Willits is a small city in the heart of Mendocino County
Known as the Gateway to the Redwoods, Willits is a Northern California community of just over 5,000 people. “It’s a rural area. As far as Mendocino County goes, the average price is on the lower end,” says Christina Yates, a Realtor and executive director at Luxe Places International Realty with over 20 years of experience. “It’s really close to the coast, so you have the coastal influence on the weather, and that’s something a lot of people enjoy.” The city is situated along state Route 20, leading west to the coast. It lives up to its nickname, with many places to see the redwoods and connect with nature. While the outdoor scenery is a big draw, Willits has a vibrant downtown with locally owned restaurants and a historic theater.
Vintage bungalows and secluded cabins in Northern California
The community has a wide range of housing styles. Many homes downtown are cottages, bungalows or Craftsman styles from the first half of the 20th century. These sit on small lots with trees in the front yard and neighborhood sidewalks out front. North of downtown, the Brooktrails area offers more seclusion. “You’ll get a quarter-acre wooded lot, but not a lot of the parcels are built on, so it feels like you have space, but you’re not paying for it,” Yates says. “It feels like Tahoe but without the lake or snow.” Homes in this area are often 1970s contemporary styles or cabins. The median sales price in Willits is around $340,000. Flooding and wildfires pose a significant risk in the area. Mendocino County offers several tips and resources for disaster preparedness.
Local and state parks offer plenty of room for recreation
Willits makes it easy to enjoy the natural beauty of the region. Ohl Redwood Grove Park is a green space in the Brooktrails area, thick with towering trees. The park offers spots to enjoy a picnic at several tables and short trails to walk through the woods. A drive toward the coast on state Route 20 leads through more redwoods. The Pacific coast has several activities, including hiking and wildlife viewing at Mendocino Headlands State Park or whale-watching and collecting shells at Ten Mile Beach. Other parks in Willits include Sports Park, which has a soccer field and two baseball fields. Recreation Grove Park includes a basketball court, a playground and a band shell.
Main Street is home to a variety of shops and restaurants
Restaurants along Main Street serve a variety of cuisines, from hole-in-the-wall Mexican spots to Asian restaurants with an elegant vibe. Regional chain Lumberjacks Restaurant is one of the highest-rated eateries in town, known for its log cabin aesthetic and classic diner food. Shops in the area include clothing boutiques, used bookstores and florists. The Noyo Theater has been showing first-run movies on Commercial Street since 1940. Groceries are available at Safeway or Mariposa Market. For more options, residents can head south to Ukiah, which has big-box stores and chains, plus a mix of locally owned spots in its downtown area.
Frontier Days brings over a week of excitement to town
Willits pays tribute to its Western heritage every summer with Frontier Days. This celebration takes place in June and July and includes several events, from barbecues and live music to multiple nights of rodeos at the Willits Rodeo Grounds. The festival has been held in some form since 1926 and is the longest-running rodeo in the state.
Willits schools prepare students for future careers
The Willits Unified School District serves the area and receives a C-plus from Niche. Most students will likely attend Willits High School, which gets a B rating. The school offers several career and technical education pathways, including construction, cabinetry, welding and agriscience.
Highways and buses connect to other parts of the Redwood Empire
U.S. Route 101 passes through Willits, offering a north-south highway along the West Coast. Ukiah is about 23 miles south via 101. Mendocino Transit operates multiple bus routes in the area. The 65 route connects to Fort Bragg and Santa Rosa. The 20 line heads south to Ukiah. Adventist Health Howard Memorial is a hospital in Willits that Yates says many people from Ukiah will drive to for its quality of care.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
