Touring * Historic *

Twenty miles south of Eureka on U.S. 101, take the Ferndale/Fernbridge exit. Follow the frontage road next to the freeway to the bridge. Turn west to cross the bridge over the Eel River and proceed on Highway 211 for four miles to the town of Ferndale. Park near Main Street in a parking lot or on a side street.

You won't find long bike paths or major flights of stairs in the village of Ferndale. But you will find plenty of old-fashioned charm, making this small town the perfect place to take it down a notch and enjoy being an in-line tourist for awhile. Founded in 1854 by Danish immigrants, Ferndale's street's are lined with well-kept Victorian homes and stores--many of them more than a hundred years old.

Flat Main Street and its wide sidewalks have the best skating surfaces, although side streets are passable, too. The downtown shop proprietors are friendly and welcome customers who roll in to, say, order an ice-cream cone.

After you've done the town, skate to the south end of Main Street and turn left just before the last house. This places you on the smooth pavement of the parking lot at Fireman's Park, a dandy spot to shoot a puck or practice tricks. Public rest rooms and a drinking fountain can be found at the east end of the park on the other side of the baseball diamond.