The Hotel Ivanhoe

Ferndale California

Ferndale Attractions - Local Activities - Special Events - Maps - Weather & Tides

Ferndale, California

Ferndale, California was settled in the mid 19th century and started out as an agricultural town. By the 1890s, the town's focus had switched to dairies, and the area's success was reflected in the architecture. The beautiful Victorian mansions built from dairy profits became known as "Butterfat Palaces". 100 years later, Ferndale is still a small town surrounded by dairy and cattle ranches, and many of the "Butterfat Palaces" are still here. The quality of the Victorian architecture in and around Ferndale is one of the main draws of the town. If you love Victorian houses and other turn-of-the-century architecture, you'll plan your vacation to Ferndale allowing for an extra day just to drive around the countryside and admire the historic homes.

Main Street - Ferndale, California

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, filmed in the spring of 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, California

Main Street - Ferndale, CA

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.

Kinetic Sculpture Race - Ferndale, CA

Kinetic Sculpture Race - Ferndale, CA

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.

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.

Beautiful Sunset - Ferndale, CA

Sunset - Ferndale, CA

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. (707) 786-4835

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.

Activities Near Ferndale

Centerville Beach - Follow Centerville road 5 miles out to the beach. Take a walk, fly a kite, or play with your ATV.

Guthrie Creek - 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.

Scenic Drives - Best viewed (and smelled) with a convertible or motorcycle.

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.

Loleta Cheese Factory - The Loleta Cheese Factory is open to visitors every day of the week.

Special Events In Ferndale

Ferndale has an impressive number of events going on year round. Please check the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce site for the latest info and dates, or call the telephone numbers listed.

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Ferndale Maps

Ferndale is located 5 miles west of Highway 101, about 20 miles south of Eureka. Mileages to other cities:Redding - 161 miles; San Francisco - 265 miles; Sacramento - 283 miles


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Ferndale Weather and Tide Info

Because Ferndale sits so close to the coast, the weather is very mild year round. Temperatures rarely go below freezing in the winter, and rarely rise above 80 in the summer.

Current Ferndale weather conditions

Tide Chart for this month
Victorian dingbat

The Hotel Ivanhoe • P.O. Box 458 • 315 Main Street • Ferndale, CA 95536-0096

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

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