Looking for the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day 2023? Go beyond the usual card and flowers, and treat Mom to something really special: a weekend in Ferndale! A trip to the charming Victorian Village will be an experience she’ll never forget.

P.S. We’d love to see your photos! Tag us on Instagram at @visitferndale or with the hashtag #visitferndale.

Start with coffee and a bite

Delight the coffee-loving mom in your life with a morning pick-me-up or yummy pastry at:

Mind’s Eye Coffee Lounge (393 Main St., open daily 6:30am-4pm), featuring locally roasted coffee and goods baked fresh in-house

Main Street Coffee Co. (582 Main St., open Monday-Friday 7am-2pm and Saturday 8am-2pm), serving breakfast bagels and carrying treats from Patches’ Pastries (1250 5th St., open Monday-Thursday 8am-3pm)
Erlei’s Bakin It (444 Main St., open Friday-Sunday 8am-3pm), a small-batch bakery known for creative custom cakes

*Mind’s Eye Coffee Lounge, 393 Main St., Ferndale CA. (Ferndale Chamber of Commerce photo)*

Order “for here” to soak in the atmosphere and conversation as Ferndale comes to life, or take it “to go” and continue to…

Experience Hadley Gardens, a new hidden gem

Opened in 2022, Hadley Gardens (655 Main St., open daily) has quickly become a favorite for visitors and locals alike. Stroll through the “living walls” for a mini forest bathing session, learn about the native flora, snap a photo at the life-size dollhouse (aka “The House That Troy Built”), and take in the sounds of the waterfall and birds.

Kids or grandkids in tow? Little ones love Hadley Gardens, too (see if you can find the hobbit doors)!

*Hadley Gardens, 655 Main St., Ferndale. (Ferndale Chamber of Commerce photo)*

Hit the shops

Enjoy the best shopping in the redwood region on Ferndale’s historic Main Street. You can stroll lamppost-lined blocks of lovingly restored Victorian buildings featuring an eclectic mix of independently owned stores, from boutiques and specialty shops to artisan galleries and an old-fashioned general store. Find our full Ferndale shopping directory here!

*Stitch, 385 Main St., Ferndale CA. (Ferndale Chamber of Commerce photo)*

Try a new lunch place—or enjoy an old favorite

Exciting new dining offerings in Ferndale include:

The Boardroom (406 Main St., open Thursday-Friday 4:30-8pm, Saturday 11:30am-8pm, Sunday 11:30-7pm), serving sweet and savory crepes, stunning charcuterie boards, and more
The Cantina at Tuya’s (543 Main St., open daily at 11:30am), located next to the buzzing original Tuya’s next door, serving contemporary Mexican cuisine, specialty drinks, and more

Or choose from among Ferndale’s many other longstanding and beloved options, including the kid-friendly Ferndale Pizza Co. (607 Main St., open Wednesday-Saturday at 11:30am and Sunday at noon) and No Brand Burger Stand (1400 Main St., open daily at 11am). See Ferndale’s entire dining directory here!

P.S. For dessert, check out the handcrafted chocolates at Sweetness & Light (554 Main St., open Monday-Friday 11am-5pm), or grab a cone at The Cat Shack (606 Main St.)!

*Tuya’s (553 Main St.) and The Cantina at Tuya’s (543 Main St.), Ferndale CA. (Ferndale Chamber of Commerce photo)*

Relax over afternoon tea at the Gingerbread Mansion

Want to go beyond the usual Mother’s Day experience? Book the tea room at Ferndale’s famous Gingerbread Mansion (400 Berding St.). High tea at the historic inn is open to the public by appointment, afternoons from 12-2pm. Enjoy a Victorian-era tea with fine china, an elegant parlor setting, and teatime treats. Don’t forget to take a walk through the mansion’s beautifully maintained English-inspired garden. Call (707) 786-4000 to reserve your space.

*The Gingerbread Mansion, 400 Berding St., Ferndale CA. (Ferndale Chamber of Commerce photo)*

Celebrate Mother Nature

For the outdoors-loving mom, Ferndale has a wealth of options both within walking distance of Main Street and within a short drive. Climb to the top of Ferndale Cemetery for a stunning view of the spring blooms, the Pacific Ocean, and the mouth of the Eel River. Check out the Russ Park trail network, a 110-acre nature preserve just steps from downtown. Head to Centerville Beach to feel the sand between your toes, or continue to the Lost Coast Headlands for a more secluded hike. Heading to the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge (10 miles north on Highway 101)? Don’t forget your binoculars!

Located between Redwood National & State Parks and Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Ferndale is also your perfect home base for a day trip to see the wonders of the ancient redwoods.

GO back in time at the Ferndale Museum

The nonprofit Ferndale Museum (515 Shaw St., open Wednesday-Saturday 11am-4pm) is a treasure trove of Victorian era, redwoods, and Humboldt County history featuring Victorian room settings, a working seismograph (the oldest in the U.S.), natural history exhibits, antique farming and dairy equipment, and more. The gift shop offers local history books, postcards, reproductions of the work of local artists, Ferndale memorabilia, and collectibles.

*The Ferndale Museum, 515 Shaw St., Ferndale CA. (Ferndale Chamber of Commerce photo)*

Make it an overnight

From the four-diamond Gingerbread Mansion to the iconic Victorian Inn, from quaint motels to unique Airbnbs, and much more—Ferndale has something for everyone. See all our lodging information here and complete dining information here.

*The Victorian Inn and VI Restaurant, 400 Ocean Ave., Ferndale CA. (Ferndale Chamber of Commerce photo)*

We hope you enjoy your Mothers’ Day visit to Ferndale. There’s much more to look forward to this year—check out our 2023 Ferndale, CA events calendar and save the dates!