Ferndale Enterprise photo
Photo by Evan Wish
2020 Event Schedule
This is your personal invitation to experience vintage motorcars on an authentic, historical boulevard, in the Victorian Village, a preservationist’s dream. This is a complete Concours, not just a show and shine, and we have planned an enchanting weekend just for you!
Thursday, September 10
Leaving San Rafael in the morning, it will be a short drive to a private, 100+ car collection, heavily laced with American Classics. Our next stop will be at Coppolla Winery (where we will see our second Tucker of the day!). Just north and across US101, we’ll stop at a pizzeria/salumeria for lunch. After lunch, we’ll head north on 101, stopping at a winery, or two, as well as exploring a backroad, here and there. Once in Humboldt County, we’ll turn off 101 onto Avenue of the Giants, a 31-milelong path in and out of canyons of old-growth redwoods. The last leg of our drive will take us through the verdant Eel River Valley, where we’ll come up close and personal to herds of dairy cows. The day will conclude with dinner at the VI Restaurant, located in the Concours’ headquarters hotel, the Victorian Inn.
Friday, September 11
In the morning, we’ll be treated to a docent-led tour of Fern Cottage. Located just a few miles from Ferndale, it was the home of Joseph and Zipporah Russ, a founding family of Ferndale, maintained just as it was when built in the 1860s. You’re on your own for lunch at one of the many fine Ferndale eateries. After lunch, we’ll head north to Eureka for a tour of the craft Lost Coast Brewery. The day will conclude with a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception in the gardens of Ferndale’s Barndominium Air B&B.
Saturday, September 12
Departing from the Ferndale Community Center, we’ll head north on 101, taking a few backcountry roads that rival Avenue of the Giants in their splendor. Just crossing the “border” into Del Norte County, we’ll stop for lunch and a tour of the world-famous Trees of Mystery, where we’ll walk through a biosphere atop old-growth redwoods and take a tram to the top of a redwood crowned mountain.
A quarter-mile hike will take you to the breakers of the Pacific Ocean. Returning from Del Norte, we’ll stop at the Harper family’s private auto collection with 60+ vehicles, heavily featuring brass-era autos. Time permitting, folks on the tour can enjoy Cruz’n Eureka car show in Old Town. The day concludes with dinner at the private Carson Mansion/Ingomar Club, considered to be the finest example of Queen Anne Victorian architecture in the nation. Docent-led tours will follow dinner.
Sunday, September 13
Concours day! The “field,” Ferndale’s National Historic Landmark Commercial District, will open for vehicle placement at 7am. Field placement ends at 10am, when judging begins. Judging will conclude at noon with trophy presentations beginning after 2pm. The Concours will conclude with the presentation of the “Best-of-Show” award at about 4pm. A meatloaf and mashed potatoes dinner will follow at the Ferndale Community Center.
Monday, September 14
Informal “hate to see you go” breakfast at the VI Restaurant.
Photo by Evan Wish