DISCOVER
CHICO CALIFORNIA

It's situated at the base of the beautiful foothills and canyons where two great mountain ranges - the Cascades and the Sierra Nevadas - meet up.

The city of Chico is surrounded by rolling hills to the east and flat agricultural land to the west, all of which is traversed by creeks, streams, and rivulets that feed into the Sacramento River.

Its very unique downtown area lies between two of those waterways - Big Chico Creek to the north and Little Chico Creek to the south.

Chico California is Every Home Town, U.S.A. with families who have lived, worked, and raised their children in its small-town atmosphere for several generations.

And, though it has grown both in size and in population since those early generations of Chicoans, the city of Chico and its surrounding areas have managed to maintain that small-town feel.

One of the things helping Chico maintain its home-town-iness is that it's never far from its agricultural roots.

Just outside the city limits you'll find almond orchards (pronounced "ă-mond" in these parts - "a" as in "apple" and the "l" doesn't exist) and walnut orchards galore - they even have a festival celebrating their nuts - plus acres and acres of rice fields.

Chico Ranchers also grow pistachio, kiwi, olives, peaches, plums, pecans, and strawberries . . .

BUT PLEASE DON'T THINK THAT CHICO'S ALL COWBOY, NO CULTURE!

Because it wouldn't be true!

I'm dying to tell you about all the wonderful big-city-style things Chico has to offer! And the great thing is, you can enjoy them without the big-city-hassles of traffic, long lines, and long waits!

The performing arts community in Chico is very active, offering everything from belly dancing, to sophisticated comedies, to cutting-edge theater, to ballet, to Shakespeare in the Park Plaza.

Chico brings to mind artsy places like Carmel, Mendocino, and Napa because of the quantity and quality of artists and studios offering their works in a wide variety of media.

Did you know Chico was rated Number 10 out of the Top 100 Best Small Art Towns in America by author John Villani? It's true!

Downtown Chico is truly a not-to-be-missed treat! You'll not find chain stores or major chain-type restaurants here (very few, anyway).

Everything is one-of-a-kind, only-in-Chico where you'll discover unique clothing, gifts, jewelry, art, eateries, lodging, books, antiques, and much, much more.

You'll also find CSU, Chico and all that it has to offer - pretty much right in the middle of downtown!

There are so many things that Chico California is famous for I don't know where to begin, but I'll give it a shot:

• Chico's home to Orient & Flume Art Glass, and Satava Art Glass Studio
• And to Sierra Nevada Brewing Company










• It was home to John and Annie Bidwell, who - among many other things - founded Chico California in the 1800s


• It's been a temporary home to such people as Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland during the filming of The Adventures of Robin Hood, and Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh during the making of Gone With The Wind.
• It was also home to the Hooker Oak - purportedly the largest and oldest Valley Oak of its time, and the loss of which is still mourned by old-time Chicoans

SOME THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT CHICO . . .

For instance, did you know that Chico California has one of the largest city parks in the United States?

It's called Bidwell Park and the original parcel of 2500 acres was donated to the city of Chico by Annie Bidwell in 1905.

Since then, the city of Chico has added additional land, and today's acreage totals 3,670 acres.

Considering the relatively small size of Chico as a city, Chicoans are quite proud of their park!

SO STICK AROUND . . .

You may just be putting Chico California on your Bucket List of Things To Do Before You Die!

There's plenty to entertain you in and around Chico! Find out more:

Please continue your exploration of what Northern California has to offer by using the Nav Bar at the left, by using the links at the bottom of the page, or by using the customized search box below to find the specific topic that interests you.

Like what you're finding here at DiscoverNorthernCalifornia.com? Then please share with your Social Network (see the buttons in the NavBar to the left, or at the bottom of the page).

For more pictures of Northern California and other great stuff, check out my facebook page, www.DiscoverNorthernCalifornia.com. Become a fan, write on my Wall, contribute to the Discussion Board, post a Review -- join in the fun!