What person familiar with the bed & breakfast industry has NOT heard of The Gingerbread Mansion? From the time we started our business 4 years ago...all over the country...as we met with folks and described our tours, one question we have consistently been asked is "Have you been to The Gingerbread Mansion in Ferndale?" Our reply had always been that we had not been asked to do a review and assumed that since the Inn had such a stellar reputation that they surely were booked solid all the time so we didn't expect to get the opportunity. Just goes to show what happens when you make an assumption!
Ken Torbert, owner and innkeeper, contacted us just as we were about to finish up the northern California part of our Spring/Summer Tour and we were delighted that we still had one night open before leaving and that Ken also had the same night available for us to visit and do the review! We really didn't expect to be headed South again on Hwy. 101, but here we were.
It was a short drive to Ferndale from Eureka and Cindy had just finished reading to me about it when we crossed into the town. We had heard and seen the bumper stickers highlighting the fact that it was a "Cowtown". Yes, it does have farms surrounding the hamlet, with lots of cows. And we had heard that the town was full of antique and art stores. We found "The Kinectic Art Museum" and a "penny candy store" too. The town appeared to have frozen in time and even had a street clock.
 | After enjoying a couple of hours walking and a nice lunch at a mexican restaurant we headed over to the inn. We were met at the door by Ken and allowed to start our tour at the top of the inn, in the Empire Room. Many people and publications note this room as the most opulent room in Northern California. And until someone disputes and proves otherwise, we'll agree. It is a room to die for. One guest while we were there said she'd be staying another day simply to spend the next night in the room. Descriptions of this and all the rooms can be found at the Gingerbread site. Our room was the Strawberryhill Room. It had a queen size bed, desk, sitting area with chairs and table, gas fireplace and private bath with tub/shower combination. |
| Ken has been at this for over nineteen years and has it down. The Inn sparkles and has the charm that made the Victorian Era nostalgic. The English garden obviously required high maintenance and we found ourselves appreciating those that made it so nice.
We had high tea from 4 til 6 and then strolled over to the Victorian Inn Hotel for dinner. We returned to the inn for a great night's sleep. As we arrived, there were more folks out front taking pictures of the inn. It is said that this is the most photographed B&B in Northern California. 
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The next morning brought along it's own delights! We started our breakfast with fresh squeezed orange juice, coffee and tea. There was the Inn's own special granola with low fat milk, a seasonal fruit compote and freshly baked poppy seed bundt cake. The main entree of the day was a savory sausage souffle, made the breakfast not only filling, but a wonderful start to the day.
Too soon, it was time to get back on schedule and point the Eagle northward. But, when planning your trip to California's northern coast, make sure you don't miss out on the little village of Ferndale and escpecially The Gingerbread Mansion Inn! For stays on the weekends, we highly recommend advance reservations....and be sure to tell Ken that Cruising America says HI!
A Winding Road * (formerly Cruising America) * 6301 Cotton St., Pensacola, FL 32526 * 850-292-1599 * freedom@awindingroad.net
