Where and when to buy your Christmas tree in San Francisco
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If you haven't bought your Christmas tree yet, you're not a Grinch — and you're probably saving money!
The big picture: Christmas tree prices peak around Thanksgiving and mostly fall thereafter, new data from Square shows.
Why it matters: For the live tree lovers among us, timing your annual purchase is a delicate balance between price and how long you'll get to enjoy a majestic pine or spruce in your living room.
By the numbers: The average Christmas tree went for a high of around $131 on Thanksgiving last year, then fell to about $55 by Christmas Eve.
Between the lines: Actual local prices depend on several factors, including the success of nearby growers' annual yields and drought conditions.
Zoom in: We're here to help you on your hunt. You can find whatever tree suits your needs at one of the numerous lots across the city. Some of our favorites include:
🎄 Clancy's Pumpkins & Christmas Trees: A family-run business with two locations in the Sunset. Find them at:
- 1620 Seventh Ave; open 9am-9pm daily.
- 2101 Sloat Blvd.; open 9am-7:30pm Sunday through Thursday and 9am-9pm Friday and Saturday.
💂 The Guardsmen Tree Lot: All proceeds from this volunteer-driven tree seller go toward funding summer camps, after-school programs, and private school education for underprivileged kids.
- 2 Marina Blvd.; open 9am-9pm daily.
🎊 Christmas Tree Jamboree: More than six types of firs are offered at this Portola-based location owned and operated by ABC Tree Farms.
- 531 Bayshore Blvd.; open 9am-9pm Monday through Friday, 8am-9pm Saturday, and 9am-8pm Sunday.
🌲 Marina Trees: Tree purchases at this neighborhood favorite help support Marina Middle School. Same-day delivery and setup is now available.
- 3500 Fillmore St.; open 9am-8pm daily.
🛠️ Cole Hardware: Arguably the city's most reliable one-stop shop for home goods and supplies, with four locations:
- Cole Valley — 956 Cole St.; open 8am-7pm daily.
- North Beach — 627 Vallejo St.; open 8am-7pm Monday through Saturday and 10 am-7pm Sunday.
- Russian Hill — 2254 Polk St.; open 8am-7pm Monday through Saturday and 10am-7pm Sunday.
- Downtown — 70 Fourth St.; open 9am-6pm Monday through Friday and 9:30am-6pm Saturday and Sunday.
The bottom line: Tree sellers moved 90% of their inventory by mid-December last year, per Square — so get moving if you don't want to end up stuck with a diminutive Charlie Brown fir.