The city of Paradise, that is, which lies just across the Butte Creek Canyon from Chico.
Chico’s climate is so mild it’s practically Mediterranean. Yearly lows average between 55 and 65 degrees,and highs in the summer rest between 85 and 95. Honestly, it couldn’t get much milder.
When it comes to transportation, Chico is hooked up. We’ve got:
Plus at night, you can catch a ride in a pedicab, which is a cycle rickshaw, not a mobile nail salon.
Yep, you read that right. Weighing in at 250 pounds, this yo-yo resides in Chico’s National Yo-Yo Museum, which features the largest collection of antique yo-yos and hosts the National Yo-Yo Contest every October.
Honey Run Covered Bridge is over 100 years old and once functioned as the stagecoach road from Chico to the city of Paradise. It’s located in Butte Creek Canyon, which provides for some of the most awe-inspiring nature views and scenic bike trails in California.
Cal State at Chico has an impressive baseball stadium and the history to go with it. Now home to The Chico Wildcats, The Chico Heat and The Chico Outlaws, Chico has seen championship wins in all three divisions, and promises a good game.
It doesn’t get any better if you’re looking for local art than Chico’s annual Artoberfest. The whole month is chock full of Chico arts: there are 150 exhibits, multiple art fairs of various mediums and live concerts.
Plus the front row is a bunch of big sofas.
A buttload of big screen HD TVs, beer, tasty grub and good old bar comradery. Enough said.
All you have to do is stroll around town to understand why Chico got the nickname “The City of Trees.”
There’s beer, and then, there’s Sierra Nevada beer. This IPA brewing company is wholly sustainable and totally geeky about their hops. The Brewhouse Tour, Sustainability Tour and Self-Guided Tour are completely FREE, but if you want to get nerdy about barley, shell out $25 for the Beer Geek Tour. It’s totally worth it.
Since Chico sits on some of the most fertile soil in the world, it’s rich in a number of fabulous crops. While almonds have the highest production yield (read: thousands of acres of trees), we also grow lots of walnuts, peaches, plums and kiwis.
For some fun on a Tuesday night, all you need is six bucks in your pocket, a good friend and a ride to El Rey Theatre. On $2 Tuesdays you can get a ticket to an 80s flick (think Goonies), a Sierra Nevada and a bag of popcorn, all for $2 each. Thursdays: $3, same perks.
An intense collegiate environment drives the Chico’s culture and economy.Three major colleges call Chico home: Cal Northen School of Law, Butte College, and California State University, Chico. These institutions infuse some serious culture into the town and offer activities and events for students and residents alike.
You won’t find any asphalt here, so make sure to bring some sunglasses unless you want to end up with an eye full of dirt. Monster truck shows, BMX bikes...if it’s fast, it’s at the Silver Dollar.
The story of John and Annie Bidwell is integral to the history of Chico. They used their gigantic mansion and 26,000 acre grounds to entertain the likes of Susan B. Anthony and President Rutherford B. Hayes. If F. Scott Fitzgerald had set his magnum opus in California, this is what it would look like.
How can you resist a name like “Crazy Horse Saloon?” You know there’s local western flavor, cheap beer and probably a mechanical bull, but did you know that “Buck Night” means dollar drinks for everybody? Yeah, now I know you wanna go.
Seriously, there are so many in Chico you could make a day of seeking them out.
The Bidwell Park Golf Club is known in Northern Cali for its pro shop, hitting cages, and ranges. Whether you’re beginning or pro, you’ll have plenty of putting options here, and the on-site bistro is on par with the course.
I already mentioned that Chico is located along the Butte Creek Canyon, but to read about it and to explore its majestic beauty are two very different things. Your only option is to go, and when you do, you’ll have all this waiting for you: an ancient Indian burial ground, a 19th century cemetery, Chinese encampment grounds and plenty of swimming spots and trails to trek.
