Known as the “gateway to the redwoods,” Willits, California is a great place to visit when venturing into the redwoods of Northern California. It’s a small town with a handful of shops and restaurants, about one hour from the beginning of the Avenue of the Giants.
Our family of four stopped here on our drive up from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Avenue of the Giants this past winter. My husband and I planned a five day trip for my birthday to escape into the magical redwoods with our toddler and infant in tow.
Whether Willits is a stop on a trip through California or the destination, you will find plenty of outdoorsy things to do with your family. Here are our recommendations to make the most out of your trip:
We respectfully acknowledge that Willits is located on the stolen and occupied lands of the Pomo tribe.
Before you go
- Willits is a two hour drive from the East Bay Area along HWY 101 and one hour south of the Avenue of the Giants.
- Although daytime temperatures range from 40 degrees in the winter to 80 degrees in the summer, evening temperatures are always in the 40s. Plan accordingly.
- Research open days and hours for the places you want to visit. This small town has limited staff and limited hours.
What we packed
- Standard diaper bag essentials
- Stroller and/or baby carrier
- Cooler with snacks, lunch, and water
- Hiking items – hats, sunscreen, backpacks, binoculars, and hiking shoes
- Pack layers – the redwoods are cooler in the evenings
Things to do in Willits with your kids
1. Hike Around Ohl Redwood Grove Park
This gem of a park is a must-see if you’re in Willits.
Ohl Redwood Grove Park is surrounded by beautiful towering redwood trees and grass to run around in. There is a clean bathroom and a picnic table too.
It was so green and magical that my preschooler and I ran around pretending to be fairies in a fairy glen.
Warning – be mindful of cars – the park is right off a road where cars drive fast. Just keep an eye on your kiddos and make sure they don’t wander off.
2. See the Willits Arch
Make sure you stop to grab a photo in front of the iconic Willits Arch.
According to the Willits News, this arch was donated to Willits from Reno, NV and was renovated in 1995.
I asked our preschooler to let me know when she spotted the arch and boy did she let me know – with shouts and screams – that she found it.
3. Ride the Skunk Train
The “World Famous” Skunk Train has been taking trips through the redwoods of Northern California since 1885.
The train ride is a long and expensive ($65 per ticket, lap infants free) route through 16 miles of perfect redwood forest.
The two hour ride was a little too long for our preschooler and infant. If you decide to take the trip, make sure to bring activities for your kids to do and a lot of snacks.
The Skunk Train does offer holiday themed rides for Christmas, Easter, and more. Check their calendar for events and to book.
Where to Eat
Northspur Brewing Co.
My family enjoys a good brewery because they usually combine our two favorite things – beer, and kid-friendly spaces.
The Northspur Brewing Co. is no exception!
The kitchen is small and serves mostly sandwiches and salads. We ordered their pulled pork sandwich and hot dog to eat.
If you’re interested in a beer, try the Mendo Summer Kolsh style beer or the bourbon-aged stout.
El Chicano Restaurant
Only a few food options were available within walking distance from the hotel we stayed in, including a McDonalds across the street.
Since fast-food isn’t our thing, we yelped and found a Mexican food place that offered delicious burritos and quesadillas – my toddler’s favorite – on the cheap.
Where to Stay
Our stay at the Baechtel Creek Inn was our first time in a hotel with our baby and preschooler, so my review may not be as kind; I was stressed out by the situation.
The hotel was very basic, small, and outdated. There was a pool but it was closed at the time of our visit (winter).
If you’re in need of a place to stop in Willits, you could stay there, or I would probably recommend you find another hotel or even camp (see below)!
The Mendocino Redwoods RV Park and Campground is located just west of Willits town and is perfect for families with young children.
There is a petting zoo, playground, waterpark, and kiddie pool!
Sadly, many of these amenities were not available to us when we visited in the winter.
RV sites range from approximately $61-$92 per night, and tent sites range from $48-$59 per night. All sites come with a fire ring and BBQ.
We found that most sites are very exposed with little tree covering or space between sites. There were so few people around in the winter that this was not an issue for us, but I can imagine it would feel crowded in the summer with more campers around.
I treated Willits as a stopover on our way to our final destination – the Avenue of the Giants. Little did I know just how much fun my family was going to have while visiting this town.
Maybe my opinion was slightly impacted by the fact that we had just spent a long, two hours in the car with my six month old who hated car rides, her car seat, and everything about travel, but I would highly recommend you stop in Willits with your family for at least a few hours if not for the night!
We enjoyed the relaxing vibe of this little town so much that I hope to return in the summer and add to this post. Have you been to Willits? Share your summer recommendations in the comments!
This post is part of a series of posts about visiting the Avenue of the Giants with kids. Continue the adventure with us here:
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
You might also enjoy
How to Do a 5-Day Road Trip Through the Avenue of the Giants with Kids
BBA’s Ultimate Guide to Traveling with Your Family to Paris, France
A Family-Friendly Guide to Mexico City: Top 10 Activities with Sample Itineraries
Traveling Tokyo with Kids: 12 Family-Friendly Activities
O‘ahu’s Tastiest Sweet Treats—and Where to Find Them
