Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
525 The Esplanade / (530) 895-6144
Web site
The Bidwell Mansion, a three-story Italianate villa, was completed
in 1868 and was the home of Chico founders, John and Annie Bidwell.
Many famous historical figures, including John Muir, Ralph Waldo
Emerson, and William T. Sherman, were guests at this restored
mansion located adjacent to Chico State University in downtown
Chico. Guided tours are available daily.
The Blue Room
139 West First St. / (530) 895-3749
Web site
The Blue Room theatre is an independent theatre group dedicated
to challenging artists and audiences with plays of depth and
vibrancy in an intimate environment.
Chico Art Center
450 Orange Street / (530)895-8726
Web site
Located in the renovated old Chico railroad depot, the Chico
Art Center has ongoing visual art displays featuring California
artists. The center also offers classes, lectures, and workshops.
Chico Creek Nature Center
1968 E. 8 th Street / (530) 891-4671
Web site
Chico Creek Nature Center is the interpretive center for Bidwell
Park. Programs feature nature walks and a Live-Animal/Living
History Museum designed to encourage responsible interaction
with the environment.
Chico Creek Theatre Company
166 Eaton Road / (530) 894-3282
Web site
Chico Theater Company (CTC) produces family oriented shows with
a heavy emphasis on musical theater. Their goal is to get people
to stay in this area and enjoy the wonderful local theater that
the Chico area offers. They also want to foster and grow an interest
in the performing arts through their youth theater program, Chico
Children's Theater Company (CCTC).
Chico Outlaws
(530) 345-3210
Web
site
Chico's Golden League professional baseball team plays at Nettleton
Stadium on the CSU, Chico campus.
Chico Museum
141 Salem Street / (530) 891-4366
Web site
The museum is located in the beautiful Arts and Crafts Carnegie
Library building. The history of Chico is featured as a permanent
exhibition. Many rotating historic exhibits are also featured.
There is no cost but donations are appreciated.
CSU
Chico Performing Arts
CSU, Chico Campus / (530) 898-4296
Web site
Chico Performing Arts offers a wide variety of live performances
from jazz and musicals to drama and dance. Please call or visit
the website for current listings of events.
Downtown
Murals
Chico is home to many fabulous murals. They are a delightful
touch to an already charming downtown. A complete mural map is
available at the Chamber of Commerce, located at 500 Main Street.
Farmer's
Market (held every Saturday, year round, rain
or shine)
(530)893-3276
Web site
The Farmer's Market, a long-time Chico tradition, features fresh
fruit, produce, flowers and more. Held at the Municipal parking
lot on East 2nd Street and Wall Street from 7:30 am -1 pm . Come
rain or shine all year long. |
Friday
Night Concerts
Web
site
For 28 years, Chico's favorite summertime tradition has been
the Friday Night Concerts. Held weekly from 7 until 8:30pm, the
Friday Night Concerts are Chico's best place to hear live, local
music. The concerts will be held in Children's Park adjacent
to the CSU, Chico campus. The concerts offer entertainment to
suit every musical preference - styles range from blues to swing
and from country to reggae.
Gold
Nugget Museum
502
Pearson Road / (530) 872-8722
The Gold Nugget
Museum is a history museum of the Paradise Ridge. While the
Museum covers the full range of human history on the Ridge,
its focus is on the Gold Rush years. The largest almost pure
gold nugget ever found in California, weighing in at 54 pounds,
was discovered here in 1859. The Museum is a community leader
in commemorating California's 150th anniversary of the discovery
of gold and becoming a state.
Honey
Run Covered Bridge
Web
site
One of the few covered bridges left in California and the only
tri-span bridge in the United States, Honey Run Covered Bridge
is located in beautiful Butte Creek Canyon just outside of Chico.
National
Yo-Yo Museum at Bird In Hand
320 Broadway / (530) 893-1414
Web site
This is the home of the Duncan Family collection and features
yo-yos from the 1920s through the 1950s. The world's largest
yo-yo can also be found here.
Orient & Flume
Art Glass Studio
2161 Park Avenue / (530) 893-0373
Web site
Tours are available to view the world renown Orient and Flume
glass artwork being created. Studios are open for individual
tours or guided tours of groups of 15 or more.
Satava
Art Glass
819 Wall Street (530) 345-7985
Web site
Studios are open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm. Hand-blown art glass and studio
demos available.
Shakespeare
in the Park
Cedar Grove, Lower Bidwell Park / (530) 891-1382
Web site
Sierra
Nevada Brewing Company
1075 East 20th Street / (530) 893-3520
Web site
Sample award-winning ales produced on-site and enjoy fine dining
in Sierra Nevada's taproom and restaurant. Tours of the brewery
are available.
Stansbury
House
307 W. 5th Street / (530) 895-3848
A guided tour is available of the 1883 former home of Dr. Oscar
Stansbury. The Victorian home is beautifully preserved. Tour
prices: $1 adults, $0.50 children. The house is located
on the corner of Fifth and Salem streets, and was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Thursday
Night Market (6:00pm - 9:00pm, all summer)
Web
site
The Downtown Chico Business Association presents, The Thursday
Night Market, a farmers market and entertainment for all. Held
between Main and Broadway and 2nd 4th Streets. For more
details contact the DCBA at 345-6500. |
Bidwell
Park
view
park map
Bidwell Park, Chico's crown jewel, was established in 1905 by
Annie Bidwell, wife of Chico's founding father, John Bidwell.
Originally the land was part of the Bidwell's Rancho del Arroyo
Chico, one of the first major agricultural proprietorships in
California. After John Bidwells death, Bidwell Park was donated
to the City of Chico via a series of deeds between 1905 and 1911.
The original property was approximately 2,300 acres. Since
that time, the City has purchased additional land, such as Cedar
Grove in 1922 and 1,200 acres of land south of Big Chico Creek
in Upper Park in 1995. Today, the total Park size is 3,670 acres
(nearly 11 miles in length along the banks of Big Chico Creek),
making it the third largest municipal park in the United States.
The park features an 18-hole golf course; baseball fields; swimming
holes; and a children's playground; plus roads and miles of trails
for jogging, hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.
Movies, such as the 1937 filming of the original Adventures
of Robin Hood starring Errol Flynn, gave the park national attention
with its towering oaks, bubbling creeks, and miles of majestic
views. Other movies filmed in Bidwell Park include Gone with
the Wind and Red Badge of Courage
Bidwell Park is comprised of three major sections: Lower Park,
Middle Park and Upper Park. Bidwell Park is divided by Manzanita
Avenue. The area west of Manzanita Avenue is referred to as Lower
Park and the area to the east is referred to as Upper Park.
Lower Park is flat and level with a thick canopy of Valley Oak
woodland and riparian vegetation, which provide ample shade for
visitors. Lower Park is a treasure trove of recreational
opportunities for the public, including playgrounds; natural
swimming areas; and vehicle-free roads for runners, cyclists,
rollerbladers and walkers all which are within walking distance
to downtown and the university.
Middle Park features ball-playing fields, picnic areas, the
World of Trees walk (which is accessible to the physically challenged)
and the Chico Creek Nature Center, the park's environmental and
informational headquarters. This portion of Bidwell Park is open
to motorized traffic, providing the perfect venue for some of
Chico's unique outdoor cultural events, such as Shakespeare in
the Park performances and the Chico World Music Festival.
Upper Park remains relatively untouched with majestic canyons
overlooking Big Chico Creek, which contains some of the most
spectacular swimming areas in Northern California. Upper
Park is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada with dominant
plant communities of chaparral, blue oak woodland, riparian vegetation,
mixed evergreen woodland, and ponderosa pine forest. The terrain
varies from rolling to steep, with many rock formations, including
the unique Chico Sandstone and Lovejoy Basalt rocks. In recent
years, Upper Park has become a mecca for mountain bikers with
25 of its 35 trails open to cyclists. Equestrians and hikers
also share this vast playground of recreational opportunities.
Recreation in Bidwell Park
Bidwell Park caters to many recreational past times. For those
interested in swimming, the Sycamore Pool, located at the One-Mile
Recreation Area, is an uncommon swimming experience. It is a
concrete pool built around Big Chico Creek with lifeguards on
duty from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend each year.
When swimming in Big Chico Creek be sure to use caution. Water
which may appear to be shallow and/or slow moving can actually
be swift and powerful. Stay in areas where there is no white
water and when possible, swim with friends. Also, as with all
other activities, bring enough drinking water to stay hydrated.
Mountain biking is one of the most common activities that takes
place in Bidwell Park. There are miles upon miles of trails to
ride on. Some of the basic bike rules are:
- No riding on Yahi Trail (a pedestrian only trail).
- No bikes on Upper Park trails when closed due to wet conditions.
- Helmets must be worn by people of all ages when riding off
of pavement in Upper Park.
- To further ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable time,
bring plenty of drinking water and a tire patch kit.
- Horseback riding is yet another common past time in the Park.
Because Park trails are mostly multi-use, there are abundant
riding opportunities for equestrians. Basic equestrian rules
are:
- No horses on Upper Park trails when closed due to wet conditions.
- Keep horses 100 feet away from established picnic areas.
- Cross the creek only at established and signed horse crossings.
Hiking in Bidwell Park is a perfect way to spend a day. All
trails in Bidwell Park are open to pedestrians. The pedestrian-only
Yahi Trail in Upper Park is a recommended visit. Yahi Trail offers
hikers miles of scenic views along Big Chico Creek. Be sure to
wear comfortable shoes and to bring plenty of drinking water. |
