Christmas tree farm
Crest Ranch Choose & Cut Christmas Trees
U-pick Christmas trees in Santa Cruz, California
From the farm's website
The farm's own words, quoted as posted on its website, with the page each line comes from and the day we read it. Seasons, hours and prices change: check with the farm before you go.
U-pick
“Crest Ranch is proud to be California's oldest existing choose and cut Christmas tree farm.”
Source: crestranch.com, checked October 6, 2026
“Welcome to Crest Ranch Choose & Cut Tree Farm”
Source: crestranch.com, checked October 6, 2026
Crops and picking times
“A: Yes we are open on Thanksgiving and have guests who have made cutting their Christmas Tree on Thanksgiving is a family tradition.”
Source: crestranch.com/faq, checked October 6, 2026
“New trees are planted in January and February to take advantage of the rain, which will give them a good start; irrigation is now used at Crest Ranch to help sustain & promote growth of our seedlings.”
Source: crestranch.com/growing-trees, checked October 6, 2026
“In July and August, Douglas firs are shaped.”
“White fir stumps are pruned in September.”
Source: crestranch.com/growing-trees, checked October 6, 2026
Hours
“Friday - Sunday & Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm”
Source: crestranch.com, checked October 6, 2026
“A: Crest Ranch is open from 8 am to 4:30 pm.”
“Please be mindful that the sun sets at 5pm, the field is not lit after sunset.”
Source: crestranch.com/faq, checked October 6, 2026
Prices
“$75.00 to 5 feet, $5 per additional 1/2 ft.”
“$85.00 up to 5 feet, $7 per additional 1/2 ft.”
Source: crestranch.com/prices, checked October 6, 2026
Before you go
“A: Dogs are always welcome on leash at Crest Ranch.”
Source: crestranch.com/faq, checked October 6, 2026
“We accept cash or checks.”
“Sorry, NO credit cards.”
Source: crestranch.com/faq, checked October 6, 2026
What you can pick
- Christmas Trees
Crops and months read from the lines quoted above; a crop with no months is one the farm names without a picking window.
| Crop | How | Months | When (farm) | Varieties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Trees | U-pick | Not stated | – |
At a glance
- Address
- 12200 Empire Grade, Santa Cruz, CA 95060Santa Cruz County
Crest Ranch Choose & Cut Christmas Trees: questions
Does Crest Ranch Choose & Cut Christmas Trees have U-pick?
Yes. The farm's website says: "Crest Ranch is proud to be California's oldest existing choose and cut Christmas tree farm."