Connect with Admissions
Ready to visit? We’re ready when you are. Schedule a tour today or reach out with any questions!
Phone: 530-898-6322
Email: info@csuchico.edu
Chico State Campus Tours
Explore the heart of our campus on an in-person tour designed to give you a true sense of what it’s like to be a Wildcat.
General Campus Tours begin with a short presentation from an admissions counselor, then you’ll join a student tour guide for an hour-long walk through campus. Along the way, you’ll step inside the Bell Memorial Union, meet with a University Housing representative, and get a feel for student life at the Wildcat Recreation Center. You’ll also have the option to enjoy lunch at Éstom Jámani Dining Hall.
Academic Department Tours offer a deeper dive into what you might study here. Led by faculty and current students, these tours give you a behind-the-scenes look at classrooms, labs, and workspaces used in your major of interest. (Note: These do not include a general campus tour—many guests choose to attend both.)
Group Visits
Chico State welcomes groups for campus tours led by current students where you'll be able to hear firsthand about many of our programs and what makes Chico State unique. All group visit slots for the fall semester are now full.
Schedule an In-Person or Virtual Appointment
Meet with an admissions counselor who can answer questions about your application, admission eligibility or transfer options. We are also prepared to share information with you about Chico State’s affordability, accessibility, student-centered community and experiential learning.
When scheduling an appointment, keep in mind that weekday campus tours are 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., so if you time your appointment right you can join a campus tour before or after your appointment with a counselor.
Schedule an appointment by calling 530-898-6322 or emailing info@csuchico.edu.
Virtual Tours and Online Info Sessions
If you can’t get to Chico, we’ll bring Chico to you. Meet an admissions counselor and current student for a live admissions presentation and take a live video walk-through of campus, where you’ll get to ask questions in real time. Or check out our campus at your own pace with a 360-degree video tour.
Planning Your Visit
Chico State is easy to reach: We’re 90 miles north of Sacramento and 174 miles northeast of San Francisco. You can drive here yourself or fly to Sacramento International Airport and take a private shuttle, bus, or train to Chico.
The University has two parking garages and eight lots. View Visitor Parking Map.
Many spots are restricted to permit holders; general (G) parking is available to all drivers at anytime. Parking can be in short supply, so leave time to find a space.
Pay for hourly parking using the Passport Parking website or app. Parking costs $1 an hour, plus a 15-cent convenience fee. Parking is also available at city lots right within easy walking distance to campus.
These directions lead to the intersection in front of the Bell Memorial Union (BMU), located at West Second and Chestnut Streets.
From Interstate 5 Driving North or South
- Turn east on Hwy. 32 in Orland.
- Continue on Hwy. 32 into Chico to West 2nd Street.
- Turn left on West 2nd Street and continue east toward the University.
From Highway 99 Going North to Chico
- Stay on Hwy. 99 North to Chico.
- Exit Hwy. 99 at Hwy. 32, turning left onto East 8th Street towards downtown Chico. Continue west to Chestnut Street.
- Turn right on Chestnut Street and continue north for six blocks to West 2nd Street and the University.
From Highway 99 Going South to Chico
- Take the East 1st Avenue exit and turn right. Continue west down East 1st Avenue.
- Make a left on Esplanade into downtown Chico and onto Broadway Street.
- Turn right on 2nd Street and go three blocks toward the University.
Chico offers a variety of lodging options, including charming boutique hotels, major chains, and extended-stay suites. Visit travelchico.com for options.
Campus visitors can find several dining options on campus, including full-service dining halls, food trucks, convenience stores, an on-campus natural food store, and coffee shops. The Wildcat Den, on the south end of Éstom Jámani Hall, is open to the public and serves breakfast and lunch while also offering a full espresso bar.
Get familiar with the campus before you visit.
Explore Chico
We’re partial to Chico, but then again, so are a lot of people. We’ve been named to lists including the “Best Places in America,” by Forbes and Outdoor’s “Best Towns” list. But rankings don’t make Chico special—our people do. We’re diverse, friendly, and open-minded.
Local Landmarks
Poke through downtown Chico’s local shops. Grab a quick bite at one of the farmers markets. Stop into Sierra Nevada or one of the other craft breweries or wineries. You’ll need a lot more than a day to explore all of Chico.
Restaurants and Dining
Mingle with students at casual downtown eateries, splurge for a pizza made with ingredients straight from local farms, or celebrate your Wildcat journey at a posh restaurant: Chico’s dining scene has something for everybody.
Outdoor Recreation
You don’t even have to leave city limits to enjoy hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and more: 3,670-acre Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the country, is right here. The Sacramento River, Lake Oroville, there’s so much to explore!
Arts and Culture
In addition to the art museums and galleries here on campus, you can turn to Chico’s arts scene for theater, music, film, and more memorable destinations like the National Yo-Yo Museum or Museum of Northern California Art.
Special Events
In addition to regularly scheduled tours, every year, we host signature tours and visits for prospective and admitted students.
Wildcat Preview
Our fall open house gives you a chance to see Chico up close. Learn about our academic programs and student support services, tour campus, and more.
Choose Chico
You’re in—let’s celebrate! Join us for this half-day event for accepted students. Meet faculty from your major and other incoming Wildcats. And start imagining yourself here.
Orientation
It’s official: You’ve paid your deposit and you’re truly a Wildcat. At Orientation, you’ll register for classes, meet your advisor, and connect with resources so you’re ready to go once you arrive for your first semester.
Connect with Admissions
Ready to visit? We’re ready when you are. Schedule a tour today or reach out with any questions!
Phone: 530-898-6322
Email: info@csuchico.edu