Chico Visitor Guide

Welcome to fall and winter in Chico. The temperatures may drop, but the fun continues. From the quiet beauty of art galleries and museums to the rugged mountain bike trails of Upper Bidwell Park, Chico offers an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities no matter the season or the weather.

As the shadows grow longer and the days shorter, the good people of Chico are happy to put the searing summer heat behind us and enjoy all the fall has to offer. Bidwell Park and the tree-lined streets of Chico turn resplendent with the colors of fall, and Christmas Preview kicks off the holiday season and brings downtown alive with activity.

Winter is quiet time in Chico. With the students on break and the fog wrapping the North Valley in its chilly embrace, the pace slows, the crowds thin and warm beverages and friendly conversation become the preferred activities for many. While many locals and visitors enjoy indoor activities this time of year, it never really gets cold enough to keep people from getting out and enjoying the area’s natural beauty.

Whether you’re a visitor or a new resident, you can find all the information you need about this lovely town in the Chico Visitor Guide, brought to by the Chico News & Review, Chico’s award-winning weekly newspaper.

Fall and Winter Highlights
Whether you enjoy art, music, theater or holiday events, Chico’s got something going on for you. The calendar is packed with special events. You can get the highlights here.

*Relocation Guide
An intro to your new town. This section will fill you in on everything from politics to demographics to transportation to the weather. Oh, and if you need to know where the mall is (that’s important!), you’ll find that here, too.

*Health & Wellness
A top-notch hospital and wide variety of health-care options make Chico the health-care center of the region.

*Schools
Educate yourself about Chico’s exemplary K-12 schools, both public and private. And for those under-5ers, there are some options for you, too.

University
Chico thrives in part because of its gorgeous downtown university, which provides the community with a wide array of educational opportunities, economic vitality and intellectual inspiration.

Downtown
To truly know Chico you have to spend some time downtown. Day or night, it’s the place to be for shopping, dining, entertainment, visiting with friends or meeting new people.

The Arts
It’s no secret there’s a vibrant arts scene in Chico. Check it all out, from galleries to theater.

Lodging
Check out our Lodging section and then check into a quaint bed-and-breakfast or one of the many conveniently located hotels or motels.

For the kids
Hey kids! There’s lots of fun stuff for you to do, too.

Excursions
Get up, get out and go experience the abundant recreational opportunities in and around Chico. Spend the day hiking, biking, climbing, golfing or exploring.

Fine varietals
Nobody ever said you had to go to Napa to visit wineries. There are vineyards and tasting rooms aplenty right here in Butte County.

Bidwell Park
The jewel of Chico, Bidwell Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the nation and the first place locals bring their out-of-town guests.

Fun on two wheels
As far as cities go, Chico is just about as bike-friendly as they come. From riding the streets to mountain biking in Bidwell Park, choose a route and go.

Nightlife
The nighttime is the right time! Chico’s evening activities span the spectrum of styles and tastes.

Dining
Deciding where to eat can be such an ordeal. You want Mexican, your girlfriend wants Thai, but her mom can’t eat spicy food. What are you going to do? Well, we can’t decide for you, but we can offer our comprehensive list of eating establishments, categorized for your convenience.

This Visitor Guide is published twice a year by the Chico News & Review, (530) 894-2300 www.newsreview.com

Copyright 2006 Chico Community Publishing.