Discover
Chico, CA
About
Chico
A
land rich in Native American and Gold Rush History, was first
inhabited by the Maidu Indians, then Europeans in the 1800's.
In 1848, General John Bidwell, was a member of the first wagon
trains to California, and among several miners who discovered
Gold on the Feather River. With his new found wealth, Bidwell
bought 28,000 acres on both sides of Chico Creek and opened
the first store of the Gold Rush (located on the corner of
1st and Main – now Tres Hombres). The city of Chico
was founded in 1860 and later incorporated in 1872. What started
as a dream and a vision, has now blossomed into the successful
and rich city we now have today.
Chico
is home of the Chico
State University, founded in 1887 and built on land donated
by the Bidwells. The university is home to over 16,000 students,
and offers over 400 undergraduate and graduate academic programs.
As
you stroll the downtown area of Chico located at Main and
Broadway, you will find hot spots for the famous Chico Night
Life, novelty shops, music, antiques, gifts, and a large variety
of restaurants and tucked away eateries. The atmosphere is
filled with youthful enthusiasm and a popular attraction for
the young as well as the young at heart.
There
are plenty of things to do in and around Chico throughout
the year. From weekly Farmers Market, to Music in the Park,
local live theaters and fine art galleries. For the outdoor
enthusiasts you will find lakes, streams, mountains to climb,
bicycling, bird watching, and more all at our doorstep.
Listed
below you will find just a few of the things to see and do
in and around the Chico area. For a complete list, please
visit the official Chico Chamber
Of Commerce web site.
Bidwell
Mansion
The three-story
mansion is furnished with Victorian pieces, many having belonged
to the Bidwells. The carriage house stores four of Bidwell's
carriages. There is a visitor center next door which ofers
a gift shop, 25 minute movie of the Bidwells, and a wonderful
display.
Tours on the Hour: Tues - Fri, 12-4pm Sat. - Sun. 10-4pm
18 and older $4.00 5 - 17yrs. $2.00 Children under 4 Free.
525 Esplanade - 530.895-6144
Farmers
Saturday Market
Locally
Grown Produce, hand made goods, music and fun.
Every Saturday 7:30am to 1pm "Rain or Shine"
Located at 2nd and Wall St.- 530-893-FARM
Farmers
Market June
- October
Locally
Grown Produce, hand made goods, music and fun.
June - October Every Wednesday morning
Located at corner of E. Ave. and Pillsbury (North Valley Plaza
Mall)
For more information please call: (530) 345-6500.
Thursday
Night Market
Put on by the Chico Downtown Association is held weekly
Featuring local produce, arts and crafts, live entertainment.
Always a popular "Hot Spot" for downtown Chico.
April - October 6pm - 9pm
Located on Broadway between 2nd and 5th Street.
National
Yo-Yo Museum
Annual
National Yo-Yo Contest early October.
The
National Yo-Yo Museum is home to the world’s largest
wood Yo-Yo weighing in at a whopping 256 pounds. The Museum
is open daily and admission is free.
320 Broadway (inside Bird in Hand) - 530 893-0545
Barry
R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation
Visit lions, tigers and leopards located minutes away from
Chico at the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation.
Open 7 days a week by appointment 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
For more information please call: (530) 345-1700
Chico
Museum
The old Carnegie Library built in 1904 offers permanent
and rotating exhibits. Some of the permanent displays are
artifacts from Chico's Chinese Temple, 19th century musical
instruments, and other historical artifacts and photos of
Chico and surrounding area.
Open Wed. -Sun., Noon - 4pm. Free Admission.
141 Salem Street - (530) 891-4336
Stansbury
Home
Built in 1883 by Dr. & Mrs. Oscar Stansbury.This
Victorian style home is listed in the National Historic Register.
It is one of the most original and unaltered homes in California.
Sat-Sun., 1pm - 4pm. Adults $2 - Students $1- Under 10 Free
307 W. 5th Street - Special Tours: (530) 891-0585
Orient
& Flume Art Glass
Internationally known, Orient & Flume creates
beautiful and very intricate, three dimensional designs encased
in delicately hand blown glass.
Showroom open Mon. - Sat., 10am - 5pm.
2161 Park Ave.- (530) 893-0373
Chico
Fun Land
Home of
Cal Skate! Enjoy skating, batting cages, miniature golf,
hockey, and scheduled teen dances.
2465 Carmichael Dr. - (530) 343-1601
Sierra
Nevada Brewing Co.
Award winning
beer known across the nation. Come do a tour of the brewery
and visit their new gift shop.
Tours: Tues. - Fri., 2:30 Sat. 12-3pm
1075 E. 20th St. - (530) 893-3520
AMF
Orchard Lanes Bowling
2397 Esplanade
- (530) 895-3257
Bocce
Ball Court at Red Tavern
1250 Esplanade
- (530) 894-3463
The
Wing Group Balloon Co.
Enjoy a
breathtaking ride over Chico, North Sacramento Valley, and
Northern California, in one of our Hot Air Balloons.
Call to schedule your ride: (530) 519-7524
Honey
Run Covered Bridge
The Honey
Run Covered Bridge, built in 1894, is the only three-level
covered bridge in the nation, and one of the few still standing
in California. Enjoy swimming, wading, and tubing in the summer.
Don't forget to bring a picnic.
Follow Skyway 5 miles East of chico, turn left onto Honey
Run Rd.
Follow the road along the river. The bridge is on the right.
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