Ferndale, California has always been a place where you can step back in time. But these days, the retreat from modern life that Ferndale offers feels especially welcome.

Tucked away on the redwood coast, the Victorian Village of Ferndale just might be the perfect pandemic escape. Spectacularly scenic drives, historic walking tours, miles of forest and coastal wilderness, and a friendly old-fashioned feel make the historic heart of the redwoods an ideal destination for a spring or summer road trip in 2021.

1. Scenic Routes

Getting to Ferndale is half the fun, with just about every path pointing to the Victorian Village a pretty one. Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll weave past lush vineyards, emerald rivers, ocean vistas, idyllic farmland, and some of the tallest trees on earth.

And forget getting stuck in traffic: Here on California’s North Coast, gridlock is practically unheard of. Take your pick of winding roads around Ferndale, from the rugged Wildcat that leads from Ferndale to Petrolia and the Lost Coast, to the world-famous Avenue of the Giants, the original highway through the Humboldt’s famed old-growth redwood forests. Or venture north along the misty highway past lagoons and Roosevelt elk to Redwood National Park. Wherever you find yourself in Humboldt County, Ferndale is centrally located.

2. Picture-Perfect Nostalgia

Let go of the past year – and the past hundred years – in one of America’s prettiest historic towns. Ferndale is one of few places you can still experience an authentic general store where locals shop for everyday goods at the Golden Gait Mercantile, slow down for a tractor puttering through town, or catch up on the latest local gossip at the coffee shop.

And of course, there’s the world-famous architecture. Row after row of pristine Victorian-era homes and magnificent Main Street buildings have made Ferndale a favorite travel destination for history buffs and a popular filming location for Hollywood. Movies filmed here range from Salem’s Lot and The Majestic to soon-to-be-released film The Sky Is Everywhere, starring Jason Segel and Cherry Jones.

3. Uncrowded Charm

For a famous California attraction, Ferndale is refreshingly uncrowded. While it’s common to see camera-wielding tourists swooning in the street over Ferndale’s fairytale-worthy architecture, this is no Disneyland. You won’t have to worry about jostling crowds on the sidewalk, lines for food, or waiting at traffic lights. Far from a façade, Ferndale is a real working dairy village where the busiest time of day is just before closing time at the historic post office.

And when was the last time you had an entire beach to yourself? Centerville Beach County Park, at the north end of the Lost Coast, is one of the state’s most accessible coastal wilderness areas. Have a beach bonfire, romp with your pup, and walk along the waves – sometimes spotting seals or even grey whales – on what feels like your own private beach.

4. Outdoor Adventures

You won’t need a tent and backpack to enjoy the Lost Coast when you’re in Ferndale, where it’s possible to access California’s most remote coastline with just a short drive from town. Park at Centerville Beach County Park at low tide and walk north along the dunes, or hike above the wildflower-covered bluffs on Guthrie and Fleener Creek trails.

Ferndale’s least-known natural wonder is Russ Park, a hundred-acre preserve of spruce and redwoods just steps from Main Street. Four hiking trails crisscross through the steep fern-covered ridge, where you’ll see far more wild birds than humans.

Beyond Ferndale, you’ll find more opportunities for outdoor recreation farther south, where Grizzly Creek, Humboldt Redwoods, and Richardson Grove state parks offer swimming holes, hikes and more, or north toward Redwoods National and State parks.

Not the adventurous type? Enjoy the fresh air on an easy hike through Ferndale Historic Cemetery where you can choose to stay on the paved path all the way to the top – where you can look out over the ocean, mouth of the Eel River, and the entire valley below on a clear day, or opt for a stroll or bike ride around town, where every street is lined with lovingly preserved old houses.

5. Perfect Picnic Food

There are no cookie-cutter franchises in Ferndale, where a vibrant restaurant scene – some say the best in Humboldt – offers a bevy of toothsome takeout options. Grab a coffee and pastry at quirky Mind’s Eye Coffee Lounge, an Italian soda and bagel at Main Street Coffee Co., fish tacos from Tuyas or a juicy grassfed-beef burger from No Brand Burger Stand. Looking for dinner options? Pick up the famously good fried chicken bucket from Fat Anne’s Bakery & Bistro, complete with mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw and enormous buttery biscuits. And of course, you can’t go wrong with the old-fashioned candy and imported goods from the Golden Gait Mercantile.

Great sites for a picnic in Ferndale include Firemen’s Park (kids will love the playground, ball field and bocce courts), the town green at City Hall, and – later in 2021 – the currently-under-construction Native Plant Garden. Just past Centerville Beach, the Lost Coast Headlands offers a picnic spot with stunning ocean views. And fifteen minutes north of Ferndale, the Humboldt Botanical Garden is a beautiful kid-friendly and dog-friendly spot to enjoy lunch surrounded by 44.5 acres of gardens, including a greenhouse and earth sculpture, reflecting Humboldt County's botanical bounty.

6. Dreamy Temperatures

While the rest of the Golden State starts sweltering under the heat of summer, Ferndale and the Lost Coast stay refreshingly cool. It’s easy to stay outside and socially distanced with the best weather in California, where summer temps typically hover between 60 and 70 degrees.

It’s always a good idea to bring extra layers when headed to Ferndale – you’ll appreciate a coat and long pants if the famous coastal fog rolls in – but when the sun breaks through, the weather can’t be beat. On the plus side, cooler days are ideal for a hike through Russ Park – and you won’t have to worry about your Cat Shack Ice Cream cone melting before you can finish eating it.

7. RV Park and Campground

While Ferndale is best known for its historic inns and quaint vacation rentals, it’s also a favorite overnight stay for campers. Whether you’re traveling with a trailer, motorhome, or tent, the historic Humboldt County Fairgrounds is just far enough from town to offer peace and quiet in a farmland setting, yet close enough to easily walk to Main Street.

A few minutes outside town, Wuss Camp is a tent campground on a former dairy farm just a mile from the ocean. Set up camp at one of four sites and enjoy access to your own private forest as well as a hiking trail to Centerville Beach.

Ready to plan your Ferndale getaway? Scope out your best bets for lodging, shopping and dining in the Victorian Village and stay up to date on important COVID-19 information on our website.