Gateway Science Museum
625 Esplanade
(near Bidwell Mansion)
Chico, CA 95929–0545
Mailing Address
400 W 1st St.
Chico, CA 95929-0545
Current Exhibits
Visitors to Gateway Science Museum are welcomed by our saber-tooth cat and short-faced bear fossil replicas. These ancient California mammals guide us through our new paleontology exhibit! This exploration is a collaborative effort between Gateway Science Museum, the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at California State University, Chico, and designer Bart Hays.
Fossils Lab
Fossil fans and would-be fans will be awed! Gateway's Demo Lab has been taken over by Chico State GEOS Department as expert paleontologists and fossil scientists in training work on actual finds from the field. Watch live fossil preparation and chat with our Scientists in Residence!
Learn more about these exciting fossil finds and how you can pursue a career in paleontology on the Chico State GEOS website!(opens in new window)
Step out into the garden!
Gateway’s "Native Plant Pollinator Garden," designed and constructed in 2013 in collaboration with CSU, Chico Associated Students Sustainability interns and the Mt. Lassen Chapter of the California Native Plant Society in Chico, is home to more than 40 plants native to Northern California. These plants were chosen to provide food in the form of pollen, nectar and larval foliage for a wide variety of pollinators – bees, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles & birds. At any one time throughout the year, the garden will have between 3 and 5 different kinds of plants in bloom. Featuring The Foothills exhibit, highlighting four distinct eco-regions of Northern California's foothills environment. Learn more.(opens in new window)