Ferndale California

Local Attractions - Special Events - Maps - Weather & Tides

Many visitors come to Ferndale for the day, end up falling in love with the town, and wishing they had more time in this quiet little paradise. So they extend their stay or quickly plan a return visit. Some (like our webmaster) even end up moving here. Some visitors love Ferndale because there is so much to do around here while others love it for the fact that it's a beautiful place to do absolutely nothing. When most other towns around the country are starting to look the same because of urban sprawl and chain stores, it is truly refreshing to visit a town surrounded by open space in every direction and the only chain store sign you'll see on Main Street says Rexall.

Due to its scenic location, Main Street in Ferndale has been the location for several movies, the latest being "The Majestic", starring Jim Carrey, and due to be released Dec. 21, 2001. The Ivanhoe was right in the center of the action for much of the filming of "The Majestic" and the hotel can also be seen in "Outbreak".

Attractions In Ferndale Main Street - Ferndale's Main Street is one of the best preserved Victorian commercial districts in the U.S. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Main Street District is comprised of many picturesque bayed and false fronted buildings. The town is very pedestrian friendly, and there are walking tours that will take you by the most notable buildings, homes and churches. Main Street - Ferndale, CA Carriage Rides - Take a ride around Ferndale with coachman and local historian George Enos, a third-generation Ferndalian, and his horse Barnaby. Find George and Barnaby at the corner of Main and Washington, or near Ocean and Main. Rates: 10-minute tour, $8; 20-minute tour, $16; one-hour tour, $50. Note: these rates are per trip, not per person. - Ferndale Carriage Company - (707) 786-9675 or toll free (877) 879-1423 Kinetic Sculpture Race Museum - Located at the corner of Shaw and Main Street, the museum features some of the wild and wacky creations that survived (some better than others) Ferndale's famous tribute to inventiveness. Kinetic Sculpture Race - Ferndale, CA Ferndale Museum - The museum concentrates on farm and logging exhibits, along with displays of period Victorian rooms. (707) 786-4466 Ferndale Cemetery - One of Ferndale's most scenic vantage points is the very beautiful cemetery that is tucked into the hills behind the town. Ferndale Repertory Theatre - This local theatre company season includes six productions plus special events. (707) 786-5483 Russ Park - Follow Ocean Avenue away from The Ivanhoe and it turns into Grizzly Bluff, where you'll find Russ Park. The forested park has several trails and provides outstanding views of the countryside. Mystery Weekends - Each Victorian Village Mysteries weekend is an original plot created just for you. Your mystery weekend begins when you arrive for a party in the Victorian Village of Ferndale. You appear, dressed for the occasion, to meet an assortment of odd and interesting characters. It's like walking into a real-life mystery. You don't know who will strike where, or when, or how, much less why. Is the culprit next to you? Fern Cottage - Built in 1866 and on the National Register of Historic Places, Fern Cottage is a 34 room Gothic farmhouse that was originally the home of Joseph and Zipporah Russ and their 13 children. Tours are by appointment. (707) 786-4835 Centerville Beach - Follow Centerville road 5 miles out to the beach. Take a walk, fly a kite, or play with your ATV. Lost Coast Ranch - This very scenic ranch just became public land. Access is either from Centerville Beach (You must have a tide table, as access is only at low tide.) or by continueing on Centerville Road past the beach and look for the parking area. The trail from the parking area to the beach is only a mile but it is very steep and strenuous. Sunsets and other delights for photographers - Ferndale has some of the most consistently pretty sunsets. Photographers will find ample opportunities for scenic shots whether they are in town, at the beach, or in the forest. A long season of wildflowers brings color to the scene almost year round. Sunset - Ferndale, CA

Activities Near Ferndale Scenic Drives - Best viewed (and smelled) with a convertible or motorcycle. Lost Coast Loop - Start in Ferndale, over the Wildcat to the coast, through Mattole, Petrolia, and Honeydew, and end up at the Avenue of the Giants. Make sure you start with a full tank of gas though. Pack a lunch for a full day trip. Avenue of the Giants - Get up close and personal with the giant redwoods as you drive within inches of them. Auto tour guides are available at both ends. Lots of places to stop, get out and hike into the majestic redwood forests. Victorian Architecture in Humboldt County - Spend some time driving around the farmlands of Ferndale, or head up to Eureka and Arcata to view some amazing examples of Victorian architecture. The plentiful redwood forests available at the turn of the century account for some stunning examples of Victorian homebuilding. Not only are the houses constructed of the native redwood, in many cases the logging industry provided the wealth to build the homes. For example, the Carson House in Eureka has one of the most elaborately detailed examples of Victorian gingerbread exterior ever executed in wood and is one of the most photographed homes in the country. Redwood Forests - The North Coast of California is the home of the grandest tree of them all, the Coast Redwood or Sequoia sempervirens. The tallest living things on the planet, mature redwoods tower above 300ft and can live over a thousand years. There are several national and state parks within easy driving distance from Ferndale where you can go and hike under a canopy of giant redwoods. Humboldt Redwoods State Park is California's largest redwood state park. Come explore our many miles of trails and scenic highway. The world's tallest trees await you along the Avenue of the Giants. Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park - Canoeing, kayaking, fishing and swimming. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park - Fern Canyon is a favorite place for hiking and photography. Richardson Grove State Park - Over nine miles of trails available. Great spot for fishing. Headwaters Forest - The world famous Headwaters Forest grove of old growth redwoods is only minutes away. King Range Conservation Area - The recreation opportunities here are as diverse as the landscape. The forested peaks attract hikers, hunters, campers and mushroom collectors, while the coast beckons to surfers, anglers, beachcombers, and abalone divers to name a few. Tours - Take in a tour of a working lumber mill in Scotia, or a cheese factory in Loleta.

Special Events In Ferndale

February

• Fireman's Games - The balcony of the Ivanhoe provides the best spot to watch the Ferndale Volunteer Firemen compete.

• Foggy Bottoms Milk Run - A family run sponsored by the Six Rivers Running Club with three different courses through Ferndale farmlands to the Main Street finish line. Race director: 707-826-8670 ext. 120.
• Easter Egg Hunt - Youngsters hunt for treasured eggs colored and hidden by Ferndale Scout troops. Prizes in four categories, according to age. Sponsored by the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce at Firemen's Park. (707) 786-4477.
• Portuguese Easter Dance - Includes choosing of the Holy Ghost Queens for the June celebration.
• Sunrise Easter Service - St. Mark's Lutheran Church gathers worshippers high on the hill at the Ferndale Cemetery overlooking the Eel River Valley to witness the dawn of Easter morning. 6 a.m. (707) 786-9353.
• Annual Spring Concert - The 50-voice Ferndale Community Choir performs sacred songs of the season for an inspirational evening. (707) 786-4477.

• Celebrity Auction - Benefits the Ferndale Repertory Theatre. Annual fundraiser with dinner, silent and live auctions, entertainment and more. (707) 786-5483

• Cinco de Mayo Fiesta - Features a parade down Main Street, Mexican Folkloric Dancing, authentic Mexican food and Mariachi music. (707) 786-9668.
• Annual Bicycle Tour of the Unknown Coast. Events for the whole family! 10-, 20-, and 50-mile courses plus California's toughest "century," the 100-mile loop through the redwoods, tracing the Lost Coast to the Victorian Village of Ferndale. (707) 269-0235
• Antique Show - Collectors and vendors gather for three days at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds. (707) 786-4132 or 786-9511.
• Kinetic Sculpure Race - Crazy three day race for human-powered vehicles that must navigate roads, mud, and water on their way from Arcata to the finish line in Ferndale. Memorial Day Weekend. (707) 786-9259
• Memorial Day Parade - Parade down Main Street at 10am followed by ceremonies at the cemetery.

• Pet Parade - Children parade costumed pets down Main Street (707) 786-4477

• Independence Day Fire Engine Rides - Ferndale Volunteer Firefighters celebrate independence with an old-fashioned treat for the kids: a free ride on a gleaming fire engine. (707) 786-9515
• July 4th Parade & Picnic - Ferndale Repertory Theatre organizes an artful Independence Day parade at noon, followed by a Village Green and the 4th of July show: "Celebrate America!" at the theatre. (707) 786-5483

• AKC Licensed Dog Conformation & Obedience Show - Humboldt County Fairgrounds (707) 629-3323
• Humboldt County Fair - Horse races, mule races, art, livestock contests, carnival rides, handicrafts, food, sheep dog trials, floriculture, animals, much more! (707) 786-9511
• Midnight Madness! - What a great way to spend the evening! Main Street shops and restaurants are open from 8 p.m. to midnight with many specials at participating merchants! Moonlit carriage rides, too! Enjoy the Humboldt County Fair and then come 'up town'. (707) 786-4477

• Garden Tour - Fundraiser for the Humboldt Botanical Gardens Foundation includes gardens in Ferndale, Loleta and Eureka. 707-442-5139
• Ferndale Historic Home Tour - Tour five historic homes in Ferndale. (707) 786-4466

• Annual Victorian Village Oktoberfest - Celebrate the harvest with ethnic foods, brews, live entertainment, sidewalk sales, and activities for the kids! Free admission. (707) 786-4477

• Community Thanksgiving Service - Members of Ferndale's six churches join together to give thanks in an ecumenical service at Assumption Church. (707) 786-9551.

• Annual Christmas Celebration in Song - The Ferndale Community Choir gives an encore performance, concluding in time for everyone to attend the lighting of America's tallest living Christmas tree. (707) 786-4477.
• Lighting of America's Tallest Living Christmas Tree - A tradition since 1934. Decked with colored lights by the volunteer firemen, the huge, radiant Spruce on the hill at the end of Main Street acts as a beacon, visible for miles, to herald the Christmas spirit. Booster Band, Chamelon Singers, 4-H, Scout Troops, etc., turn out to rekindle America's tallest living Christmas Tree, followed by free cookies and punch. (707) 786-4477
• Portuguese Linguica and Beans Dinner - Follows the Tree Lighting Ceremony and features food and friendliness. (707) 786-4222
• Hospitality Night Open House - The Victorian Village welcomes friends to a lively evening on Main Street. Merchants serve up cheer along with free beverages and goodies. (707) 786-4477
• Santa Claus arrives in Ferndale! - The jolly elf opens his bag of goodies for youngsters on Main Street. Carriage rides for the kids, too! (707) 786-4477
• Annual Christmas Lighted Tractor Parade - Local farmers and ranchers parade fancifully decorated tractors and tractor-drawn wagons depicting holiday scenes down the Victorian Village's historic Main Street for a sparkling country Christmas celebration! (707) 786-9675 or 786-4477
• New Year's Eve Rodeo Bash. A full day of rodeo events at Humboldt County Fairgrounds. (707) 786-4864

The Hotel Ivanhoe • P.O. Box • 315 Main Street • Ferndale, CA 95536-0096

Phone: (707) 786-9000 • Email: innkeeper@ivanhoe-hotel.com


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