Skyline Ranch Tree Farm

Worked out great. My daughter and I found a great tree.

so first off, a disclaimer: I didn’t actually buy a tree here. I’m writing a review because I was curious about several things and none of the other reviews addressed them.
I went hiking at the park nearby and stopped at this place on the way back. This year it’s $ 60 for a tree, regardless of size, tax included. There are entrances on both side of the road. It’s a little hut with a guy there, and they have a rack full of saws you can use (I wasn’t sure if you had to bring your own or not). I believe they did have tree-​netting things, and probably rope/​twine to tie to the roof of your car as well, though I can’t remember if it was at the entrance or exit. There were quite a few people here, probably over a hundred cars; it almost seemed like people were tailgating it like a football game. I saw a family with some chairs parked out and kids throwing a football around. That said, it’s pretty spread out (almost a mile from the entrance to the exit) so it didn’t feel crowded at all.
The trees themselves were interesting — I’d never been to a tree farm before. It’s basically a giant shrub/​root ball low to the ground, then the actual «tree» you cut grows on a trunk sprouting from that. So you saw off the top part, leave the root cluster in tact, then presumably a new tree will just sprout from that in the same place. It looked like some of these had been growing for 50 years (the sign says it opened in 1958, so it’s possible). I always assumed Christmas trees were just normal pine trees that you chop down, then it kills the tree and you need to plant a new one, so it was cool to see they essentially just regenerate themselves without having to start from scratch.
Seemed like a nice place, I’ll probably come here for future trees. Expensive if you’re getting a small tree, but probably worth it in my opinion for the fun of going out there and cutting it down yourself.

My family has been going here close to 30 years. I will miss the tradition of picking out our tree and drinking hot chocolate when we move. We’ve never had a problem with our tree, but we do know they are still in nature and not on some lot. Make sure you rinse it off before you bring it inside. The people are always friendly. Great place!

we have come here for over 20 years for our tree party with friends. we host lunch and coffee and cocoa. tables and chairs and lots of catching up. people who were 2 when we started are now returning with their own 2 yr olds. so fun tradition. we come from san jose. it is difficult for the new attendees to find it. i now see that there is an actual address they can google.
80 acres of 3 types of trees. if you have a big house, or a church to buy for, this is the place. if you are buying a short tree for grandma’s table, then you’d pay less somewhere else. last year they were $ 55, any size. if we bought one at home depot they are maybe $ 10 less for the size we get. 2 spots for outhouses, could use more. you do not have to buy a tree to enter and exit. i find they direct you to an area they needs to be thinned. so you can decide where is best. after coming for so many years we have wanted to work out a deal with the owners, like: ¹⁄₃ of our cost could go to a non profit. but it feels like they would not be interested. they do a big business. every year we hear that it is the last yr. popular rumor. this year we were rained out.

My family has been going here for about 25+ years. This place is great for a family fun day. This year we brought my 6 month old daughter for her 1^st experience in our family tradition. I always enjoy the hunt for the perfect tree and the satisfaction of cutting it down ourselves. Other reviews complain about the price of the trees here and yes 20+ years ago they were $ 20.99 and now they are $ 55.00 but if you are cheap go to Lucky’s or any other run down tree lot. This place is more about family bonding and getting that FRESH tree not a old stale Tree. ALL IN ALL I WILL BE BRINGING MY FAMILY HERE FOR MANY YEARS TOO COME AND KEEP THE TRADITION GOING STRONG…

Fun experience, but very, very expensive trees. $ 55 a pop.

Nice people.
It a tradition of ours to go with families and friends every year. So we have cut trees there for the past 10 years.
Trees are getting thin – fewer and fewer choices of 8 and 9 foot trees.
When they tell you ‘go left for he best trees’ ask them how far –3 hills to choose from.
Bring tape measure and your own saw — saws are dull.
They’ll need to become more competitive. Cost keeps rising every years. 10 years ago, it was $ 25. Home Depot for what it’s worth is $ 25. Obviously not as fresh.

Since it is a pretty long drive from SF, I called their number which had a recording cheerfully announcing their opening hours. When we went there, we were told that they had sold out – and not just today. The fellow suggested we visit one of their other farms, way south in the Santa Cruz mountains. I don’t know whether it really was «bait and switch» or just laziness in not updating the voice mail, but either way, it stinks.

My family and I have been going to cut down our Christmas trees at Skyline Ranch ever since I can remember. It has always been a tradition to get up early on a Saturday or Sunday morning, make some hot cocoa, get all bundled up, and drive out to Skyline Ranch on the twisty roads of Highway 35 listening to Christmas carols the whole way. When you arrive, you are greeted warmly (this is a family owned and operated business since 1958) and given a saw and directions about where to park and how many branches to leave on the stump when you saw down your tree. Then you can have at it! There are many acres of trees, and it is up to you to pick your perfect jem for the year. The price this year (2009) was $ 55 for one tree. A great family tradition to start if you haven’t already!