The Victorian Village of Ferndale in California's Romantic Redwood Empire

It's just 5 miles from Ferndale's Historic Main Street to California's Magnificent Lost Coast

Southbound Drivers' Alert!

Why the Lost Coast is Lost

Photo courtesy of Betty Briggs


"It's udder madness not to stop in the Victorian Village of Ferndale!"


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"A genuine Victorian hamlet" (AP reporter Jennifer Marin), Ferndale has been dubbed "the best preserved Victorian village in California," by Los Angeles Times travel editor Jerry Hulse. Sunset magazine confirms that "you can immerse yourself in Ferndale's Victorian spirit."

Nestled between the two redwood forests in a thriving dairy community, you may discover Northern California's best-kept secret, The Victorian Village of Ferndale.

Photo courtesy of Betty Briggs

Park your car to step back in time. Enjoy magnificently preserved Victorian architecture as you stroll; pick up visitor information from any shop. On the National Register of Historic Places, Ferndale's Main Street is a photographer's paradise and a shopper's delight.

Photo courtesy of Betty Briggs

 

Explore the old-fashioned mercantiles, antique stores, art galleries, and specialty shops, hear the ringing of the blacksmith's hammer, and talk with the friendly people. Watch fresh candy being dipped by hand to whet your appetite for a fine dinner and an evening of theatre.

Resting by the fire in your elegant bed and breakfast inn, think about tomorrow: a walk along nearby coastline, a nature hike in Russ Park (the 110-acre forest bird sanctuary), a boat tour of the Eel River Delta, a visit to the museums, a tour of Fern Cottage, a leisurely day filled with old-fashioned service and friendly faces.
You will find a town where the old way of life has not been compromised. The splendid buildings have been carefully restored, embellished with lovingly-tended gardens, and people take the time to smile a friendly greeting.
 

Photo by Bob von Normann,
FVN Corp.

Although it's been suggested that the Victorian village is a fairytale setting, Ferndale is a working, all-American town which takes pride in its beautiful community and cultural heritage. In the late 1800s Ferndale was an agricultural and transportation center, a melting pot for Scandinavian, Swiss-Italian, and Portuguese immigrants.
     
The entire village is California Historical Landmark No. 883.
 
There's nothing stodgy in this small town, though; Ferndale loves to have fun! The cradle of the wild and whacky Kinetic Sculpture Race, Ferndale continues to host the finish of this off-beat art event, now a three-day contest. The village is home to many colorful events and festivals:
Foggy Bottoms Milk Run, Tour of the Unknown Coast bicycle run, Portuguese Holy Ghost Celebration, Dairy Month's Udders Day, the Humboldt County Fair, Bargain Lovers' Weekend, and the Christmas Lighted Tractor Parade, to name just a few.

Photo copyrighted by Matt Knowles of Aesthetic Design & Photography.
If you would like a print please contact Matt at 707-786-4643

Christmas in Ferndale is magical. Children from the elementary school decorate Christmas trees in front of Main Street shops and members of the volunteer fire department hang more than 900 lights on a huge Sitka spruce at the end of Main Street for the lighting of America's tallest living Christmas tree.  

   

Photo copyrighted by Matt Knowles of Aesthetic Design & Photography. If you would like a print please contact Matt at 707-786-4643

  The Victorian Village of Ferndale, full of surprises, deserves more than a day to discover. 265 miles north of Sacramento and San Francisco, it's a beautiful drive from the major airports (Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose) or fly into the Arcata/Eureka airport in McKinleyville, 45 minutes north of Ferndale (car rentals, Door-to-Door Airporter shuttle service available).

Photo courtesy of Carrie Grant

   

From California Highway 101, take the Fernbridge/Ferndale exit. Cross historic Fernbridge and drive through five miles of pastoral views to Ferndale's Main Street.


Click for Ferndale, California Forecast

For more information,
call the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce at (707) 786-4477

 

Building "The Majestic"

 

We are listed in
Weekend Adventures in
San Francisco & Northern California

 

Photo courtesy of Tom Renner

   

 

 


Victorian Village of Ferndale, CA © 1997-2008 / Ferndale Chamber of Commerce


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