Downtown Chico is a place to discover year round with its ongoing street festivals, live music, foodie finds, an eclectic art scene, brand-name clothing, one-of-a-kind shops, historic tours and museums, impressive public art, a vibrant farmer's market, fun art programs, and a beer lover's paradise.

California State University, Chico, commonly known as Chico State, is a public university walking distance from downtown Chico, California. Established in 1887, it is one of the oldest post-secondary institutions in the California State University system. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with notable strengths in business, education, engineering, and environmental sciences. The campus is known for its beautiful, tree-lined grounds and a commitment to sustainability, providing a vibrant and supportive environment for over 16,000 students.

Lower Bidwell Park's One-Mile Recreation Area, often referred to simply as "One-Mile," is a popular spot located in the heart of Bidwell Park in Chico, California. This scenic area is a hub of outdoor activity and community gathering, known for its large, picturesque swimming hole that is a favorite among locals during the hot summer months. Surrounded by lush greenery, One-Mile features expansive picnic areas, playgrounds, and a variety of recreational facilities including volleyball courts, a softball field, and numerous trails for walking and biking.

Fur­ther into Upper Bid­well Park, Salmon Hole offers one of the most scenic swim­ming expe­ri­ences in the area. You’ll need to work hard­er to get there as it’s over a half mile away from the Diver­sion Dam park­ing lot (Lot L) along the Yahi Trail. With Upper Park Road closed on Sun­days and Mon­days past the Horse­shoe Lake park­ing lot (Lot E), it takes a lit­tle under two and a half miles to hike or bike in via Upper Park Road. The final approach down into Salmon Hole is also steep­er and more rugged than the pre­vi­ous swim­ming des­ti­na­tions. Those that make it will be reward­ed with one of the largest nat­ur­al pools on Big Chico Creek and many enjoy­able side-pools. Salmon Hole, sur­round­ed by groves of oak and steep cliffs, also offers ample shade. You might even see some rock climbers tak­ing on the steep rock walls nearby

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., founded in 1980 in Chico, California, is one of the pioneers of the craft beer movement in the United States. Known for its flagship Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada has grown into one of the largest and most respected craft breweries in the nation. The brewery is celebrated for its commitment to sustainability, utilizing solar energy and waste reduction practices. Visitors to the Chico brewery can enjoy tours that showcase the brewing process, sample a variety of beers at the taproom, and dine at the onsite restaurant, which features dishes crafted to pair well with their distinct brews. The beautiful, hop-covered grounds and the warm, inviting atmosphere make it a must-visit for beer enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

One of the best places for wine tasting near Chico, CA, is the New Clairvaux Vineyard, located in the small town of Vina, about 20 miles north of Chico. This unique winery is situated within the historic grounds of the Trappist-Cistercian Abbey of New Clairvaux, offering a serene and spiritually enriching setting for wine tasting. The vineyard is known for its sustainable viticulture practices and produces a diverse range of wines, including Petit Syrah, Tempranillo, and Viognier. The monks and local vintners collaborate to create wines that reflect the rich terroir of the Sacramento Valley.

Visitors can enjoy guided tastings in the tasting room, which features the original stones of a 12th-century Cistercian monastery from Spain. Tours of the historic grounds and the opportunity to learn about the monastic life add to the uniqueness of the wine-tasting experience.

If you're looking for a stunning spring wildflower display, head to Table Mountain, a volcanic plateau situated just north of Chico, California. This elevated mesa, officially called the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, boasts breathtaking views of Butte County, waterfalls, and distinctive basalt rock formations, perfect for a scenic hik