A Weekend Trip to Chico
The City of Chico is a good time – and that is not a reference to Chico State University’s designation in 1987 by a national magazine as the top party school in the country. There is so much natural beauty, interesting culture, and good food and drink to enjoy within the City. As we head into spring, it is the perfect time to plan a Chico weekend!
A Bit of History
The Mechoopda Maidu Native Americans were the first known inhabitants of the area that is now called Chico, California. The City was founded by John Bidwell in 1860. He was part of one of the first wagon caravans to settle in California. Bidwell was a Brigadier General during the Civil War. He also became a state congressman and horticulturist. Chico is rich in agriculture, specifically almond orchards, rice fields, and various fruit trees. Chico is the most populous city in Butte County.
Modern-day Chico offers many fun activities to fill a weekend, some of which we explore below.
Bidwell Park
Bidwell Park was established in 1905. Its initial area was approximately 2,500 acres, which were donated to Chico by Annie Bidwell. Subsequently, the City purchased additional land, and today the park is comprised of 3,670 acres – it makes up over 17% of the City and is one of the biggest municipal parks in the country.
Bidwell Park offers many recreational pursuits. The most popular summertime hang-out is the Sycamore Pool, which is a concrete pool surrounding Big Chico Creek. Every summer, lifeguards are on duty.
Other activities to be enjoyed within Bidwell Park include:
- Mountain Biking on the miles of trails
- Star Gazing at Chico Community Observatory
- Disc Golf at Peregrine Point, an 18-hole advanced course
- Hiking – all trails are open to pedestrians, and Yahi Trail is pedestrian-only
- Paragliding – for information, see the Bidwell Park Fliers’ website.
After an afternoon of strenuous outdoor activities at Bidwell Park, you may want to seek out less rigorous pursuits. Downtown Chico has just the thing for that:
National Yo-Yo Museum
The National Yo-Yo Museum is located at 320 Broadway Street. It boasts the world’s biggest public exhibition of yo-yos and related memorabilia. The museum is open seven days a week, and there is no charge to tour.
The highlight of the museum is Big-Yo, weighing in at 256 pounds. Big-Yo was entered into the 1982 Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest functioning wooden yo-yo. It operates with the help of a skilled operator and a large crane. With some effort, Big-Yo and move up and down its string.
Regular public hours at the National Yo-Yo Museum are Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. The museum also offers guided visits by advanced arrangement.
Watch the YouTube Video: Yo-Yo Museum in Chico, California. In the video below, watch a tour of this fun Chico landmark:
Sierra Nevada Taproom
After a long day of swimming, hiking, and yo-yo-ing, one can work up a great hunger and thirst. With 21 beers on tap and a full lunch/dinner menu, Sierra Nevada Taproom, located at 1075 East 20th Street, can satisfy any weekend warrior’s culinary desires.
Sierra Nevada Brewing represents quintessential northern California beer. In 1980, Ken Grossman, a craft brew pioneer, began brewing in a warehouse filled with tanks, pipes, and pumps. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is an iconic libation that emerged years before the microbrewery trend began. Since the creation of their signature Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Brewing has added many other types of beer to their menu. The dining options include a large selection of appetizers, salads, burgers, pizza, and heartier fare such as grilled ribeye steak and chicken schnitzel.
Normal hours are Sunday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday/Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Chico Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Chico personal injury lawyer. If you suffered physical injuries that were caused by a reckless or negligent driver, reach out to my office for free & friendly advice at (530) 392-9400 or alternatively at (800) 404-5400.
My firm has assisted Chico residents to recover compensation due to injuries for longer than 38 years. Feel free to review my history of settlements and verdicts. Additionally, you can click below to read valued client reviews:
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