//
City in California, United States
Photo: Travisthurston, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Chico is in Butte County in California. Chico is the cultural and economic center of the northern Sacramento Valley, as well as the largest city in California north of Sacramento. The city is known as a college town, as the home of California State University, Chico, and for Bidwell Park, one of the largest urban parks in the world.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
This 26-room mansion formerly owned by John and Annie Bidwell was the first in the state to have indoor plumbing. 50-minute tours of the mansion depart at 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM.
The largest collection of yo-yos in the U.S.
America's seventh largest municipal park offers hiking, biking, swimming, and numerous other options for outdoor recreation. The lower section of the park begins near Highway 99 and extends north-east through the city and continues five miles into the foothills north of the city.
Aca Taco is one of the most popular late-night treats in Chico. Their popular burritos are a perfect addendum to a night well spent.
An expensive fine dinner restaurant, this small but divine steakhouse is known as much for its extensive wine cellar as it is for its steaks.
Awesome breakfast omelettes, especially the spicy Italian one with marinara sauce, melted cheese, sausage, and pepperoni.
Large portions and voted Best Breakfast of Chico for many years by vote in the local newspaper The Chico News and Review. They have a different flavor muffin everyday, and the muffins are recommended when the meal comes with a choice of bread. Breakfast potatoes can be made extra crispy if you ask and are particularly good if you do so.
Popular burger joint. Burgers can come with a crispy cheese skirt. Outdoor seating is available and preferable on a nice day since the inside can be a little cramped.
Expertly made, California-cuisine style meals. Reservations definitely needed on weekend nights.
This is one of Chico's landmark restaurants. Sierra Nevada Brewery has been a Chico icon since its founding in 1979. Chicoans take great pride in their local brewery and Sierra Nevada can be found all throughout the town. The accompanying taproom and restaurant is one of the most popular places to eat in Chico. Almost always filled to capacity, the wait can be long sometimes, but the prices are reasonable and the food is top tier.
California fusion cuisine and a wide variety of teas, the Chocolate Chai Frost being one of their most popular drinks. Although not stated on the menu any drink can be made into a frost, sparkling, etc. Just ask, for example, to turn a Strawberry Lime sparkling tea into a Strawberry Lime frost and they will be happy to oblige.
The title of best pizza joint in Chico is a contentious one and no one faults Woodstock's for throwing their hat into the ring. The variety of options and the tasty desserts are the perfect fuel for a night of studying or a night on the town.
Sawdust on the floor, music blaring, cheap drinks, a back patio, and a crowd that will be singing along after midnight.
"The Bear" as it is locally known is a favorite of the students of CSU Chico. A variety of burger variations is enough to keep any student sated for years. For the particularly adventurous the Jiffy Burger (a hamburger with peanut butter!) is a must. At night the Bear transforms from a kitchy burger spot for locals to a late-night party with theme nights, contests, and music on the second floor into the wee hours of the morning.
Take a tour, try some of the best microbrew in the country. Privately owned, the brewery offers an alehouse with excellent food and good beer for around $2.50 a glass. Try the beer sampler.
A favorite of students this cafe-cum-bar is an energetic and vibrant club known almost as much for its dance floor as it is for its Long Island Iced Teas. The fun tropical theme and fun atmosphere makes a fun alternative to some of the larger bars in Chico. While not a gay bar, it does have a gay-friendly atmosphere.
A good choice for business travelers. Reasonably priced with plenty of business centers and Wi-Fi throughout the facility, and a free breakfast buffet.
Outdoor pool and restaurant/bar available.
The original Diamond Hotel opened for business in 1904 as the "only strictly first-class house in Chico, and the superior of any North of Sacramento." A major fire in 1916 closed the doors. From the 1920s to the 1990s, the building was occupied by Chico State University students as dormitory or a low-cost hotel and eventually abandoned empty. The new Hotel Diamond opened its door in May 2005.
Selling a wide range of products, from Tommy Bahama to toys. Also has a Yo-yo museum, which houses the world's largest wooden yo-yo.
By car
Chico straddles SR 99, and is also accessible via SR 32 east of Orland at Exit #619 off Interstate 5 (I-5).
By bus
By plane
The nearest international airport is in Sacramento (SMF) located 90 mi to the south. Chico also hosts a general aviation airport known as the Chico Regional Airport (CIC) four miles north of the city.
Ride a bike. One of the best bike friendly towns around, the locals and students prefer to bike around it.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Redding · Regional · RDD
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Chico (California) and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.