California's Cute, Underrated City Is Full Of Victorian Charm

Lots of people choose big cities for their vacations. The second they finish work on Friday, they head off to New York, Los Angeles, Rome, Paris, and the like. The great metropolises of the world are incredible and absolutely worth a visit, but if you want to actually relax and slow down, or if you live in a big city, the feel of a small town might be your dream getaway. If a pretty main street, historic buildings, and access to some natural wonders are just what the doctor ordered, you may want to pay a visit to the underrated and charming Ferndale, California. This cozy spot in the northern part of the state was founded by Seth Louis Shaw in 1852 during the Gold Rush, and it became a big center for dairy production. What makes this town a perfect spot for a vacation, however, is its colorful and elaborate Victorian architecture. This picturesque place was the setting for the 1979 TV miniseries "Salem's Lot," among other productions, and has one of the most photographed houses in the country, the Gingerbread Mansion Inn.

Ferndale will require a car, as it's around 274 miles away from Oakland International Airport and 271 miles from Sacramento International Airport. It's 36 miles away from the domestic Arcata-Eureka Airport as well. You may want to fly into Sacramento, however, as it ranks No. 1 for stress-free travels in the USA. A car will also be useful if you want to drive to the nearby Humboldt Redwoods State Park and its towering trees or hike the area's Lost Coast trails. 

Ferndale has lots of small businesses if you're up for some shopping. If you like the macabre and weird, grab some spooky items at The Haunt Shop. Golden Gait Mercantile features nostalgic treats from yesteryear, with old-timey candy, dry goods, jams, jellies, and more. There is even The Blacksmith Shop for handcrafted metal and glass. 

If you're looking for a quick bite, stop by the No Brand Burger Stand for some classic burgers, fries, and milkshakes. You can also hit Tuyas Mexican Restaurant & Cantina. It has homemade Mexican fare and an extensive drink menu. It's also full of works by a local artist for a fun and quirky atmosphere. For more upscale but still casual fare, you can hit The Boardroom Ferndale for crepes, charcuterie, and smoked meats. 

It's wonderful to walk through Ferndale to see the Victorian architecture, but you can also stay in some of these places. The aforementioned Gingerbread Mansion Inn, constructed in 1895, looks like a wedding cake, with a Four-Diamond rating in 2025 from AAA. There are 11 suites available with private bathrooms, and some even have claw-foot tubs. The fee for your stay includes not only homemade breakfast but also afternoon tea with wine and appetizers. At the time of this writing, rooms are available for between $225 and $450 per night, but check for current rates. You can also stay at the Victorian Inn, built in 1890. It has a restaurant, full breakfast, and free parking, but the real draw is the frothy confection of a building. Inside you'll find 16-foot ceilings and beautiful decor so you can dream of another era. The inn suggests calling or booking directly for the best rates.

While you're in Ferndale, stop by Hadley Gardens, right on Main Street. This spot features a miniature Fern Canyon and a Victorian dollhouse you can pose next to. Tripadvisor reviewer @EvaT1574 said, "Plants with sculptures, explanatory displays, small waterfall, solar flower, small Victorian house or living roof on wooden hut, everything is so nicely put together ... you are simply in garden wonderland." 

If you want more historical info, Ferndale Museum is worth a visit. It's open Wednesday through Saturday (and Tuesdays by appointment), and it even does ghost tours in October. Inside the museum, you can see Victorian interiors, a blacksmith's shop, and a barber shop exhibit, as well as photos, maps, letters, and other historic artifacts. There's even an old Bosch-Omori seismograph that was donated to the city in 1933. If you have a chance, stop by the Ferndale Historic Cemetery (established in 1868), one of the most photographed cemeteries in the state, full of pretty rhododendrons and historic grave markers.

Around 22 miles away is Humboldt Redwoods State Park, where you can marvel at and actually drive through the base of some enormous trees. The park is 53,000 acres of beauty, and a third of that is old-growth redwoods. You can drive along the 32-mile Avenue of the Giants, and it costs $8 per vehicle at the time of this writing. The road itself runs parallel to Highway 101 and has trailheads for hiking, campgrounds, and some excellent spots to stop for a picnic. You're also near the Lost Coast, a portion of Northern California that doesn't have highways and towns. It's home to the 25-mile Lost Coast Trail. However, if you plan on doing this hike solo, make sure you check out some safety tips first.