DEL MAR — Less than a mile from the Pacific Ocean, families wander among tall Douglas firs and nobles fit for a winter forest, searching for the perfect holiday tree from the Purdy Tree Farms lot at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
The family-owned company based in Mt. Angel, Oregon, hauls truckloads of trees from its farm to its lots in North County every year, starting in November. They set up shop near the main gate of the Fairgrounds along Jimmy Durante Boulevard, as well as the Shoppes at Carlsbad along El Camino Real.
Purdy Farms offers trees of all shapes and sizes, from 20-foot-tall firs to small grows, in addition to wreaths, garlands, tree stands, water bowls, and more. Customers can select a tree and have it tied to the top of their car or have it delivered to their home.
April Purdy, whose family runs the farm, said they have strong community ties, with many customers returning to the lot year after year.
“Last weekend, I would say around 80% of the trees we sold were to previous customers,” Purdy said on Tuesday.
Similarly, a pool of local employees, many of whom are college and high school students, return to the lot every season.
The Fairgrounds tree lot is open Sunday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The lot is located at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
The Carlsbad lot at 2525 El Camino Real is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit purdytreefarms.com.
