Lodging

After a long day filled with activities, you’ll definitely be in need of a good night’s sleep. In addition to the many recreational, entertainment and shopping opportunities Chico has to offer, the city is home to a variety of options for an overnight stay. Affordable motels and familiar chains are aplenty, but the city also boasts the historic Hotel Diamond and several charming bed and breakfasts for those who are looking for some serious pampering.

If you’ve headed into town without a place to stay, there are several motels and hotels visible and easily accessible from Highway 99. If you prefer being in the heart of Chico or close to the university, you can stay at one of the six downtown establishments. If more peaceful environs are what you seek, you might try one of the B&Bs tucked into quaint Chico neighborhoods or on the outskirts of town.

Reservations are highly recommended, especially for holidays and popular weekends, such as Memorial Day, Labor Day and, of course, university graduation. If you don’t already have reservations for graduation weekend, your graduate’s couch (or even one of the student dorms, which open to parents graduation weekend) might not sound too bad when compared to driving half an hour or more to the next town. If your student is graduating in 2009, believe it or not, you should look to secure accommodations as much as a year in advance.

Hotels and motels Downtown

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

Budget Inn of Chico
1717 Park Ave., 342-9472, www.budgetinnofchico.com

Days Inn
740 Broadway, 343-3286, www.daysinn.com

Heritage Inn Express
725 Broadway, 343-4527, www.heritageinn-express.com

Hotel Diamond
220 W. Fourth St., (866) 993-3100

or 893-3100, www.hoteldiamondchico.com

Thunderbird Lodge
715 Main St., 343-7911

Vagabond Inn
630 Main St., 895-1323, www.vagabondinn.com

North Valley Plaza

(Cohasset Avenue exit, off Highway 99) All of these accommodations are a stone’s throw from Highway 99.

Best Western Heritage Inn
25 Heritage Lane, 894-8600

Holiday Inn
685 Manzanita Court, 345-2491, www.holidayinn.com

Motel 6
665 Manzanita Court, 345-5500

Super 8
655 Manzanita Court, 345-2533

North Esplanade

Heading up the tree-lined Esplanade, a visitor will find a welcoming 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 Esplanade, 343-1621

Matador Motel
1934 Esplanade, 342-7543

Safari Motel
2352 Esplanade, 343-3201

Deluxe Inn
2507 Esplanade, 342-8386, www.deluxeinnchico.com

Super Chico Inn
2573 Esplanade, 566-1000, www.superchicoinn.com

South Chico

The most commercial end of town, near the Chico Mall, offers …

Oxford Suites
2035 Business Lane, 899-9090

Residence Inn by Marriott
2485 Carmichael Drive, 894-5500

Courtyard by Marriott
2481 Carmichael Drive, 894-6699

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.

Cory’s Country Inn
4673 Nord Highway, 345-2955, www.coryscountryinn.com. Overnight horse lodging available.

Goodman House
1362 Esplanade, 566-0256, www.goodmanhouse.net

The Grateful Bed
1462 Arcadian Ave., 342-2464, www.thegratefulbed.net

Johnson’s Country Inn
3935 Morehead Ave., 345-7829, www.northvalley.net/johnsonsinn

L’abri Bed & Breakfast
14350 Highway 99, 893-0824, www.northvalley.net/labri

Music Express Inn
1145 El Monte Ave., 891-9833, www.now2000.com/musicexpress

Rain Tree Cottage
22 Rain Tree Lane, 879-0858, www.raintreecottage.net. A one-bedroom cottage with a kitchen.