Chico
Around Chico
Photo: Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · California · 208k people
Chico
Locals say Butte County · “City of Trees”
Where the hills meet the valley and the beer is cold.
Chico State CardinalBidwell GreenFoothill Gold
Welcome to Chico, where the park is your backyard and the beer is brewed locally. Whether you're here for the almond blossoms or the river floats, you'll find a friendly community that loves the outdoors.
Clubs for Chico
No clubs for Chico yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Chico. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Chico. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Bidwell Park One of the largest municipal parks in the US, with hiking, swimming, and picnic areas.
- Sierra Nevada Brewery Iconic craft brewery with tours, tastings, and a restaurant.
- Oroville Dam Tallest embankment dam in the US, part of the State Water Project.
- Sacramento River Scenic river for fishing, kayaking, and riverside walks.
- Bidwell Mansion Victorian mansion and state historic park, home of John Bidwell.
- Chico State University Public university with a beautiful campus and cultural events.
- Outdoors Hike Bidwell Park's trails
- Outdoors Swim at One Mile Recreation Area
- With kids Explore the Gateway Science Museum
- With kids Visit the Chico Creek Nature Center
- Evenings Catch a show at the Senator Theatre
- Evenings See live music at the El Rey Theatre
- Locals love farm stands
- Locals love craft breweries
Through the year
- Chico World Music Festival spring Global music and dance performances in downtown Chico.
- Chico Beer Week spring Week-long celebration of local craft beer with tastings and events.
- Chico Wildflower Century spring Scenic bike ride through almond orchards and rolling hills.
- Butte County Fair summer County fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Chico Air Show summer Aviation displays and vintage aircraft at the municipal airport.
Hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “The Park”
- Bidwell Park
- “One Mile”
- One Mile Recreation Area
- “The Dam”
- Oroville Dam
- “Go 'Cats”
- Chico State Wildcats
Getaways
Local flavour
Rooting for San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, San Jose Sharks
Eat and drink
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Brewed in Chico, a local icon
- Almonds Butte County is a top almond-producing region
- Olives Oroville-area olive orchards
Where people go
- Bidwell Park One of the largest municipal parks in the US
- Sierra Nevada Brewery Iconic craft brewery and taproom
- Oroville Dam Tallest dam in the US, a regional landmark
- Sacramento River Central waterway for recreation
- Almond orchards Defining agricultural landscape
Heritage and traditions
Chico is proud of its outdoor lifestyle, centered on Bidwell Park and the Sacramento River, and its agricultural bounty of almonds and olives. The city's history as a gold rush town and its resilient community spirit, especially after the Camp Fire, are sources of deep local pride.
This time of year in Chico
- Olive harvest October Volunteer picking and pressing in community groves.
Say it like a local: “That's hella cool” — A local way to say something is excellent.
Festivals
- Chico Art Center's Art Walk First Friday monthly Monthly downtown event, first Friday, showcasing local artists.
- Chico World Music Festival Summer Free outdoor concert series in summer, diverse genres.
- Chico Beer Week February Celebrates local craft beer with tastings and events.
- Oroville Chinese Temple Festival May Honors Chinese heritage with lion dances and food.
- Butte County Fair August Classic county fair with livestock, rides, and exhibits.
- Chico Blues and Brews Festival September Local blues bands paired with craft beer.
Landmarks with a story
- Bidwell Mansion Victorian home of John and Annie Bidwell, city founders.
- Oroville Chinese Temple Built in 1863, a rare surviving Chinese temple in California.
- Magalia's Old Town Gold rush-era buildings and the historic Lassen Trail.
- Pioneer Cemetery Graves of early settlers, including some from the Donner Party.
Food traditions
- Almond tasting tours Orchards offer samples of roasted almonds and almond butter.
- Olive oil tastings Local groves produce extra-virgin olive oil, often paired with bread.
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Iconic beer born in Chico, a point of local pride.
- Farmers market breakfast Saturday morning at the market, with fresh pastries and fruit.
Music and arts
- Chico's indie music scene Small venues like the Senator Theatre host local bands.
- Folk music tradition Influenced by the Grateful Dead's connection to the area.
A little history
- 1860s John Bidwell founded the city
- 1850s Gold rush brought Chinese immigrants
- 1968 Oroville Dam completed, creating a large reservoir
- 2018 Camp Fire devastated Paradise
Rivalries
- Chico State vs. Sacramento State Friendly rivalry in various sports.
- Chico vs. Redding Friendly North State rivalry for amenities and bragging rights.
- Butte College vs. Shasta College Community college football rivalry.
- Game day Chico State basketball
- Game day Friday night lights
- Outdoors Hike to the top of Bidwell Park's Monkey Face
- Outdoors Swim at One Mile Recreation Area
- With kids Splash at Sycamore Pool
- With kids Ride the Bidwell Park train
Chicoans speak with a mild Northern California accent, often using 'hella' for emphasis. You'll hear local references to Bidwell Park, the 'creek' (Big Chico Creek), and 'the hill' for Paradise or the mountains.
Only here
- Bidwell Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the US.
- The National Yo-Yo Museum is in Chico, with a giant yo-yo.
- Sierra Nevada Brewery offers free tours and tastings.
- The Salmon Festival celebrates the fall chinook run on the Feather River.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the heat: summers are hot and dry, so stay hydrated and use sunscreen.
- Learn to say 'Bidwell' correctly (BID-well) – it's everywhere.
- Get a bike: Chico is flat and bike-friendly, with many paths.
- Check the fire season: be prepared for smoky skies in late summer.
- Try the local olive oil and almonds – they're world-class.
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Nearby
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Chico, CA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.