Location: Ferndale
Top Things to do in Ferndale
Top 7 Budget-friendly Things to do in Ferndale, California (CA)
Ferndale is a city in Humboldt County, California, United States. Its population was 1,371 at the 2010 census, down from 1,382 at the 2000 census. The city contains dozens of well-preserved Victorian storefronts and homes. Ferndale is the northern gateway to California's Lost Coast and the city, which is sited on the edge of a wide plain near the mouth of the Eel River, is also located near the extensive preserves of Coast Redwood forests.
Restaurants in Ferndale
1. Golden Gait Mercantile
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 28 reviews
Experience the enchantment of days gone by. Classic general store brimming with hard-to-find heirloom wares revives treasured memories. In the redwood empire on California’s north coast, the Victorian Village Ferndale.
Reviewed By jcrogmom
Strolled down Main St Ferndale with the fam on 4th of July. Browsed the merchandise and pleasantly surprised by the historical museum upstairs! Wide variety of merch is fun but the attention to detail in the unexpected accuracy of the museum was a thrilling delight for this history buff!!! Loved to see it! Thank you!
2. Ferndale Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
This museum preserves the heritage of this still-thriving dairy community and its Victorian architecture.
Reviewed By urostequile - Fountain Valley, United States
We stayed at a local bed and breakfast and the hostess was on the board of the museum and arranged for a docent led tour at 9:00 am. This was great, as the museum usually doesn't open until 11:00 am; so we were able to visit for an hour and then get on our way. The docent was extremely knowledgeable about every aspect of the museum and as he showed us around he gave many anecdotal accounts about things and people in Ferndale, which just viewing the exhibits, would not have been included. We enjoyed the seismographs! A very old one was donated by a local college and the docent showed us how they changed the plate. In the old days, they didn't use paper and ink, instead they would "smoke" a plate and place it on the roller and a stylus would engrave through the smoked plate to leave the lines. He gave us a demonstration of how to smoke a plate; very interesting. They had laminated plates of several major earthquakes. The place is small and without a docent, you'd probably get through it in 15-30 minutes. With a knowledgeable leader, an hour went by quickly. They also have a small bookstore with some great books of the area, some major catastrophes and a few books by our hostess - which blended local history with some great recipes. Well worth spending some time here for a good look at local history.
3. Lost Coast Scenic Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
Reviewed By daverY6897DU
The stretch of road that tumbles down out of the hills between Petrolia and Ferndale is breathtaking. The coast is rugged and raw and beautiful. We had a picture-perfect day to explore after a heavy rain the night before, so encountered only a handful of others out there. Fantastic!
4. Ferndale Historic Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 139 reviews
Reviewed By tankergas - Oceanside, United States
The layout of the Ferndale Cemetery is on a hill with a winding road. It is located 2-3 blocks from downtown and can be walked or driven through. I preferred walking. There is a nice view of the cemetery, 2 churches and surrounding neighbored at the upper portion. The hill, church views and layout makes this a unique and inviting cemetery. I highly recommend it for Ferndale visitors, especially ones who love historic cemeteries.
5. The Victorian Village of Ferndale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 207 reviews
Reviewed By AndMH
Amazing town with a feeling it has been lost. We were there on a Sunday morning around 10 during the Covid19 pandemic, So I am not sure if it is like that always but no crowds and just locals out going for brunch. Amazing collection of buildings and it seems that the Meat Market is still a butchers founded in 1909.
6. Fernbridge Historic Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By Dominquie - Croft, United Kingdom
This old Bridge has withheld everything that nature has thrown at it. It amazing when you go over it that it survived the great flood of 1964 in which the Eel river actually went over the bridge. You cross this bridge when going to the Victorian Village of Ferndale. This bridge has also been in the move Outbreak. Just a nice old bridge that has stood the test of time.
7. Centerville Beach County Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Clarjoe
If you haven’t made the short drive to this most magnificent shoreline, you are definitely missing out!! Unbelievable wild and breathtaking beach. Walk for miles if you wish, or just park and watch some of the wildest wave action you have ever seen. The sunsets are fantastic!! This lets you get up close and personal with the lost coast, most will never see. Just minutes west of Ferndale. NOT RV FRIENDLY!!! However there is a BLM parking lot up the road to turn around if you need to. But to park an RV at Centerville Beach FORGET IT!!!
