This year residents may drop off their tree at the Standley Recreation Center parking lot on Governor Drive. Alternatively, organic waste curbside green bins can be used to recycle Christmas Trees by cutting the tree to fit into the automated container for pickup on collection day.
From the City of San Diego: The annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program begins the day after Christmas, Dec. 26, 2025 and runs through Jan. 16, 2026 and features 16 drop-off locations available to City residents.
The program turns recycled Christmas trees into useful products. Trees are given a second life by converting them into high-quality compost, wood chips and mulch products for residents and business owners to purchase year-round.
City residents may load up to two cubic yards of compost and mulch for free at the Miramar Greenery.
Alternatively, you can recycle your Christmas tree in your green bin, using these YouTube quick, handy tips.
Drop-off Locations
- Carmel Valley – Carmel Valley Recreation Center, 3777 Townsgate Drive (lower parking lot)
- Colina Del Sol – Colina Del Sol Park, 52nd Street and 52nd Place (south parking lot)
- Encanto – Cielo Drive at Woodman Street
- Golden Hill – Golden Hill Recreation Center, 2600 Golf Course Drive
- Logan Heights – Memorial Recreation Center, 2902 Marcy Ave.
- Mission Bay – SeaWorld Drive at Pacific Highway
- Mountain View – Ocean View Boulevard at 40th Street (north side)
Oak Park – Chollas Lake, 6350 College Grove Drive (Gloria Mesa parking lot)Location is unavailable for tree drop-off this year.- Ocean Beach – Robb Field Recreation Center, 2525 Bacon St.
- Otay Mesa/Nestor – Montgomery Waller Community Park (lower parking lot, southeast corner of Palm Avenue and Beyer Boulevard)
- Pacific Beach – Kate Sessions Memorial Park, corner of Mount Soledad Road and Loring Street
- Rancho Bernardo – Rancho Bernardo Recreation Center, 18448 West Bernardo Drive
- Rancho Peñasquitos – Canyonside Recreation Center, 12350 Black Mountain Road
- San Diego State University – Parking lot 17 off Alvarado Road
- Scripps Ranch – Scripps Ranch Recreation Center, 11454 Blue Cypress Drive
- Tierrasanta – Tierrasanta Community Park, 11220 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. (pool parking lot)
- 🌲University City – Standley Community Park (parking lot), 3585 Governor Drive
For more information, visit the City site at: https://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/events/christmas
