The Victorian Town of Ferndale, California

The Victorian Village of Ferndale allows visitors to see and live in California's 19th century past. One of northern California's best-kept secrets, Ferndale is both a state and national historic landmark. The town maintains not only its 19th century physical appearance, but also its 19th century lifestyle. This includes the look and feel of downtown Main Street, as well as the types of businesses to be found.

(Right: Ferndale's historic Victorian Inn. Despite its large appearance, the inn offers only 12 rooms, all of them elegant. The inn is rated 3-star.)

Ferndale features a number of historic inns in their restored Victorian-era buildings. The most visually imposing is the Victorian Inn on the corner of Main Street and Ocean Avenue (see photo). The downtown features a variety of appropriate businesses such as old-fashioned mercantiles, quaint restaurants, candy stores, antique shops, art galleries, other specialty shops, and even an actual Rexall Drug (see photo). There is even year-round theater at Ferndale Repertory Theatre on Main Street.

For more information, visit the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce website.

Return to California's Lost Coast.

The town has a Rexall Drug.

Ferndale's Masonic Hall.

A colorful restoration.

The Hotel Ivanhoe at Ocean and Main.