North Pole Meets Inland Empire

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!