Welcome back to summer the way it should be – full of family, friends, and fun.

After a year apart, newly vaccinated families are hitting the road to see one another in record numbers, according to a recent article in the New York Times. As Americans find new meaning in two iconic summer experiences – the old-fashioned family reunion and the classic road trip – Ferndale, California offers the perfect place to combine the two.

With a storybook setting, vibrant yet uncrowded Main Street, and convenient location next to the redwoods and Lost Coast, the Victorian Village is the ideal gathering place for a family vacation.

This summer, reserve some hotel rooms, book an Airbnb or set up camp at the historic Humboldt County Fairgrounds RV Park and invite your loved ones. Join us in Ferndale for a joyous celebration of reopening as friends and families reunite on historic Main Street, Ferndale shops and attractions welcome back visitors, and brand new businesses open their doors.

Shake off the summer heat, the crowds, and the limitations of the past year and meet in California’s most charismatic coastal town for a reunion to remember.

Fourth of July Festivities

Experience small town spirit in its full glory at Ferndale’s annual 4th of July Parade. After taking last year off, the Ferndale’s treasured summer tradition is back.

The fun kicks off at noon as vintage fire trucks, patriotic floats and flag-waving folks make their way down historic Main Street. Make sure to swing through America’s favorite general store, the Golden Gait Mercantile, for red, white and blue attire and old-fashioned treats. Afterward, stay for lunch at one of Ferndale’s acclaimed restaurants or head up Main Street to the Veterans Memorial Hall where the Ferndale VFW and VFW auxiliary will be hosting a community barbecue from noon to 2 p.m., including burgers, hot dogs, and sides for dine-in or takeout.

Stake out a seat on the sidewalk with friends and family or join the parade as a participant! Applications are available at Chapman’s Bookery & More and the Golden Gait Mercantile in Ferndale, and online at VisitFerndale.com.

Humboldt County Fair

One of the longest running fairs in California, the Humboldt County Fair has been charming visitors for generations.

This is the kind of fair that childhood memories are made of, the kind immortalized by E.B. White in “Charlotte’s Web” — a wonderland of carnival rides and corn dogs, animal exhibits and old-fashioned entertainment, model trains and old-time handicrafts.

It’s also decidedly Humboldt, with elements like “Guy’s Gala,” a wine and cheese fundraiser in the fairgrounds’ Turf Room on August 25 featuring homegrown celebrity chef Guy Fieri, and a unique history as the only small fair in California to still feature live horse racing.

With an especially long run for a county fair – this year’s dates are August 18-29 – it’s easy to combine a visit to the fairgrounds with other attractions Ferndale has to offer, from the scenic and secluded Centerville Beach and Russ Park to the nearby redwoods and Humboldt Bay.

Ferndale Concours on Main

California is known for its abundance of classic car shows, but Ferndale’s is particularly special.

A vintage car enthusiast’s dream, the Ferndale Concours on Main on Sunday, September 12 is the only car show approved by Sports Car Club of America – the entity that sanctions and judges Concours events – to allow for judging on a historic boulevard rather than on a lawn, as prescribed for traditional Concours events such as Pebble Beach and Hillsborough.

See up to 100 vintage vehicles on iconic Main Street, a designated historical district and favorite Hollywood filming location featured in movies from “Salem’s Lot” and “The Majestic” to soon-to-be-released “The Sky Is Everywhere.” With Main Street closed for the day and plenty of parking available on side streets, the Concours is the perfect time to explore Ferndale’s shops, restaurants and attractions with friends and family.

Bargain Lovers Weekend

From antique aficionados to flea market foragers, every shopper adores Bargain Lovers Weekend, the largest city-wide sale on the Lost Coast.

The third weekend in September sees the Victorian Village transformed into a shopper’s paradise for eager bargain seekers from all over the West Coast. Escape the inland heat this summer and join up with friends and family to browse sidewalk sales on the streets of historic Ferndale.

It’s not just yard sales where you’ll score great deals. Ferndale shops get in on the excitement, offering specials you won’t find any other time of year. This is a fantastic time to discover businesses that opened over the past year and rediscover old favorites.

Redwoods Sky Walk (and Other Outdoor Attractions)

As the historic heart of the redwoods, Ferndale has always been a popular place to stay when exploring the world’s largest trees — from Humboldt Redwoods State Park south of Ferndale to Redwood National and State Parks to the north. Starting this summer, it’s easier than ever to get up close to nature’s skyscrapers.

This June saw the opening of one of Northern California’s most celebrated new attractions, the Redwood Sky Walk. Located less than 20 miles from the Victorian Village, the self-guided and highly accessible tour takes visitors 100 feet up into the canopy of old-growth and second-growth redwood forest for a fully immersive experience. At just under 1/4-mile to the end and back, it’s the longest sky walk in the United States.

For a closer nature experience right here in Ferndale, explore Russ Park — which includes second-growth redwoods and majestic mature Sitka spruce, as well as myriad flora and fauna — and secluded, scenic Centerville Beach and the Lost Coast Headlands.

Plan Your Trip

Ready to reunite in historic Ferndale? Browse the lodging, dining and shopping directories at VisitFerndale.com and start planning your summer vacation today!