Willits Chamber of Commerce · Relocation Guide
Moving to Willits: A New Resident’s Guide to Local Schools, Utilities, and Services
Presented by the Willits Chamber of Commerce
Willits is a close-knit town tucked into the hills of Mendocino County, with Highway 101 running through its heart. Here’s a helpful list of schools, utilities, and who to call — the practical essentials for settling into the Heart of the Redwoods, so you can spend less time searching and more time exploring.
Welcome Home, Neighbor
So you’re moving to Willits — or thinking about it. Great choice.
Here in the Heart of the Redwoods, you’ll find a town where the pace is friendlier, the mountains are closer, and your neighbors actually wave back. But between the moving boxes and the change-of-address forms, there’s a practical side to settling in: enrolling the kids, turning on the lights, and knowing who to call when you need a doctor or a ride.
In Willits, “community” isn’t a buzzword. It’s how we do things.
That’s where this guide comes in. We’ve pulled together the essentials — schools, utilities, and local services — so you can spend less time searching and more time exploring your new hometown. Let’s get you settled.
Schools
Where Your Kids Will Learn and Grow
Willits is home to 12 schools serving students from preschool through high school, most under the Willits Unified School District (WUSD). The district provides counseling services at every school, a full range of Special Education services, and health screenings for hearing, vision, and dental.
The Local Lineup
- Head Start (Pre-K) — on the Brookside campus, 20 Spruce St.
- Imagination Station Pre-School — 11 N. Marin St.
- Brookside Elementary (K–2nd) — 20 Spruce St.
- Blosser Lane Elementary (3rd–5th) — 1275 Blosser Ln.
- Willits Elementary Charter School (K–5th) — 405 E. Commercial St.
- Sherwood Elementary (K–6th) — 32600 Sherwood Rd.
- La Vida Charter School (K–12th) — 11785 Orchard Ln.
- Baechtel Grove Middle School (6th–8th) — 1150 Magnolia St.
- Willits High School (9th–12th) — 299 N. Main St., a California Distinguished School
- Willits Charter School (6th–12th) — 1431 S. Main St., an independent option
- New Horizons (Independent Study) | Willits Unified School District — 1277 Blosser Ln.
- San Hedrin Continuation High School (9th–12th) | Adult Education — 120 N. Main St.
Enrolling Your Student
Start with the Willits Unified School District Office at 1277 Blosser Ln., or call (707) 459-5314. They can walk you through enrollment, school assignments, and transportation.
Beyond High School
Mendocino College’s Willits Center at 372 E. Commercial St. offers local college courses close to home — plus customized employee training programs that local businesses love.
Utilities
Getting the Lights On
Here’s your setup checklist, in the order most folks tackle it:
Electricity & Natural Gas
- PG&E handles electric and natural gas service — call (800) 743-5000 to start service
- Sonoma Clean Power is the local electricity provider option for many area customers — call 1 (855) 202-2139
Propane
Many homes outside the downtown core run on propane. Local providers include Suburban Propane, AmeriGas, and Ferrellgas.
Water
This one depends on your address:
- Inside city limits: City of Willits — (707) 459-4601
- Brooktrails: Brooktrails Community Services District — (707) 459-2494
Garbage & Recycling
Redwood Waste Solutions (also known as C&S Waste Solutions) handles trash and recycling — call (707) 459-4845 to set up service.
Internet, Phone & TV
- Internet: Xfinity, AT&T, and Starlink all serve the area
- Cellular: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, and Xfinity Mobile have local coverage or stores
- TV: Xfinity, Dish Network, and DIRECTV
Pro tip
Coverage and speeds can vary by neighborhood in our mountain terrain, so ask your new neighbors what works best on your street before signing a contract.
Services
Health Care, Safety, and Getting Around
Medical Care
You don’t have to leave town for quality care:
- Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital — 1 Marcela Dr., our full-service local hospital
- MCHC Health Centers – Little Lake — 45 Hazel St., offering both medical and dental care
- Redwood Medical Clinic (Primary Care) — 3 Marcela Dr.
- Bechtel Creek Medical Clinic (Primary Care) — 1245 S. Main St.
- Plus local dentists, physical therapists, and chiropractors throughout town
Public Safety
Save these for your fridge:
- Emergencies: Always call 911
- Willits Police Department — 125 E. Commercial St., (707) 459-6122 (non-emergency)
- Little Lake–Willits Fire Department — 74 E. Commercial St.
- Brooktrails Fire Department — serving the Brooktrails community
- Cal Fire Howard Forest Station — wildfire response on Highway 101
Transportation
- Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) provides public transit throughout the county — (800) 696-4MTA
- Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway buses connect Willits to the wider world
- Willits Municipal Airport (Ell’s Field) serves local aviation
- Commercial flights: Ukiah (25 miles), Santa Rosa (80 miles), or SFO, Oakland, and Sacramento (about 150 miles)
Pro-Tips for New Residents
Five things that make week one easier
- Set up utilities 1–2 weeks before move-in. PG&E and water service starts are quick, but internet installation can take longer.
- Register with the school district early — especially in late summer, when enrollment gets busy.
- Introduce yourself downtown. Willits businesses know their customers by name, and the connections you make in week one will last for years.
- Check out the full relocation guide at willits.org/relocating for even more — housing, recreation, places of worship, climate, and local clubs.
- Join the fun. From the First Fridays Summer Concert Series to year-round community events, the fastest way to feel at home is to show up.
Your New Hometown Is Ready for You
Moving is a big job, but you’ve picked a town that makes settling in easy.
Got questions this guide didn’t answer? We’re happy to help you find whatever you need, from a plumber to a hiking trail.
Next Post: That’s a Wrap!
The fastest way to feel at home is to show up. See what the 2026 First Fridays Summer Concert Series looked like — and who made it happen.
Welcome Home — We’d Love to Meet You
Visit our website for the complete relocation resources, or stop by the Chamber office and say hello in person.
Or stop by the Chamber office at 299 E. Commercial St., Willits