Things to Do in Chico

Chico's premier indoor climbing facility offering over 150 bouldering routes, dedicated auto-belay lanes, custom training gear, fitness equipment, and active community youth camps.

An iconic downtown Chico multi-level pizzeria celebrated for its hand-tossed pies with crust-stuffed edges, zesty secret sauce, local craft brews, and vibrant student-friendly atmosphere.

A vibrant downtown studio offering engaging art workshops, seasonal creative camps, private parties, and pop-up events designed for artists of all ages and skill levels.

Tech Toss is a community-driven initiative bridging the digital divide by upcycling e-waste and giving abandoned computers a second life. We turn surplus technology into tools for learning, creativity, and opportunity—reducing electronic waste while expanding access to those who need it most. Beyond repurposing hardware, Tech Toss serves as a community hub for education, offering workshops in computer basics, multimedia art, and career development, helping build a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.

Chico's ultimate local sports bar, grill, and live music headquarters featuring a full comfort food menu, pool tables, and an expansive indoor concert stage.

A local craft brewpub famous for artisanal wood-fired pizzas, house-engineered beers on tap, and hosting high-energy community live music events.

A charming neighborhood Italian eatery offering authentic pasta, wood-fired culinary dishes, and premium wines served on a spacious outdoor patio.

Downtown Chico's premier event space and community hub, serving specialty coffee and weekend brunch with fast Wi-Fi. The perfect vibrant spot to co-work, socialise, or host your next private gathering.

Modern local coffee shop and roastery in Meriam Park serving house-roasted beans, artisan lattes, fresh brunch options, and avocado toast with spacious indoor and outdoor seating.

An inclusive, open-hearted spiritual community in Chico honoring all paths to Divine Love through meditation, classes, and community connection.

Encouraging authenticity, individuality, & creativity through coffee & community. Our mission is to invest in our community, encouraging small business growth

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Established in 1913, Chico Women's Club has served as a home for women's voices, arts, and civic engagement for over a century.

3CORE is Chico's leading entrepreneurship and economic development organization, supporting startups, small businesses, and innovators across the North State. Hosts monthly networking events, pitch nights, workshops, and accelerator programs. Connects entrepreneurs with mentors, investors, and community resources. A vital hub for anyone building a business in the Chico area.

Serving California-inspired handcrafted American food, drink and specialty entrees using the best of what the season has to offer.

Located at the entrance of Bidwell Park at 1968 E 8th St, the Chico Creek Nature Center serves as the official Visitor Center for Bidwell Park. Features the Janeece Webb Living Animal Museum with 50+ animals including snakes, desert tortoises, scorpions, frogs, and spiders. Offers seasonal nature education programs, summer kids programs, family drop-in sessions, and the popular Nature ABC's program for children ages 0–5. Free admission on the first Sunday of each month.

Adventure Outings is CSU Chico's outdoor recreation program open to the broader Chico community — not just students. They offer guided whitewater rafting, hiking expeditions, kayaking trips, ski trips, and gear rentals throughout the year. Summer programming is especially popular with multiple weekly departures to Northern California's stunning outdoor destinations. Early registration saves 15%.

Orangetheory Fitness Chico at 874 East Ave offers science-backed heart rate zone training in a high-energy group fitness format. Their total-body workouts combine cardiovascular and strength exercises guided by expert coaches with cutting-edge heart rate monitoring technology. Open 7 days a week with classes from 5am to 9pm. First class is always free for new visitors — no commitment required.

The Butte Humane Society is Chico's primary animal rescue and shelter organization, operating entirely on community donations with no city, county, or government funding. They provide medical care, shelter, and love to animals in need across Butte County. Hosts annual fundraising events including the Caddies & Canines Golf Invitational, community adoption events, and volunteer programs. Every event directly funds animal care.

Since 1984, the LaRocca family has farmed 100+ acres of certified organic wine grapes at 2,600 feet elevation on the slopes of Mount Lassen in Forest Ranch. Their downtown Chico tasting room at 222 W 2nd St brings these handcrafted organic wines — made with no sulfites — to the heart of the city. Features a charming tasting bar, monthly rotating art displays from local artists, and knowledgeable staff. A warm, intimate wine experience steps from downtown's best restaurants and shops.

Chico's unique storytelling festival celebrating three years of community narrative arts. The 3-year anniversary marathon features 52 returning storytellers over three days at a secret barn location, all riffing on the theme 'Three.' An intimate, one-of-a-kind experience in the Chico arts community that blends performance, community connection, and the ancient art of oral storytelling.

Legacy Stage's mission is to produce, grow, and sustain high-quality, innovative professional theatre.

Stonewall Chico organizes the city's annual Pride Month celebration — a full-day festival at Downtown Plaza featuring live performances, local vendors, community organizations, and festivities celebrating LGBTQ+ diversity and belonging in the Chico community. One of the most energetic and welcoming community events of the summer, drawing locals and visitors from across the North State.

Chico's Saturday Farmers Market is a weekly gathering of local farmers, food producers, and artisans in downtown Chico. Shop for fresh seasonal produce, homemade goods, flowers, honey, eggs, baked goods, and local specialty items. A cornerstone of Chico's local food culture and community life, drawing regulars from across the city every Saturday morning.

Since 1978, the City of Chico has hosted a free, family-friendly outdoor concert series every Friday from late May through August at City Plaza in the heart of downtown. Local and regional bands perform on the plaza stage while locals bring blankets, picnics, and friends. One of Chico's longest-running and most beloved community traditions with a full named lineup each summer.

The Downtown Chico Business Association is the nonprofit behind Chico's most beloved weekly event — the Thursday Night Market. Since 1978, DCBA has transformed Main & Broadway streets every Thursday from April through September into a vibrant open-air marketplace with 200+ vendors, live music, food, farmers, artisans, and monthly themed community expos. They also organize signature annual events including Slice of Chico, Taste of Downtown, and more.

Performing-arts theater showing locally composed works as well as classics, plus radio plays.

The Chico Art Center strives to support and enhance art appreciation and provide the highest quality visual arts education; to encourage and advance excellence in the visual arts; and to provide artistic and cultural opportunities that celebrate our richly creative and diverse community.

The Museum of Northern California Art (monca) showcases the vibrant work of over 100 regional artists inside Chico's historic Veterans Memorial Building. Through rotating exhibits, diverse permanent collections, and community events, it provides an accessible, budget-friendly cultural experience for art lovers of all ages.

Chico's premier live music venue, hosting all genre's of music.

Enjoy the best burgers & local beers at Oasis Bar and Grill. Join us for daily happy hours & sports on 15 big screens!

Located in the heart of Downtown Chico, California. Chico’s premiere live music venue for weekday and weekend concerts, featuring nationally touring artists, diverse bands, DJs, and top local talent.

The Barn is an event venue and community center. We host free events, music, vendor pop ups and more.

Best Mexican Food in Chico Savor the Best Tacos, Burritos, and Margaritas in Chico

Discover authentic street tacos made with fresh ingredients and bold Mexican flavors at ACA Taco Burritos. Order tacos for dine-in, takeout, or catering.

We are a family owned & operated restaurant, serving the Chico community since 1984. Many of our recipes were handed down from our family who immigrated from Sicily in the 1950’s. We began in a small house in 1984, slowly expanded over the years and moved to our current location in Downtown Chico in late 2022. We now offer a full bar with small plates, a la carte entrees & a daily happy hour, a banquet room for private parties, and three course dinners that include local sourdough bread, antipasto and your choice of soup or salad with your entrees. We look forward to seeing you!

Locally-owned joint offering pizza & Italian mains such as pasta & chicken piccata, plus cocktails.

Relaxed restaurant serving Indian and Pakistani comfort food including goat biryani and naan, plus an all-you-can-eat option.

We are a family-owned and operated, locally-sourced restaurant. Our style of cuisine can be described as Upscale New American with very strong European influences. Our owners as well as Chef and Sous Chef are professional, highly-trained and very experienced. We serve delicious artisanal cocktails. Our cocktail menu has a great balance of classic Prohibition-Style cocktails as well as seasonal cocktails developed by our talented mixologists. Our wine list certainly has popular vineyards and wineries you will be familiar with but it also has many boutique wineries from California as well as other American Wine Regions. We serve wines from Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Austria and Israel, as well as many other countries. We are proud to have received awards for our wine list from Wine Spectator Magazine. Being a family business we place a very strong emphasis on customer service and we believe it shows.

We pride ourselves in personal service matched with the finest quality food. We feature U.S.D.A. Prime Cuts of Beef, Fresh Seafood, and an extensive wine list.

Where Craft Beer Culture Meets Sustainable Farm-to-Table Dining Step into the birthplace of the American craft beer revolution. Located right inside our historic Chico brewery, the Sierra Nevada Taproom & Restaurant delivers an unforgettable culinary and beverage experience.

Contemporary restaurant with Italian cuisine & brick-oven pizzas, plus a lounge & sizable wine list.

Parkside Tap House is a downtown Chico restaurant and tap house serving craft beer, handcrafted cocktails, and elevated pub food in a relaxed indoor and patio dining atmosphere. Parkside is a favorite Chico destination for lunch, dinner and gathering with friends.

A vibrant community cornerstone. Here, live music, artisan pizza, and an array of craft beer and cocktails come together in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Coffee Made for Community Carefully sourced and deliciously roasted coffee that brings people together.

Enduring sports bar & eatery offering hefty burgers & sides in a playful atmosphere.

ARTISANAL COCKTAILS AND A VIBRANT PATIO SETTING CREATE CHICO'S PERFECT BALANCE OF QUALITY AND FUN.