Overview
Willits is a city in Mendocino County on the North Coast of California. It is best known as the Heart of Mendocino County. It offers an amazing array of shopping and amusements for a city with a population of 5,000 in 2020.
3 sights · 10 things to do · 6 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Willits
Black Bart's boulder
On the southern edge of Ridgewood Summit, marked by a historical marker "honoring" the poetic bandit.
Heart of the Redwoods Arch
Offers photo opportunities to those who missed it when the arch was still Reno's "World's Biggest Little City" sign.
Frontier Days
The oldest continual Rodeo in the State, over the Fourth of July week, complete with the Black Bart Gunfighters shooting it out in the streets (with blanks, of course).
Mendocino County Museum
The contains fascinating material concerning the unique cultures of northern coastal California. Open from 10AM to 6PM Wednesday through Sunday. Admission donations: $4 per adult, $1 per youth ages 6-18, under age 6 free…
Willits Community Theatre
Features semi-professional theatre and occasional musical soirees. From Main Street, take the last possible left before the Commercial Street light to find this hidden treasure. For tickets via credit card, call 707-459-…
Noyo Theatre
The offers digital projection of first-run movies in a lavish 1930s movie palace. Price: $7.50 tops, with a $1.50 upcharge for 3D. Kids, seniors, matinees at $5.50.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Oct. Summer highs reach about 65°F; winter lows dip to about 40°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Fort Bragg)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- STS Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa — 69 mi away. Directions
- RDD Redding Municipal Airport, Redding — 95 mi away. Directions
- SMF Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento — 107 mi away (major hub). Directions
The City of Willits is 135 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 101. The highway passes south to north, bisecting Willits as Main Street; highway addresses change to city addresses at the city line. In the center of town, just after passing under the Heart of the Redwoods arch over 101, Highway 20 runs its winding way westward to Fort Bragg.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $68–$88 a night (typical $88), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$110, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$250.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Black Bart's boulder, Mendocino County Museum, The Willits Center for the Arts
- Lunch Kelly's Diner (formerly Cafe 77)
- Afternoon Roots of Motive Power, Sherwood Valley Rancheria Casino
- Dinner Loose Caboose Cafe
- Evening Shanachie Pub
Day 2
- Morning Heart of the Redwoods Arch, Willits Community Theatre
- Lunch El Mexicano
- Afternoon Bud Snider Park, Recreation Grove
- Dinner Buster's Burgers and Brew
Day 3
- Morning Frontier Days, Noyo Theatre
- Lunch Szechuan Asian Restaurant
- Afternoon Skunk Train, Frank Grasse Dog Park
- Dinner Scoop's Frozen Yogurt & Deli
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Understand
The City of Willits began as a town of loggers and ranchers. In the wake of San Francisco's Summer of Love, an influx of hippies changed the character of the populace to today's mix: first, second, and third generation hippies coexisting with third, fourth, and fifth generation settlers. Add a sizable cohort of the artistically and liberally inclined with a certain tinge of New Age beliefs, and you definitely have a town with people watching possibilities while shopping the local galleries and craft shops.
Many of these boutiques are not easily seen by the passing traveler. One has to stop and look about to wring the greatest satisfaction from the Willits experience.
Get in
The City of Willits is 135 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 101. The highway passes south to north, bisecting Willits as Main Street; highway addresses change to city addresses at the city line. In the center of town, just after passing under the Heart of the Redwoods arch over 101, Highway 20 runs its winding way westward to Fort Bragg.
Coming from the Sacramento Valley, take Williams exit 578 from I-5 westward onto California Highway 20. When it merges with Highway 101, turn north. Again, you are entering Willits from the south.
By bus
Get around
A visitor to Willits will find the majority of its attractions are located the two blocks before the Commercial Street light, or just around the corner on Commercial Street as far as the Center for the Arts. Downtown Willits is easily walkable; this less than half mile flat loop will take you past an eclectic array of shops, eateries, and galleries.
Willits' central location makes it an ideal hub from which to explore the rest of Mendocino County on day trips.
- The 1 Willits Rider bus (Mendocino Transit Authority, +1 707-462-1422 or +1-800-696-4682, MTA) supplies local flexible route service 10 times per day.
See
Attractions are listed from south to north.
See Black Bart's boulder
On the southern edge of Ridgewood Summit, marked by a historical marker "honoring" the poetic bandit.
See Frontier Days
The oldest continual Rodeo in the State, over the Fourth of July week, complete with the Black Bart Gunfighters shooting it out in the streets (with blanks, of course).
Do
Besides Willits' good old-fashioned walkable downtown featuring shops full of arts, crafts, and goodies, it also offers other attractions. Handily enough, the attractions begin in that same downtown block that ends at Commercial Street and Main Street. An easy walk from shopping takes you to:
Do Willits Community Theatre (37 W. Van Lane, email: wct@willitsonline.com)
Features semi-professional theatre and occasional musical soirees. From Main Street, take the last possible left before the Commercial Street light to find this hidden treasure. For tickets via credit card, call 707-459-0985. Price of admission: $10/$15, depending on the performance.
The other attractions are a bit further down; the traveler may want to drive to them:
Do Roots of Motive Power
The adjacent Roots of Motive Power is a community volunteer project under the auspices of the County Museum; it is a specialized exhibit of lovingly restored antique locomotives, railroad rolling stock, and steam-powered logging equipment. Call museum first for details.
Do Recreation Grove
Across Commercial Street from the County Museum and the library, this recreation area has public BBQ pits, sheltered picnic tables, kid's playground, and sports fields.
Do Frank Grasse Dog Park
Your canine will love this park, further out E. Commercial Street across from the Rodeo Grounds.
Buy
Downtown Willits offers travelers a beggar's dozen shops in two short blocks; a quarter mile stroll can reach them all. From south to north, and back again:
Shop Buttercup Children's Boutique
Offers stylish kid's clothing, toys, and accessories for ages 10 and under.
Eat
Eat Kelly's Diner (formerly Cafe 77)
Cafe 77 opened in 2018 and offers classic diner food with plentiful options for all types of eaters.
Eat Loose Caboose Cafe
Salads, sandwiches, and soups in a funly funky setting, with patio dining available. Moderate prices. Cash only.
Eat El Mexicano
Locally owned Mexican restaurant serving Willits for over 30 years.
Eat Buster's Burgers and Brew
Great, giant burgers, and other bar-type food with local beers on draft in a casual atmosphere. TV's so you don't miss a sports game.
Eat Szechuan Asian Restaurant
Diner's choice of a sushi bar and/or Szechuan cooking.
Eat Scoop's Frozen Yogurt & Deli
Offers refreshing alternatives to chain fast food with fresh yogurt and deli treats.
Drink
Drink Shanachie Pub
An Irish-style pub with live music on weekends and in midweek.
Sleep
Stay Edgewood Motel
Stay Pine Cone Motel
Stay safe
Place Willits Fire Department
Place Willits Police Department
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