Build Your Dream Home in California's Gateway to the Redwoods

Imagine building your mountain home in Willits, California's celebrated "Gateway to the Redwoods," where towering coastal redwoods meet small-town charm just 2.5 hours from San Francisco. This elevated 0.21-acre lot in Brooktrails backs directly to protected greenbelt, offering natural privacy while positioning you at the heart of Northern California's outdoor paradise—with access to ancient redwood forests, renowned wine country, and endless recreational opportunities.

Key Property Features:

• 0.21 acres (9,147 sq ft) of buildable residential land
• Elevated hillside location at 1,760 feet in forest setting
• Backs directly to approximately 2,400 acres of protected greenbelt for enhanced privacy
• Paved road frontage along Lupine Dr for year-round access
• Electric available along Lupine Dr
• Water and sewer available through Brooktrails Community Services District
• R1 residential zoning for single-family home development
• Access to community trail network connecting throughout Brooktrails

Development Ready with Essential Utilities

This property comes with electricity available along Lupine Dr, making connection straightforward during construction. Water and sewer hookups are also available through the Brooktrails Community Services District. The paved road frontage ensures year-round accessibility and easy commuting. The R1 zoning designation permits single-family residential development, giving you the freedom to build your custom home in a beautiful natural setting. Buyer to verify utility availability and connection costs with service providers.

Willits: Your Gateway to Northern California's Natural Wonders

Located 140 miles north of San Francisco, Willits is officially known as the "Gateway to the Redwoods," offering travelers a charming blend of small-town hospitality and unparalleled access to Northern California's natural beauty. With a population under 5,000, Willits maintains genuine small-town character while providing over 35 restaurants, craft breweries, art galleries, and essential services. The town's roots date back to the 1850s Gold Rush era, and today it celebrates its Western heritage with Willits Frontier Days—California's oldest continuous rodeo, running since 1926.

Surrounded by Outdoor Recreation

Your Brooktrails property places you at the epicenter of outdoor adventure. The town's location provides access to some of California's most spectacular natural resources:

Redwood Forests: Just 5 minutes from your property, Ohl Grove Park in Brooktrails features impressive redwood groves. The scenic Highway 20 connects Willits to Fort Bragg through 35 miles of towering redwood forests, offering countless opportunities to experience these majestic ancient trees. Take a ride on the historic Skunk Train—operating since 1885—for a captivating journey through dense redwood canopies and along winding mountain streams.

Mendocino National Forest: Beginning just 11 miles east of Willits, this 913,306-acre wilderness offers over 250 trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The forest features four designated wilderness areas and remains delightfully wild—it's the only national forest in California without a major paved road crossing through it. With five rivers, dozens of lakes, and hundreds of ponds and creeks, outdoor enthusiasts find endless opportunities for boating, fishing, and wildlife observation.

Jackson Demonstration State Forest: Spanning 48,652 acres with 48 miles of trails, this public land offers camping in old-growth forests, waterfall-spotting (including the spectacular 50-foot Chamberlain Creek Waterfall), and excellent mountain biking. It's located along Highway 20 between Willits and the coast.

Lakes and Rivers: Lake Mendocino is just 20 minutes away for boating, fishing, and camping. The Eel River offers kayaking, rafting, and fishing opportunities. Closer to home, Lake Emily and Lake Ada Rose in Brooktrails provide convenient spots for trout fishing.

Wine Country Access: The renowned Anderson Valley wine region is 30-40 minutes away, featuring vineyard tours, fragrant lavender farms, and exceptional wines. Ukiah's wine country lies 30 minutes south, with vineyards over 70 years old producing robust Zinfandels, Merlots, and Cabernet Sauvignons in the Mediterranean climate.

The Mendocino Coast: Highway 20 takes you to Fort Bragg and the rugged Mendocino Coast in about 35 minutes, where you'll find seaside hikes, Glass Beach, and the charming artsy town of Mendocino with its dramatic ocean bluffs.

Perfect Climate for Year-Round Enjoyment

At 1,760 feet elevation in Brooktrails, you're positioned perfectly—above the valley heat yet below the snow line—enjoying clean mountain air year-round. The climate offers comfortable temperatures in all seasons, with the elevation providing a natural buffer from temperature extremes. The forested setting throughout Brooktrails creates natural shade and beauty while supporting diverse wildlife. Despite this peaceful mountain location, you're remarkably close to urban conveniences: just 10 minutes from downtown Willits for everyday needs, 20 minutes from Lake Mendocino, 35 minutes to the Mendocino Coast, 30-40 minutes to wine country, 80 minutes to Santa Rosa, and only 2.5 hours from San Francisco.

The Brooktrails Community

Your property is located in Brooktrails, a forested community encompassing approximately 5,800-6,000 acres with about 2,400 acres dedicated to protected greenbelt and conservation. The community features over 30 hiking trails connecting neighborhoods to natural areas and Lake Emily throughout the development. Because this lot backs directly to the protected greenbelt, you'll enjoy guaranteed privacy and natural surroundings that can never be developed. Brooktrails was established in the 1960s as a mountain retreat community and provides water, sewer, and recreational services through the Brooktrails Township Community Services District.

Important Development Considerations

Many buyers find sloping topography ideal for walk-out basements, multi-level designs, or homes that integrate beautifully with the natural landscape. The property's >20% slope provides natural drainage but does mean your home design will need to work with the terrain. Your architect or builder can help you maximize the natural features while working within the slope.

All development must comply with Brooktrails Township Community Services District guidelines and Mendocino County requirements (attached in “Files” section). Buyers are encouraged to review the complete Brooktrails Specific Plan and Development Standards available through BTCSD. We recommend contacting the Brooktrails Community Services District and Mendocino County Planning Department early in your planning process to discuss specific building requirements, setbacks, and design standards for hillside construction.

Pricing

This property in California's Gateway to the Redwoods is priced at $14,400 cash.

Owner financing is also available with $3,000 down and $249/month for 60 months ($17,940 total with financing). Monthly payments include principal, prorated property taxes, prorated Brooktrails TCSD fees, and a 3% ACH processing fee. No interest charged. No prepayment penalties.

Secure Your Gateway to the Redwoods Property Today

This property offers the rare opportunity to back directly to 2,400 acres of protected greenbelt in Willits. Contact us today to learn more about this exceptional opportunity. With paved access, available utilities, and that unbeatable location in California's Gateway to the Redwoods—surrounded by ancient forests, wine country, and the Mendocino Coast—this lot offers everything you need to build your Northern California mountain retreat or permanent residence. The combination of natural privacy, outdoor recreation access, and proximity to both wilderness and amenities makes this property stand out in the Willits market!

At Ashbrook Land Company we perform extensive research into all of our properties before listing them, but it is ultimately the buyer's responsibility to perform their due diligence before purchase. The information provided on this page is, to the best of our knowledge, correct, and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All prospective buyers are encouraged to contact the county to confirm legality or feasibility of any future development plans. Rural, undeveloped land can be dangerous due to terrain, weather, and poor or non-existent road access and calls for caution when visiting. Ashbrook Land Company will not be held responsible for any action or outcomes by visitors to a property of ours. We make no warranties or representations about the land, its condition, or what can be built on the property. Property lines in photos and the LandID interactive map are approximate and for visual purposes only. GIS/aerial maps vary slightly from actual property boundaries.