The second largest municipal park in the country (after Central Park, NY): 3,750 acres of land along the banks of Big Chico Creek. The creek rushes down from the Sierra Nevada before it runs through several miles of Bidwell Park. The park contains an 18-hole golf course, baseball fields, swimming holes, and 2 children's playgrounds, plus roads and trails for jogging, hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.
We are a sleepy town 3 hours north of San Francisco, 2.5 hours south of the Oregon border. Our nearest major city is Sacramento, 2 hours to the South. We are protected by two Volcanos, Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta! We love it!
CHICO is predominately an Agricultural and University town with a definite Eastern (USA) flair for architecture. The main agricultural crops are Almonds, Walnuts and Rice. Chico is famous for Almond Blossom "peepers." Tour buses come for miles to view the almond blossoms in the spring. It is truly amazing.
It is a wonderful family town with the second largest park in the USA. We have many canyons in the foothills directing creeks to flow into Chico coming down from the high mountains. This provides great recreation. They all flow west into the Sacramento River which is only 5 miles away. It is not unusual to see a "gridlock" of tubers and/or Salmon fishermen on the river all spring and summer.
From Bud to Bloom
A good chill during November and December is the first step in coaxing the first almond blossoms from their buds. By mid-December, pollen grains are present, but the tiny buds remain dormant until early January.
Founded in 1887, CSU, Chico is one of the oldest post-secondary institutions in California and among the most highly ranked public universities in the West. When I first laid eyes on CSUC, I knew I was moving to Chico from the San Francisco bay area, and I did :-)
This historic mansion was built by Chico's founders - General John Bidwell and his wife Annie Bidwell. The Bidwells were married April 16, 1868 in Washington, D.C. with then President Andrew Johnson and future President Ulysses S. Grant. Upon arrival in Chico, the Bidwell's used the Mansion extensively for entertainment of friends. Some of the guests that visited Bidwell Mansion were President Rutherford B. Hayes, General William T. Sherman, Susan B. Anthony, Frances Willard, Governor Stanford, John Muir, and Asa Gray.
Chico is nestled against the foothills where the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountain ranges meet. There is much history here and the photos represent the perimeter landscape just a few hours from CHICO.
Layers of volcanic-mudflow lahars form cliffs; and sediments form gentler slopes below the cliffs. The Chinese came to these Canyons in 1852 to mine for gold.
Look up! to see Tuscon Formations above the Butte Creek Covered Bridge This canyon was a hot spot during the California Gold Rush days, and today it is still laden with much history and museums!
Downtown Chico The charming original brick buildings still remain which have all been refurbished. There still remain the fascinating underground tunnel systems constructed by the Chinese in the days of the Gold Rush.
Big Chico Creek - It's like the movie, "A River Runs through It." The creek runs through the center of Bidwell Park and the perimeter of downtown. There are many designated swimming holes and peaceful picnic areas.
So, here we are in Chico.... from our Little Corner of the Earth to Yours!
We hope you have enjoyed your Visit!
Cal & Jill
That's
Jill
at
5'9" tall
and
her car.
A pretty
amazing
size
comparison!
If you want to come to Northern California for a Vacation,
Yes! This is a REAL PHOTO!
The Esplanade - Chico's Main Arterial
Welcome to Far Northern California - USA
Our Hometown is Chico, CA! Being too small to show on the map - we're right below the arrow!
We are very fortunate to live in an area surrounded by rugged natural beauty
We call it God's Country!
Bringing in the 40-Degree New Year in STYLE!
Chico's Annual Polar Bear Plunge
Big Chico Creek - One Mile Dam
January 1, 2007
