Chico California Tourist Attractions & Local Activities and events

Chico Funland	Top of Page

Are you looking for a clean, safe and fun environment for your family? With mini-golf, batting cages and roller-skating, Chico Funland, home of Cal Skate, may be just what you are looking for. Check out their website for more information.


Farmers Markets	Top of Page

Take advantage of all the wonderful produce grown locally at one of Chico’s Farmers Markets. Every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (rain or shine), you can find venders selling their goods in downtown Chico at 2nd and Wall Street. On Wednesday mornings from June through October, a Farmers Market is held at North Valley Plaza Mall on the corner of East Avenue and Pillsbury Road. For more information on these two markets, contact the Chico Certified Farmers Market, (530) 893-FARM.

The Thursday Night Market, put on by the Downtown Chico Business Association (DCBA), is held weekly from 6:00-9:00 p.m. during the months of April to October. This market is located on Broadway between 2nd and 5th Street and features local produce, arts and crafts and live entertainment. For more information contact the DCBA, (530) 345-6500.


National Yo-Yo Museum	Top of Page

The largest display of Yo-Yo memorabilia in the nation is right here in Chico. Located inside Bird In Hand (320 Broadway in downtown), the National Yo-Yo Museum is home to the world’s largest wood Yo-Yo weighing in at 256 pounds. Plan to be in Chico in early October for the annual National Yo-Yo Contest. The National Yo-Yo Museum is open daily and admission is free. For more information, contact the museum by calling (530) 893-0545 or check out their website: www.nationalyoyo.org.

Photo Courtesy National Yo-Yo Museum, Chico


Caper Acres	Top of Page

Caper Acres is a fairytale themed playground for young children. Located in Lower Bidwell Park, this is the perfect place to play the day away. Children can slide through holes in a giant wedge of Swiss cheese, play in a sandbox watched over by Humpty Dumpty and drink out of the lion’s mouth. Adults must be accompanied by a child 13 years or younger. Caper Acres is closed for maintenance on Mondays.


Chico Creek Nature Center	Top of Page

Located in the heart of Bidwell Park, the Chico Creek Nature Center is the official information and interpretive center for Bidwell Park. The center offers day camps, exhibits, field trips and volunteer opportunities. The Chico Creek Nature Center is located at 968 E. 8th Street, adjacent to Bidwell Park. For more information visit their website or call (530) 891-4671.


Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation	Top of Page

Visit lions, tigers and leopards located minutes away from Chico at the Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation. Open 7 days a week by appointment 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (530) 345-1700
For more information visit www.kirshner.org.

About Bidwell Park	Top of Page

Bidwell Park was established in 1905 by Annie Bidwell, wife of Chico’s founding father, John Bidwell. Originally the land was part of the Bidwell’s Rancho del Arroyo Chico, one of the first major agricultural proprietorships in California.

Bidwell Park was donated to the City of Chico via a series of deeds between 1905 and 1911, five years after John Bidwell’s death. The original property was approximately 2,300 acres. However, with subsequent additions and a recent 1,000 acre acquisition, the park now exceeds 3,600 acres, making it one of the largest municipal parks in the United States.

For more information on Bidwell Park visit the City of Chico Parks Department website or the Friends of Bidwell Park website.


Lower Park	Top of Page

Lower Park has endless recreational opportunities for the public, including children’s playgrounds, natural swimming areas, and paved paths for runners, cyclists, rollerbladers and walkers. This section of Bidwell Park features ball-playing fields, picnic areas, the World of Trees walk, which is accessible to the physically challenged, and the parks environmental and informational headquarters, the Chico Creek Nature Center. This portion of the park is open to motorized traffic, providing the perfect venue for some of Chico’s unique outdoor cultural events, such as Shakespeare in the Park performances.


One Mile Recreation Area	Top of Page

There is something for everyone at One Mile Recreation Area in Bidwell Park. With horseshoe pits, ball fields, picnic areas, Caper Acres playground and Sycamore Pool, the entire family will enjoy a visit to this area of Bidwell Park.


Caper Acres	Top of Page


Five Mile Recreation Area	Top of Page

The area of Bidwell Park know as Five Mile is located near Manzanita Avenue. It is an ideal spot to spend a lazy afternoon enjoying a picnic or taking a dip in the creek.


Upper Park	Top of Page

Upper Park remains relatively untouched with majestic canyons overlooking Big Chico Creek, which contains some of the most spectacular swimming areas in Northern California. In recent years, Upper Park has become a mecca for mountain bikers with 25 of its 35 trails open to cyclists. Equestrians and hikers also share this vast playground of recreational opportunities. Visitors to Upper Park can also enjoy the Kiwanis Chico Community Observatory, Hosreshoe Lake, Chico Bidwell Golf Course and Frisbee Disk Golf Course.


Hiking Trails	Top of Page

Hiking trails abound in Bidwell Park! Pedestrians are welcome on all trails and the pedestrian-only Yahi Trail in Upper Park is a favorite among locals. This trail offers hikers miles of scenic views along Big Chico Creek. Be sure to stop by the Chamber office to pick up a copy of the “Take A Hike” brochure for an overview of the many trails in Upper Park.


Equestrian Information	Top of Page

Equestrian enthusiasts also enjoy Bidwell Park. Horses are welcome on many of the trails in the park and equestrian events are held at arena off Wildwood Avenue near the entrance to Upper Park. For more information contact the Chico Equestrian Association by calling (530) 342-1539.