At a glance
- Address
- Near South Lake Tahoe, CA
- Activities
- 🎄 Christmas trees
- Features listed
- Choose and cut
- Phone
- (530) 542-3772
- Typical season
- Late Nov to Dec (christmas trees, varies by farm)
- Listing updated
- No date on the listing
- Contact details from
- National Christmas Tree Association
- County
- El Dorado County, CA
- Hardiness zone
- USDA zone 6b
- Source
- National Christmas Tree Association locator (checked Nov 2026)
Picking weather
National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast…
Weather only. It does not tell you whether the farm is open, so check hours with the farm.
Make a day of it
- Public restroom 1.4 mi
- Playground 0.6 mi
- Picnic area 2.2 mi
- Gas station Swiss Mart Food and Gas 0.9 mi
- EV charger Tesla Supercharger 1 mi
- 161 places to eat within 5 mi Burger Lounge, Jalapeños Taqueria, Margaritas Mexican Cafe
Farmers markets nearby
- South Lake Tahoe Certified Farmers Market South Lake Tahoe · 1.5 mi · takes SNAP
- South Lake Tahoe Farmers' Market South Lake Tahoe · 1.6 mi
- Ski Run Farmers' Market South Lake Tahoe · 3.2 mi
Open in Apple Maps · Google Maps directions
Nearby places from OpenStreetMap (straight-line distance). Markets and CSAs from the USDA Local Food Directories.
Weather here in a typical year
Nov here: highs around 51°F, lows around 23°F, about 1.9 in of rain, 10 hours of daylight.
- 🌱 Last spring frostJun 7
- 🍂 First fall frostSep 28
- ☀️ Frost-free season113 days
- 🧭 Hardiness zone6b
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, South Lake Tahoe Ap, CA station (2.2 mi); frost dates from Dagget Pass, NV (7.2 mi), median 32°F dates; USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (USDA-ARS, Oregon State University PRISM). Averages, not a forecast. Crops ripen earlier after warm springs.
What you can pick here
- Christmas trees In season nowLate Nov to Dec
Typical US ranges from extension service crop calendars, not this farm's own dates. Seasons shift by region and weather, so check with the farm.
Before you go
- Check that it is open. Call the farm: hours and crops change with the weather.
- Bring cash and a card. Some farms take only one.
- Water, sun protection and closed-toe shoes.
- A bow saw if the farm lets you bring one (many lend saws)
- Work gloves, sap is sticky
- Ratchet straps or rope and an old blanket for the car roof
- A tape measure and your ceiling height
- Ask about pets before you bring a dog.
More tips: your first u-pick visit · choose-and-cut checklist.
How to pick like a pro
- Is it ripe?
Run a branch through your hand: needles should stay on. Check the trunk is straight for 6 to 8 inches at the base so it fits the stand.
- How to pick
Measure ceiling height and stand diameter before you go. Most farms lend a saw; cut low and level. Ask the farm to shake and net the tree.
- Best time to go
Thanksgiving weekend has the best selection but the biggest crowds. Weekday afternoons are calmer.
- Keep it fresh
Make a fresh cut on the trunk when you get home and put it in water within a few hours. Check water daily for the first week.
Farm country: El Dorado County
El Dorado County had 1,204 farms in the latest USDA Census of Agriculture (2022). Of those, 172 sold food straight to the public and 30 earned money from agritourism like u-pick and tours.
- 1,071 acres of Christmas trees #1 of 19 counties in CA
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2022 Census of Agriculture. Some county numbers are withheld to protect individual farms.
Check hours before you go. Listings come from public directories and many were last updated in 2024.
Farms nearby
Farms in California · Christmas tree farms everywhere
Plan your trip
Questions about Rainbow Ranch
Is Rainbow Ranch open today?
We do not track live hours. Call the farm at (530) 542-3772 before you go. Our listing comes from public directories and was last updated in a past season.
When is the season at Rainbow Ranch?
Christmas trees typically run Late Nov to Dec in much of the US. Exact dates depend on the farm, the region and the weather, so confirm with the farm.
Where is Rainbow Ranch?
Near South Lake Tahoe, CA. Use the Directions button for turn-by-turn directions.
Can I bring my dog to Rainbow Ranch?
Pet rules vary by farm and by field. Many u-pick farms do not allow dogs in picking areas for food safety. Ask the farm before you go.
Is this listing wrong?
Farms can fix or claim a listing for free on our add or claim your farm page.