B
Bidwell Park
Ten miles of trail from the mansion to the upper gorge — the lower section works any evening, the upper section earns the trip.
Places
Where to eat, drink, shop and get outside in Chico, from OpenStreetMap and each place’s own website, with photographs of the places themselves.
OutsideAll 61
P
PV Pool (Pleasant Valley Pool)
Pumpkin Splash Saturday is a seasonal closer — the pool doesn't stay open much longer after this.
S
Sycamore Pool
At 95°F the municipal pools aren't optional — Sycamore is the better of the two.
T
The Barn at Meriam Park
Outdoor venue that holds a crowd differently than a bar — drag shows, live music, and community events all land here.
EatAll 200
M
Mulberry Music Station
Brewery with a built-in venue; the Thursday swing social is a Chico original worth seeing once.
T
The Commons Social Empourium
Rotating local music most nights with food a step above typical bar fare — a reliable Friday or Saturday anchor.
A
Aca Taco
The short answer to 'where should we eat before the show' on any Friday downtown.
B
Barajas Birrieria
Birria done properly — the consomé alone is worth the trip.
DrinkAll 35
A
Argus Bar + Patio
The patio is the town's most reliable outdoor bar; live music most weekends and a calendar worth bookmarking.
D
Duffy’s Tavern
Black Pine Revival's live video shoot tonight makes Duffy's the most interesting 7pm option if the concert halls feel like a commitment.
N
Naked Lounge
The downtown cafe that's been around long enough to be an institution; good for a slow morning before the markets.
S
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
The Big Room brings touring acts to a town that couldn't otherwise support the bill; the calendar is worth checking every week.
ShopsAll 59
T
The Broom Closet
Halloween market season is peak time here — worth stopping in before the 31st.
U
Uptown Vintage & Shabby
August Pop-Up today (Sunday) from 10am — summer hauls at this shop tend to be worth the stop.
M
Melody Records
Independent record store operating since 1979; the last surviving downtown vinyl shop in Chico's vinyl revival scene.
C
CommunityAll 57
C
Chico Art Center
Open Studios Art Tour runs out of here Saturday — pick up a map and make a morning of it.
C
Chico Certified Farmers Market
Saturday mornings at 7:30am downtown, Wednesdays at North Valley Plaza — both are real markets, not tourist markets.
C
Chico Theater Company
Community theater that programs musicals alongside original work — Cabaret is the current run.
L
Lost On Main
The honest late-night room for local and touring acts — small, loud, and consistent about what it is.