If there were a "Christmas Tree Town, U.S.A.," Sebastopol would be a strong candidate. Last weekend we explored multiple cut-your-own farms in this rural Sonoma County town, talked trees with the locals, and got the dirt on a variety of choices. Here are three we recommend:

Hilltop Haven: Complete with tractor rides for the kids and Christmas carols playing through the jukebox, Frosty Mountain Tree Farm offers twelve acres perched on a hilltop with amazing views. Don't miss the $1 popcorn.

Best Value: The best branch for your buck is at Buddy's Christmas Trees (pictured). It's three acres of trees beautifully pruned with pride. And they come at a nice price: many seven-footers are around $40.

Night Delight: If you'd rather cut your tree under the stars, then Victorian Christmas Ranch is your spot. The owners keep the farm open after dark and give customers lanterns to wander among the moonlit boughs in search of the perfect tree.

When you've found your beauty, all three of these farms will wrap it and tie it to the roof of your car. Merry Christmas memories!

TIP: With the tree tied to your roof, make your way to Sebastopol's downtown plaza. Recently opened West County Grill has a chef from Chez Panisse and a nice, slightly pricey à la carte menu.

Remember to Treecycle: After the holidays, leave your tree on the sidewalk and it will be picked up for recycling on your scheduled day (for San Francisco, it's from Dec. 31–Jan. 11).