Christmas Tree Guide: Where To Buy A Tree Near Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — If you’re planning to put up a live Christmas tree this year, it’s a good idea to scope out what will be available from Santa Monica-area tree growers.

There are more than 16,000 Christmas tree farms in the United States, stretching over 292,050 acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Larger tree farms control about 75% of the supply, but if you’re interested in supporting a local business this holiday season, here are some places to chop or pick out a tree within driving distance of Santa Monica:

Cut-your-own

Hagle Tree Farm
Somis

Located just off the 101 Freeway in Ventura County, Hagle's farm is filled with rows of Monterey pines, which are native to California. It also offers a wider selection of pre-cut trees shipped from Oregon and Washington.

Chamberlain Choose and Cut
Claremont

Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, the family-run Chamberlain farm offers a cut-your-own Christmas tree experience without leaving LA County.

Sequoia National Forest
Southern Sierra Nevada

An option for the truly adventurous, the U.S. Forest Service offers a limited selection of permits that allow visitors to choose and cut their own Christmas tree out in the wilderness. At about 200 miles from LA, Sequoia National Forest is the closest option to SoCal. Permits for this year are sold out; if you want to ensure your spot next year make sure to get a permit as soon as they become available next November.

Pre-cut tree lots

• Malibu Holiday Market and Tree Lot
• Lopez Ranch — Marina del Rey
• Shawn's Christmas Trees — West LA
• Bennett's Best — multiple locations, including Agoura Hills
• Mr. Greentrees — West Hollywood
• Seasonal Adventures — Multiple locations, including Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Northridge
• Tina's Trees — Calabasas and Sherman Oaks
• Palisades-Malibu YMCA Tree Lot — Pacific Palisades
• Holt Family Christmas Trees — Woodland Hills, Burbank, North Hollywood and Granada Hills
• Santa and Sons — North Hollywood
• Wilshire Rotary Christmas Tree Lot — Larchmont Village
• Mr. Jingles — Farmers Market, Hollywood, Torrance, West LA, Woodland Hills and more

Recent data from the American Christmas Tree Association’s 2024 Consumer Report shows 99% of survey respondents intend to display at least one Christmas tree in their homes this year, and among them, 22% will opt for a live tree.

According to PickYourOwnChristmasTree, real trees will cost about $13 a foot, depending on the type of tree. At that cost, a typical 7-foot tree would cost about $90.

Years of extreme weather — drought conditions in some parts of the country and excess moisture in others — have affected Christmas tree farms.

This year, attention is focused on the Northeast, where tree farmers are struggling under severe drought conditions that are killing off young trees and could cause future shortages.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, about a fourth of the region was in severe to extreme drought, which hits young trees especially hard. It typically takes a tree seven or eight years to grow to the desirable height for decorating.

“Christmas tree farms in the Northeast have, unfortunately, been hit with drought conditions that will impact the crop for several years to come,” American Christmas Tree Association executive director Jami Warner told CNN.

“While consumers will be able to find their Christmas trees this season, some growers in the Northeast will not be able to harvest as many trees as they have in past non-drought years,” Warner said.