Ferndale Resources & Relocation Guide
A leisurely pace and laid-back California charm. A welcoming small-town atmosphere and tight-knit community. A picture-perfect setting surrounded by fields, forests and fresh ocean air. Since it was founded, Ferndale has been capturing the hearts and dreams of visitors who have decided to make the Victorian Village home, from pioneers and dairy farmers to artists, business owners and retirees.
If you're planning a move to Ferndale either for residence or business, our relocation guide offers helpful resources and information. For further assistance, please contact the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce.
Heritage & History
In the late 1800s, Ferndale blossomed as the agricultural center of Northern California. The prosperous dairy industry provided the economic base for Ferndale, and the blend of agriculture and architecture resulted in the town's splendidly ornate buildings, known as "Butterfat Palaces." During this period Humboldt County was sparsely populated, allowing abundant opportunities for hard-working immigrants. Ferndale became a melting-pot of Scandinavian, Swiss-Italian and Portuguese cultures (the Portuguese Holy Ghost Celebration is an annual event here to this day). Unlike so many other California cities, the Victorian Village of Ferndale has been able to avoid urban sprawl and pseudo "old town" renovation to remain a thriving community - virtually unchanged since the 1800s.
City of Ferndale
The city government consists of one elected mayor and four at-large councilpersons, all volunteers. City Council meets at 7pm on the third Wednesday of each month at City Hall. Members of the volunteer Planning Commission are appointed to four-year terms. The Planning Commission meets the first Wednesday of the month at City Hall, 7p.m. City staff consists of a city manager, police chief and four officers, city clerk, deputy city clerk, and two public works personnel.
Design Review: Structures along many of the main streets are subject to design review to remain in keeping with the City's designation as a State Historic Landmark. Check with City Hall for design review areas.
Licenses: Business licenses, $60-80/year. Dog licenses, $10/year for spayed/neutered dogs; others are $25/year. Proof of rabies vaccination required.
Ferndale Facts
Ferndale is located in a flat valley bordered by the Eel River on the north, the ocean on the southwest and the mountains in the east.
Latitude: 41 degrees, 34' North
Longitude: 124 degrees, 15' West
Elevation: 50 feet
Area Size: 1 square mile within the city limits
Settled: 1852
Incorporated: 1893
Population: 1,398 people (2020 census)
Helpful Resources & Info
Animal Care
Ferndale Veterinary
Business Resources
City of Ferndale Business License Form
Chamber of Commerce
The Ferndale Chamber of Commerce meets on the first Monday of each month at 5:30pm at the Victorian Inn conference room. Please email info@visitferndale.com to request meeting info and to be added to our chamber email list.
Churches
Assumption Church (Catholic), Ferndale Community Church (Independent), Our Savior's Lutheran Church (ELCA), St. Mary's Episcopal Church
Climate
Weather in Ferndale, CA is mild and coastal, mostly in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit with highs to 78 and lows to the mid-30s. Average rainfall is 41 inches annually.
Employment & Industries
Dairy farming, cattle ranching, service industries, tourism, lumber and wood products, sheep ranching, potato farming. Economics of the area (statistical reporting and analysis of economic factors for Humboldt County, CA).
Emergency Services
Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department, since 1897, (707) 786-9909 (non-emergency)
Ferndale Police Department, (707) 786-4025 (non-emergency)
Gas Stations
Tipple Motors, 524 Main St. When Tipple’s is closed, buy a prepaid Renner gas card at Valley Grocery for use in the cardlock at Fernbridge (or any other Renner station). Electric car charging stations are available in the Main Street parking lot. A Tesla High Power Charging Station is available on the premises of the Victorian Inn at 400 Ocean Ave.
Library
Ferndale Library, 807 Main. Open Tuesday and Thursday 12-9pm, Wednesday/Friday/Saturday 12-5pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. Computer available for free, 1-hour internet access.
Medical
The nearest hospitals are Providence Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna and Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. Ferndale Community Health Center, affiliated with Open Door Clinic, has a new facility on Main Street.
Meeting Halls
Danish Hall, Firemen’s Pavilion, Masonic Hall, Portuguese Hall, Veterans Memorial Hall, Humboldt County Fairgrounds (Belotti Hall, Art Building/Red Barn, Turf Room).
Museum
Ferndale Museum, 515 Shaw. Historical settings and equipment. Hours vary by season. Visit FerndaleMuseum.com.
Newspapers
The Ferndale Enterprise, (707) 498-8370
North Coast Journal (Eureka), (707) 442-1400
The Times-Standard (Eureka), (707) 442-1711
Parks
Russ Park is a 110-acre bird sanctuary wilderness forest park, open dawn to dusk.
Firemen's Park features picnic grounds, bocce courts, ball fields, a playground, and restrooms. Open until dusk.
Centerville Beach is five miles west of Main Street on Ocean Avenue/Centerville Road.
Post Office
A P.O. Box is required to receive mail in Ferndale proper; mail delivery is only available on the rural route. Stop in during business hours at 536 Main, between Shaw and Washington streets, or sign up for a 95536 PO Box online. (707) 786-4642
Real Estate
Landmark Real Estate, (707) 786-9300
Humboldt Trinity Real Estate, (707) 786-9777
Recycling
Recology Eel River offers recyclables and green waste curbside pickup service for Ferndale residents. (707) 725-5156
Schools
Ferndale Elementary, grades K-8, (707) 786-5300
Ferndale High School, grades 9-12, (707)786-5900
Ferndale Children's Center, preschool/daycare, 100 Berding St. (707) 786-4386
Telephone & Internet Services
Frontier, a Citizens Communications Company, (800) 921-8101.
Cable: Optimum
Utilities
Cable: Optimum
Electricity: PG&E, (800) 743-5000
Garbage/Recycling: Recology Eel River, (707) 725-5156
Propane: Blue Star Gas/Sequoia Gas Company (707-725-4465), Redwood Coast Fuels (707-442-5823)
Internet & Phone: Frontier, (800) 921-8101, Optimum
Water: Del Oro Water Co., Drawer 5172, Chico, CA 95927. Ferndale direct line: (530) 809-3988, general (all district) number: (877) 335-6764