Ferndale, California

This small town has more Victorian residential and commercial buildings than any town we have seen in California.  These structures were once referred to as 'Butterfat Palaces', since they were constructed from wealth generated by the dairy industries surrounding Ferndale. It bills itself as 'California's Victorian Village' and this is no exaggeration.  Ferndale has been awarded as one of America's Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the entire town is classified as California's Historic Landmark number 883.  This small town is home to the North Coast's oldest and largest theatre company, The Ferndale Repertory Theatre, which has been in operation since 1972. Outdoor activities around Ferndale include a nature hike in Russ Park (the 110-acre forest bird sanctuary) and a boat tour of the Eel River Delta. Ferndale is a coastal community in the far northwest quadrant of the state.