Lodging: Chico’s classier crash pads

Don’t bed down in a sleeping bag by the creek; there are plenty of comfy motels and inns in which to rest.

This article was published on 10.31.02

Best Western Heritage Inn, located at 25 Heritage Lane just off Highway 99 near North Valley Plaza, is a popular resting spot for Chico visitors.
Photo By Tom Angel

Need a place to crash that isn’t a beer-soaked couch on the front porch of a friend of a friend’s house? Luckily, Chico offers more-than-meager accommodations. The many hotel, motel and bed and breakfasts in the city are suitable for most situations. Chico lodging can range from the inexpensive, good for one-night stopovers to more pricey digs at fine hotels with continental breakfasts.

Conveniently located close to Highway 99, most lodging can be found on short notice. However, reservations are recommended for Chico’s busy times of the year: Labor Day weekend, Memorial Day, Halloween and graduation weekend. The thousands of visitors who swarm to the small community book up the rooms, which may leave you on that couch yet. Planning ahead can turn your pleasure trip into a great business deal, or make your business trip a pleasurable experience.

Hotels and Motels

Downtown
There are four locations in the downtown area, all within easy walking distance of the university and shopping/dining/ nightlife.

Vagabond Inn
630 Main St. 895-1323

Thunderbird Lodge
715 Main St. 343-7911

Days Inn
740 Broadway. 343-3286

Heritage Inn Express
725 Broadway. 343-4527

Budget Inn of Chico
1717 Park Ave. 342-9472

North Valley Plaza
(Cohasset Avenue exit, off Hwy 99)

Zipping your way up 99 en route to Interstate 5? Here are some homey quarters a softball’s toss from the overpass.

Best Western Heritage Inn
25 Heritage Lane. 894-8600

Holiday Inn
685 Manzanita Court. 345-2491

Motel 6
665 Manzanita Court. 345-5500

Deluxe Inn, at 2507 The Esplanade, is an affordable motel choice for visitors.
Photo By Tom Angel

Super 8
655 Manzanita Court. 345-2533

The North Esplanade
Heading up the tree-lined Esplanade past Cohasset Road and the Miller Mansion, a visitor will find a strip of motels all ready and willing to rent a room for the night. They are all within a couple of miles from the college and downtown.

Town House Motel
2231 The Esplanade. 343-1621

Matador Motel
1934 The Esplanade. 342-7543

Safari Motel
2352 The Esplanade. 343-3201

Deluxe Inn
2507 The Esplanade. 342-8386.

Rio Lindo Motel
2324 The Esplanade. 342-7555

South Chico
On the most commercial end of town, near the Chico Mall, you can rest your weary head and wallet at …

Oxford Suites
2035 Business Lane, 899-9090

Bed and Breakfasts

If a more leisurely stay is what you’re after, Chico offers several outstanding bed-and-breakfast establishments. Rooms are limited; call ahead.

Camelot
2785 Eskin Maidu Trail. 343-8413

Esplanade Bed and Breakfast
620 The Esplanade. 345-8084

Johnson’s Country Inn
3935 Morehead Ave. 345-7829