Where I Live
Willits, California, 22 miles north of Ukiah and far enough north of the San Francisco Bay area to discourage commuters, is not exactly the "Gateway to the Redwoods" as this ex-Reno, Nevada arch sign proclaims. In its heyday, Willits probably was the gateway to large-scale redwood logging; but there aren't many redwoods in or around Willits anymore. Nor are there any major logging operations.
On the reverse side of this arch, the message proclaims that Willits is the "Heart of Mendocino County," which is not quite true either. It may be the halfway point along US 101 between the Mendocino and Humboldt County lines, but it hardly qualifies as the heart of a county. The County offices are in Ukiah.
Nevertheless, I like Willits and moved here from Minnesota in 1998 in search of a small community where I could afford to live that was not too unlike the small community where our family once lived in Colorado in the 1960's. Willits is in the Coastal Northern California mountains just 32 miles from Fort Bragg on the Pacific Ocean and has a lot to offer for a community of 5,000+. The air is clean, the people are friendly, the weather is great, and the cost of living is not outrageous yet. It also has an interesting history.
Willits is a favorite of bikers traversing Highway 101 in such events as the Redwood Run in June or July, when thousands of bikers stop over in Willits on their way to and from other parts of California and the US. It is also one of the few communities in California that still has an annual rodeo and parade on the Fourth of July. This has been going on uninterrupted for over 80 years.
The first person I met when I moved here was a graphic artist I later worked with at the local newspaper. He told me that as he drove through Willits a few years earlier, he had a flat tire and never left. Whether that's true or not, I'll never know. It was a good story. Suffice it to say, the people in Willits are very interesting.
As an example, I have never seen so many women with tattoos all over their bodies as in Willits; and I do mean "all over" their bodies! I lived in Minnesota for 31 years and never saw a woman with tattoos. My wife did not have tattoos. Other women I knew in Minnesota had no visible tattoos. Many Willits women have many tattoos. Can anyone explain that to me?
As time goes on, I may add to this page. For now, suffice it to say I am satisfied living in Willits.
Willits Links
I am listing a number of web sites about Willits and the surrounding area. I will add more as I run across good ones.
Willits Chamber of Commerce - This site provides an informative overview of the community.
The Willits News - The Willits News is a twice-weekly newspaper serving Willits and Northern Mendocino County. Founded in 1903, TWN has been a community fixture for generations.
Roots of Motive Power - This web site chronicles the history of steam stationary and motive power in Willits and surrounding Mendocino County. It is a "must" visit for steam and railroad history buffs.
Sightseeing Fun by Rail - Under new ownership, the California and Western Railroad's famous "Skunk Trains" carry sightseers between Willits, Northspur and Fort Bragg most of the year. This is a must trip if you haven't tried it. You can reserve seats ahead of time at this web site.
Mendocino County Government - The official Mendocino County web site is by no means fancy, but may contain information you might want to know if you contemplate moving to the area.
The Willits Line - This site lists other local web sites, fun things to do, and events. It also boasts news, weather, post cards, and a Willits photo gallery
Places to visit, stay, eat, etc. - The Mendocino Alliance web site contains information on what to do and where to go in the county, plus a lot of links to other web sites.