Road-trippers, who are always on the lookout for roadside attractions, this one is for you. If you’re near Willits, CA, the Gabriel Madrigal Bench is a sweet spot to stop and take in the greenery of California’s Northern Coast Range.
Stop here for views of forested hillsides, some birdsong, and fresh air. If there’s light fog, or it’s close to the end of the day, you might be in for a bigger treat — to see fog settle in the valleys, or watch the sun sink behind these mountains. It’s a lovely, calm, and quiet place to take a break from driving, have a quick snack, or pause if you need to stretch your legs.
This quick stop is on Highway 20, just a few miles east of the city of Willits. If you’re on the way to the Fort Bragg area and are driving in via 101 from the San Francisco Bay Area or Southern California, this place will most probably be on your route.
The Gabriel Madrigal Bench
I tried to do some research on the place, and my understanding of this place is that the plaque placed here at the spot honors a Willits motorcyclist who lost his life during an accident. A review on Google Maps talks of a ‘late’ person who put up a bench here before he proposed to his wife here. If one were to piece the two references together, we might have the story of this bench.
If you have more to add to this, please feel free to do so.
If you’d like to make a quick stop at this roadside attraction:
- The Gabriel Madrigal Bench is around 6 miles west of Willits.
- There are no signs on the road, but if you look for it, you’ll see a turnout that can accommodate a few cars.
- There’s a parking space, a bench, and some lovely views.
If you live on the US West Coast or are planning a visit, here are some quick stops road trippers might want to take note of:
Valley Views from I-5 between the Bay Area and So Cal
Mt. Shasta photo spot on I-5 in Northern California
Rim of the World (on the way to Yosemite)
Stop for some Elk, here (Oregon Coast)
