A blurb of Chico, CA

sopas ej · #1 Posted **Jun 5, 2022, 8:16 PM**

I took Thursday and Friday (6.2-3.2022) off to go up to Chico; my sister and her family live up there, and I went up to go to one of my nephews' high school graduation. I've been to Chico quite a number of times, but I haven't been to its downtown in a while. It's a college town, with the university right next to the downtown, so it can get quite lively during the school year. But Cal State Chico had its graduations last month, so right now the downtown is sleepy. During the summer months they hold a Thursday Night Market, which can get pretty crowded, and can also make the downtown quite lively.

Anyway, here are some photos I took while I went on an errand with my sis. There were actually more pictures I wanted to take of downtown Chico but I didn't have much time.

Photo by me

Straight on, it looks like this:

Photo by me

But viewed from the side, it looks like this:

Photo by me

Cal State Chico is the 2nd oldest campus in the California State University system, founded in 1887 (San Jose State is the oldest, founded in 1857).

Photo by me

Photo by me

Oldest hardware store in Chico, which has been in business since 1871.

Photo by me

Photo by me

Chico incorporated as a city in 1872, but was founded in 1860.

Photo by me

Photo by me

Chico City Plaza.

Photo by me

My sister treated me to a coffee here. I had an oat milk mocha (didn't take a picture of it though).

Photo by me

The place is in a nice space, and it even has rooftop seating.

Photo by me

Photo by me

View of the city plaza from the roof.

Photo by me

The top of the historic Diamond Hotel.

Photo by me

homebucket · #2 Posted **Jun 6, 2022, 8:21 PM**

Great tour! Haven't been to Chico before but looks like a nice place to check out on the way up to a camping trip or something.

dktshb · #3 Posted **Jun 6, 2022, 8:54 PM**

Wow. It looks like a pleasant and interesting town. I too have never been.

202_Cyclist · #4 Posted **Jun 6, 2022, 8:57 PM**

Nice photos. Chico looks like a great college town. Of all of the Cal State campuses, Chico and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo probably are the best college towns.

mousquet · #5 Posted **Jun 6, 2022, 9:12 PM**

This is something with contemporary architecture and street art.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sopas ej

Straight on, it looks like this:

Photo by me

But viewed from the side, it looks like this:

Photo by me

They realized that mere modern Brutalism was a bit too brutal to most, cause it was mostly utilitarian and sometimes (or often) soul-sucking.
So they're trying to make something meaningful of their facades again.

So called street art is highly valuable for that reason today.

edale · #6 Posted **Jun 6, 2022, 9:41 PM**

Looks like a cute and cool town! I'd love to check it out sometime. Thanks for sharing your photos!

LAsam · #7 Posted **Jun 6, 2022, 11:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

Nice photos. Chico looks like a great college town. Of all of the Cal State campuses, Chico and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo probably are the best college towns.

Davis is pretty nice too! Never been to Chico, but looks like a quality place to spend a little time.

craigs · #8 Posted **Jun 7, 2022, 12:31 AM**

Nice photo tour of a great California college town. It is especially vibrant when school is in session, but the warm summer nights are also awesome. The town has a fantastic and expansive urban park that narrows as it follows the river into downtown Chico.

sopas ej · #9 Posted **Jun 7, 2022, 2:51 AM**

Thanks for the comments!

Yes, Chico is a great college town. Bidwell Park is supposed to be great, but oddly, I have yet to go to it... and I say "oddly" because I've been to Chico a number of times already visiting my sister and her hubby and kids, but haven't been to it.

The Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is also located in Chico. They have a great restaurant, which I've been to a few times with family, and I've had a few beer flights there. They also do a brewery tour and tastings, which I haven't done, but the restaurant is worth it I think.

ChrisLA · #10 Posted **Jun 7, 2022, 5:21 AM**

Nice tour I’ve never been there, only passed through in the middle of the night on Amtrak heading to Seattle.

The one thing that always stuck out is the reputation that Chico is the biggest party central college town in California.

geomorph · #11 Posted **Jun 19, 2022, 5:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sopas ej

View of the city plaza from the roof.

Photo by me

I wonder what the pinnacle is on the other side of the plaza?

EastSideHBG · #12 Posted **Jun 19, 2022, 1:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sopas ej

\
The Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is also located in Chico. They have a great restaurant, which I've been to a few times with family, and I've had a few beer flights there. They also do a brewery tour and tastings, which I haven't done, but the restaurant is worth it I think.

You beat me to it and I was going to mention this also. I haven't been to their Chico facility yet but hope to one day.

Great pics!

SLO · #13 Posted **Jun 19, 2022, 9:23 PM**

Very nice, been a while since I have been there

sopas ej · #14 Posted **Jun 20, 2022, 3:21 AM**

Thanks for the comments, guys!

Quote:

Originally Posted by geomorph

I wonder what the pinnacle is on the other side of the plaza?

That is an Art Deco-ish corner tower of the Senator Theatre, a Chico landmark. The building also contains commercial spaces:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.7283...7i16384!8i8192

I had wanted to take a picture of it, as well as the adjacent old Chico City Hall, and take pictures from within the plaza, but I didn't have time, as I was with my sister who was running errands.

mrnyc · #15 Posted **Jun 20, 2022, 5:12 PM**

charming and maybe rather wealthy looking place?

just wondering, but surely they have a chico’s shoppe …?

then someone could say, “i got it at chico’s in chico”