Maps
Downtown Chico
Campus
Bidwell Park
Chico

Dining in Chico
Casual
Fine Dining
Coffee, Desserts, & Candy
Fast Food

Local Attractions
Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
Blue Room Theatre

Chico Art Center
Chico Creek Nature Center 
Chico Creek Theatre Festival
Chico Rooks
Chico Museum
CSU Chico Performing Arts
Downtown City Plaza
Downtown Murals
Farmer's Market
Friday Night Concerts
Gold Nugget Museum
Honey Run Covered Bridge
National Yo-Yo Museum
Orient & Flume Art Glass Studio
Satava Art Glass
Shakespeare in the Park
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Stansbury House
Thursday Night Market

Chico was founded in 1860 by General John Bidwell, a member of the first overland wagon train to reach California. Over the years, Chico has blossomed in several areas, with agriculture, education, medical, retail and tourism being the most notable industries. Chico is a thriving and progressive community with a population of over 49,000 within the city limits and over 91,000 in the Chico urban area. California State University, Chico (enrollment ~ 15,000) is immediately adjacent to downtown and located in a beautiful arboretum setting along Big Chico Creek. 

The "Big City Taste . . . Small Town Flavor" of our community makes Chico a great place to live and a fun place to visit. Chico is a treasure trove of arts and cultural activities and a playground for outdoor sports enthusiasts. Chico’s natural beauty can be appreciated through outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, fishing, swimming, golfing, horseback riding, tubing, and picnicking. A relaxing afternoon can be spent strolling through quaint downtown Chico or touring historic sites such as Bidwell Mansion, the Chico Museum, and our 1892 vintage train station that is now home to a wonderful art gallery.

Chico is a cultural oasis all year long, but the art scene really warms up with the approach of summer! Visual arts are displayed at every turn in galleries, cafes, and shops throughout the downtown area. Evenings offer a full range of entertainment. In addition to stirring drama, musical comedy, and free outdoor concerts, you can enjoy a festival of new dramatic works, theater for children, or Shakespeare under the stars in beautiful Bidwell Park.