Ferndale California Day Trip

Step back in time and visit the charming city of Ferndale, California. Ferndale is one of the most well-preserved, beautiful historic cities in the whole state. The entire town is an officially designated California landmark.

Known for its brightly painted Victorian homes, landmark hillside cemetery, and picturesque main street, Ferndale is a beautiful day trip destination for the history enthusiast and travelers alike. Though Ferndale is a small town boasting a population of just over 1300 residents, there is much to see, do, and taste in this quaint California gem.

Ferndale Cemetery

The first and most famous attraction in Ferndale is its history. Located on a sweeping hillside overlooking the town with flowers scattered around the walkways, the Ferndale cemetery is one of California’s most historic cemeteries.

Just two blocks from the main street, the graveyard is an excellent place to start or end your day in Ferndale. On a clear day, you can even see ocean views from the top of the hillside.

Fern Cottage

For travelers interested in history, check out the two most historically significant homes in Ferndale; Fern Cottage and The Shaw House. Fern Cottage maintains its original Victorian furnishings, passed down from generation to generation since its first residents took occupancy, making it one of the few houses to maintain the same family line since the 1870s.

Shaw House Inn

The Shaw House boasts the title of the oldest home in Ferndale. Built-in 1854 by the town’s founder, the Victorian gem has served as a home, post office, courthouse, and bed and breakfast. Be a part of history by staying there during your visit. Address: 703 Main Street. Website.

Main Street Ferndale

You can’t leave town without strolling down its lovingly preserved main street. The building facades exemplify the ornate, candy-colored “painted ladies” of Victorian-era architecture and design. Not only are the buildings something to gawk at, but the gardens and grounds surrounding the homes and storefronts are kept just as beautifully, making Ferndale one of the most picturesque places in America.

Golden Gait Mercantile

While walking down the main street, be sure to pop into the Golden Gait Mercantile. Stepping into this shop is like going back in time, an extraordinary place filled with antique finds, candy made from vintage recipes, beautiful homewares, and up-to-date fashions. There is even a section upstairs that shows how the store/pharmacy would have appeared when it first opened in the late 1800s—421 Main St. website.

The Blacksmith Shop

For more shopping, head next door, where you’ll find The Blacksmith’s Shop, which houses some of the most beautiful iron art and metal sculpture in all of Humbolt County. Address: 445 Main Street.

Ferndale Museum

If you have an extra hour, the small-but-mighty Ferndale museum is well worth your time. Besides showcasing photographs and information about the town’s original founding and operations, the museum has two working seismographs built to detect and measure earthquakes nearly 100 years ago. Address: 515 Shaw Ave.

Suppose your adventures take you to Northern California and Humbolt county. In that case, don’t miss the charming Victorian village, which is genuinely one of the state’s most romantic and historic locations.

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