Chico, California

Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Geographic Coordinates: 39.757800, -121.816000

Climate: Chico, United States has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Population: 112132

Language: English

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Chico is a city located in Northern California, United States. It has a population of approximately 100, 000 people and is the largest city in Butte County. Founded as a trading post for gold miners in the late 1800s, Chico has an interesting history. Nowadays, Chico is renowned for its thriving arts scene, Beautiful parks and excellent outdoor recreational activities. Bidwell Park spans over 3, 670 acres and features hiking trails, Swimming holes and picnic areas. The park also includes the Sycamore Pool which is fed by Big Chico Creek.

The downtown area of Chico boasts numerous restaurants offering delicious cuisine from all over the world. There are also several breweries where you can sample local beers while enjoying live music or watching sports on TV. Chico State University adds to its vibrant atmosphere with over 17 thousand students enrolled each year. The campus features beautiful architecture including historic buildings such as Kendall Hall which was built in 1910. Another notable feature of Chico is its commitment to sustainability and green living practices with many businesses implementing eco-friendly policies such as using solar power or composting waste materials.

Overall, Chico offers visitors an unforgettable experience with its unique blend of natural beauty, Cultural diversity and rich history. Whether you’re interested in hiking through Bidwell Park or exploring downtown’s shops & restaurants – there’s always something new waiting around every corner!

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1. Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
2. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
3. Bidwell Park
4. National Yo-Yo Museum
5. Chico Certified Farmers’ Market
6. Chico Museum
7. Gateway Science Museum
8. Silver Dollar Speedway
9. The Bear Hole swimming hole in Upper Bidwell Park
10. The Stansbury Home

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1. Agriculture
• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Rice
• Citrus fruits
2. Education
• California State University
3. Healthcare
• Enloe Medical Center
• Other healthcare providers
4. Retail
• North Valley Plaza Mall
• Other shopping centers
5. Manufacturing
• Electronics components
• Food processing equipment
6. Technology
• Build.com
7. Hospitality
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Bars
• Entertainment venues
8. Construction
• Residential projects
• Commercial projects

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1. The founding of Chico in 1860 by John Bidwell, a pioneer and politician who played a key role in California’s early history.
2. The establishment of Chico State University in 1887, which has since become one of the top public universities in California.
3. The construction of Bidwell Mansion in 1865, which was once home to John Bidwell and is now a state historic park.
4. The discovery of gold near Chico in the mid-1800s, which led to a boom in mining activity and helped fuel California’s growth.
5. The Camp Fire that devastated the town of Paradise (near Chico) and surrounding areas in November 2018, killing dozens and displacing thousands.
6. Gary Nolan, former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams including the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants.
7. Aaron Rodgers, NFL quarterback for the Green Bay Packers who attended Butte College near Chico before transferring to UC Berkeley.
8. Annie Bidwell, wife of John Bidwell who was known for her philanthropy work and advocacy for women’s rights during her lifetime.
9. Stephen Jaxon Steve O’Bryan Jr., Medal of Honor recipient from World War II who was born and raised in Chico before joining the military.
10. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company founded by Ken Grossman is one of America’s most popular craft breweries located just outside downtown Chico that produces world-renowned beers like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale among others.

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1. Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
2. Chico Art Center
3. Gateway Science Museum
4. Patrick Ranch Museum and Education Center
5. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
6. The National Yo-Yo Museum
7. Chico History Museum
8. The Stansbury Home Victorian House Museum
9. Turtle Bay Exploration Park (located nearby in Redding, CA)
10. Laxson Auditorium at California State University, Chico (for performing arts events)

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1. Chico State Wildcats: The Chico State Wildcats represent California State University, Chico in athletics. The university has a successful history in basketball, soccer, cross country, track and field, softball, baseball and volleyball.
2. Chico Heat: The Chico Heat is a summer baseball team that plays in the Great West League. Founded in 1997, the team has won two league championships.
3. Butte College Roadrunners: Butte College is a community college located near Chico that competes in football, basketball, softball and other sports as the Roadrunners.
4. Northern California Rugby Football Union (NCRFU): NCRFU consists of rugby union clubs from Northern California including some from the greater Chico area.
5. Sierra Nevada Roller Girls: Since 2009 this women’s flat track roller derby league based out of Chico has been entertaining fans.
6. Bidwell Park Golf Course Men’s Club: Established over 90 years ago it hosts an annual tournament for members only called The Bidwell which began over half a century ago.
7. Chapman Town Ski Hill: In operation since 1960s this ski hill was located just outside of downtown until it closed due to lack of snowfall around 1990 but remains fondly remembered by many locals who enjoyed skiing there for decades before its closure.

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1. Chico World Music Festival
2. Chico Artisan Faire
3. Artoberfest
4. Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest
5. Taste of Chico
6. Oroville Salmon Festival (nearby)
7. Butte County Fair (nearby)
8. Chico Kite Day at the Park
9. Downtown Chico Christmas Preview
10. The Thursday Night Market in downtown Chico

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• Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is a well-known brewery and restaurant that offers a variety of locally sourced cuisine, including burgers, salads, and pizzas.
• The Red Tavern is an upscale restaurant that features seasonal menus with locally sourced ingredients and an extensive wine list.
• Crush Italian Cuisine & Lounge serves homemade pasta dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and a selection of wines from around the world.
• Tres Hombres Long Bar & Grill is a Mexican restaurant that offers classic dishes such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and margaritas.
• Morning Thunder Cafe is a popular breakfast spot that serves organic coffee and tea along with homemade pastries and breakfast burritos.
• Grana Wood Fired Foods specializes in Neapolitan-style pizza made with fresh ingredients cooked in a wood-fired oven.
• The Handle Bar is a gastropub that serves craft beer alongside pub fare such as burgers, sandwiches, wings, and mac n’ cheese.
• Upper Crust Bakery & Cafe offers freshly baked breads along with soups, salads, and sandwiches made from local ingredients.
• Lucero Olive Oil Tasting Room provides an array of olive oil types to taste for free which are produced by them.
• The Naked Lounge Coffee House is an independent coffee house serving organic coffee drinks, baked goods, sandwiches, etc.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Bidwell Park is a municipal park that spans over 3,670 acres and offers visitors hiking trails, swimming areas, picnic spots, and playgrounds.
2. Upper Bidwell Park is a wilderness area that can be found within Bidwell Park and is perfect for those who enjoy hiking or mountain biking.
3. The One-Mile Recreation Area is a popular spot for picnicking and swimming in the Sacramento River.
4. Hooker Oak Recreation Area has walking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds that visitors can enjoy.
5. Caper Acres is a children’s park with themed play areas as well as water features to keep kids entertained all day long.
6. Wildwood Park may be small but it still has plenty to offer including basketball courts and playground equipment for children to play on.
7. DeGarmo Community Park is one of the largest community parks in the area with sports fields, walking paths, picnic areas, and playgrounds available for use by visitors of all ages.
8. Annie’s Glen Trailhead forms part of the Chico Hiking Association trail system which runs through lower Bidwell Park allowing hikers to explore this beautiful area at their leisure.
9. The Silver Dollar Fairgrounds & Speedway hosts various events throughout the year including concerts as well as races at its speedway facility making it an excellent place to visit if you’re looking for some excitement!
10. Sycamore Field may be home to Chico State’s baseball team but it’s also open to public use during non-game times so why not take advantage of this great opportunity?

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Go Everywhere

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