North Pole Meets Inland Empire

Visiting Greenspot Farms for a Christmas Tree and Holiday Cheer

12.14.2017

Every December night, Greenspot Farms in the tiny town of Mentone becomes a rustic North Pole, complete with live Christmas trees, Santa, holiday movies, cookies, shopping, and festive lights. It’s sure to enchant anyone with a heart softer than Ebenezer Whatsisname.

The ideal adventure begins with a 20-minute hayride amid thousands of holiday lights featuring all of your favorite characters. Snoopy and Jack Skellington make appearances, among many others. Be sure to bundle up! It’s not quite the North Pole, but it gets chilly out there near the base of the San Bernardino Mountains. While you wait for your hayride to begin, take a stroll through the farm to see the animals, including an adorable pony. Wait: Is that Mrs. Claus riding by on horseback?

Then warm up by the giant fire pit and watch holiday movies (Polar Express, anyone?) while you roast s’mores and drink hot chocolate. Or perhaps decorate a Christmas cookie. Or pick up some fresh honey for deserving folks on your shopping list. And definitely stop to take a photo with Santa.

Don’t forget to pick up a tree! Cedars, Monterey pines, and redwoods are grown right on the farm. When you find your perfect tree, one of the friendly employees will cut it down for you. It doesn’t get much fresher than that! Douglas and noble firs from Oregon are also available for purchase.

If all this festiveness leaves you thirsty, Hangar 24 Brewery is just a few minutes away and open late. Nothing beats their Russian Imperial Stout to warm you up on a cold winter night! Holiday cheer plus craft beer = a perfect date night.

Greenspot Farms is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free parking.  Hayride and holiday activities are available through December 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. Hayride is $10 for adults, $8 for children, free for kids 3 and under. Refreshments (including s’more kits) and gift store available. Cash or check only.

Take the I-10 east to Redlands, exit on University, and turn left. Turn right on Lugonia Ave., and then right on Ward Way. Follow Ward until it ends at Greenspot Farms. Dog-friendly! 

Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, 1710 Sessums Dr. in Redlands, is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Dog-friendly! 

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

  1. Three Cheers

    Good things come in threes when you visit Sonoma. Head out on a short hike right from town, sip and stroll the historic plaza, then take in the magical holiday lights.

    View

  2. Island Tree Topper

    The light display atop Angel Island State Park’s Mount Livermore has long been a cheerful twinkle visible from many cities throughout the Bay Area on holiday season nights. Get into the festive spirit by hiking the 2-mile (one-way) trail from Ayala Cove up to the "Angel Lights."

    View

  3. Go, Tell It on the Mountain

    {NOTE: Due to atmospheric rivers that can come this time of year, always be sure to check ahead for trail closures and hazards. And of course, wait for better weather and drier con

    View

  4. Serene Las Gallinas

    A serene stroll alongside marshland, passing ponds and grasses frilled in seasonal wildflowers, with Mount Tam a beacon in the background … how nice. As part of the esteemed Bay Trail, San Rafael’s Las Gallinas Valley Birding Loop and Wildlife Ponds comprises about 3.5 miles of wide-open trail.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman swimming in Carson Hotsprings natural thermal pool

    Hot Springs, Naturally

    Thermal spring waters are famous for their curative, relaxing elements, and Reno Tahoe is filled with them! Sink into these amazing thermal respites for a wellness super soak.

    View

  2. Dune It Right

    Want a beach that will really get you away from it all? Monterey's Fort Ord Dunes State Park is just the ticket. And it often glows golden toward sunset.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Redding Lights and Silent Nights

    Give your holiday events calendar a major glow up this winter in California’s sunniest city. Redding is a revelation: Surrounded by iconic scenery like Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

    View
  4. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View