Oregon. Stands, water bowls and customization are all available at no extra cost. Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Christmas Eve (and maybe even Christmas Day), so if you find yourself in need of a very last-minute tree, jingle their bells and see if they’re open.
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(Mr. Greentrees)
Mr. Greentrees
Culver City Christmas tree vendor
This family-owned business has been providing the Southland with Christmas trees as well as wreaths and garlands for more than 30 years. Varieties include Douglas, Noble, Nordmann and Silvertip firs. There’s a 10% discount on trees and greenery paid for in cash. Available services include flocking, application of flame retardant, contactless delivery and, new for 2022, online purchasing. Pre-orders (by phone or email) can be placed the day before Thanksgiving, and the lot itself will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. starting Nov. 25 until the trees run out.
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(Mr. Jingle’s)
Mr. Jingle’s Christmas Trees
Fairfax Christmas tree vendor
The second-generation, family-owned business offers six species of fresh-cut firs from 2 to 20 feet tall as well as delivery, installation and tree-removal services at five L.A.-area locations, including this one at a prime spot in the parking lot of the Original Farmers Market (fronting Fairfax Avenue and just north of Du-Par’s; a purchase here gets your parking validated). You can schedule the tree you pick out and pay for to be delivered to your home. Or, in what might be the ultimate marriage of holiday tradition and app-based technology, kick back on the couch and get the whole thing accomplished via smartphone through a partnership with food-delivery service Uber Eats that promises to get the tree of your choice to your doorstep.
Open starting Nov. 24, special Thanksgiving Day hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Farmers Market location and then 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Open starting Nov. 24, special Thanksgiving Day hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Farmers Market location and then 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
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Peltzer Pines
Orange County Christmas tree vendor
Third-generation Orange County farmer Charles “Chuck” Peltzer sold the first Christmas trees from Peltzer Pines farm in 1966 and has been at it ever since. You can wander the acres and acres of Monterey pines and Leyland cypress trees, and after you find the one you want, they’ll cut it for you. Tree prices start at $49 and are cash or check only. (There is an onsite ATM.) Tree stands and fire retardant are also available (the latter requires the tree to dry for 24 hours). Trees on offer are in the 6- to 10-foot range. Open through Dec. 20, closed Thanksgiving Day and open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m Nov. 25. Regular hours are 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
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Richfield Pines Christmas Tree Farm
Yorba Linda Christmas tree vendor
Walk the Dentino family’s 10 acres of Monterey pines — some topping out at more than 20 feet tall — and after you’ve found the one you want, they’ll cut it for you on the spot or you can reserve it to be cut and taken home later. Trees are priced at $12 per foot (cash and credit cards accepted), and perks include free candy canes for the kids and free trimming greens or boughs to spruce up (see what we did there?) the rest of the house. Don’t feel bad about killing that tree. The folks on the farm promise they’re going to plant a new one in its place shortly after yours is cut. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 25 and then noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
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Rye Farms Christmas Tree Farm
Nuevo Christmas tree vendor
Owned by the Rye family, this farm in the Nuevo, Calif., foothills has been in business for nearly two decades. They’ll help you find just the right tree, cut it for you (unless you want to do it yourself), haul it back to your car and tie it to the roof. For a small fee, they’ll also shake it or net it ($5 each) and, for $8 per foot, they’ll flock it (48-hour notice required). Rye Farms also offers pre-cut Noble firs trucked in from Oregon as well as live Monterey and Aleppo pines in 15-gallon containers that can be used to landscape your yard after the holiday season is over. November hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. December hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
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Sand Haven Pines
Perris Christmas tree vendor
This marks the 43rd year that Sand Haven Pines has been slinging Christmas trees, and its stand of Monterey pines can be perused either for on-the-spot cutting or reserved to be felled at a later date. They also sell tree stands and offer shaking and netting at $5 a tree. Attractions and activities, which begin Dec. 1, include a snack bar, free coffee, free popcorn and a free bouncy house for the kids. November hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (closed Thanksgiving). December hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
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(Dale Beck)
Santa & Sons Christmas Tree Lot
Valley Glen Christmas tree vendor
Located at the corner of Burbank Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon Avenue, this lot serves up freshly cut firs — Douglas, Noble and Nordmann — sourced from an environmentally certified tree farm in Oregon in a range of sizes from 3-foot table-toppers to 11-foot towering tannenbaums. In addition to online ordering (delivery available across the San Fernando Valley and most of Los Angeles), Santa & Sons is also set up to offer what it’s billing as a “u-pick webcam service” (we’re guessing the sons were involved with that one) that allows prospective purchasers to use a FaceTime or WhatsApp video connection to browse and buy the trees from afar with the help of a salesperson. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week from Nov. 24 through Dec. 24.
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(Santa and Mikey’s)
Santa and Mikey’s Fresh Christmas Trees
Pasadena Christmas tree vendor
Mikey Topalian visits the tree farm in Washington state before the harvest and tags the trees he wants. Then they’re cut and shipped down to his Pasadena tree lot in weekly batches throughout the season to ensure freshness. (Maybe that’s where the Santa part of Santa & Mikey’s comes into play — we’re not sure.) Wreaths are on offer as well. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Nov. 23 through Dec. 24.
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(Shawn’s Christmas Trees)
Shawn’s Christmas Trees
Sawtelle Christmas tree vendor
Shawn’s sources its trees mostly from the mountains of Oregon (along with a few trucked in from North Carolina), and its stock includes 2- to 13-foot-tall firs — Douglas, Fraser, Grand, Noble, Nordmann and Silvertip — as well as wreaths in six different sizes. Services include delivery and removal (both start at $45 each) and fire-retardant treatment (for $5 per foot). Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week starting Nov. 25.
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(Emily Ganiko / Tanaka Farms)
Tanaka Farms
Irvine Christmas tree vendor
Tanaka Farms’ seasonal Christmas tree lot, which also stocks wreaths, garlands, poinsettias and all manner of holiday home décor, features Oregon-grown Douglas, Grand and Noble firs, from $15 to $45 per foot. Additional services include doorstep delivery (starting at $35 and based on distance and tree size), fire-retardant treatment and flocking. If you buy one of Tanaka Farms’ tree stands ($9 to $80 each, depending on size), it will be attached free of charge. Also offered is a rarity in the business — a guarantee. That means if you’re not satisfied with the condition of your tree — any time before Christmas — bring it back and it will be replaced. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 25 until sold out.
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(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Tapia Bros. Farm
Encino Christmas tree vendor
This family-owned and -operated San Fernando Valley produce stand has offered Christmas trees — mostly Douglas and Noble firs (and occasionally a few Nordmann firs when available) since 1988. This year, the lot starts selling its fir babies (see what we did there?) Dec. 1 and will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to around 7 p.m., depending on customer volume, Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday until Christmas Eve or until the last tree is off the lot, whichever comes first.
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(Tina’s Trees)
Tina’s Trees
Sherman Oaks Christmas tree vendor
Stocking fresh-cut Douglas, Fraser, Grand, Noble and Silvertip firs as well as wreaths and garlands, Tina’s also offers custom flocking, flame-retardant treatments, phone orders and home or office delivery. Hours at this lot (there’s a second one in Calabasas) are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week starting Nov. 26.
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Wickerd Farm
Menifee Christmas tree vendor
Wickerd Farm’s choose-and-cut Monterey pines are $16 per foot, and its fresh green wreaths — made on property — sell for $25 to $30 each. Pre-cut firs from Oregon are also available. An employee will clean the tree and drill a hole for a water bowl stand (starting at $15 each) free of charge. Netting costs $5, and white flocking and fire-retardant are both available for $8 per foot. Tree delivery — in Menifee — costs $35 (the driver will help set it up wherever you want it). Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week until Christmas Eve — or until the trees are all sold (closed Thanksgiving).
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(Raul Roa / La Cañada Valley Sun)
YMCA of the Foothills Christmas Tree Lot
La Cañada Flintridge Christmas tree vendor
For more than a half century, the YMCA of the Foothills’ Youth and Business and Youth in Government clubs have been running this Christmas tree lot that launches some 1,700 Douglas, Noble and Nordmann firs into local living rooms each holiday season and raises more than $60,000 a year to benefit the YMCA’s Thriving Kids initiative. So Y not (see what we did there?) help support the cause by swinging by and buying a tree? Open at the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA from Nov. 26 through Dec. 20. Hours are 2 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
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