Chico City Guide

Good local food with a farmers' market and varied international options like Thai and Mexican. Many places accommodate vegetarians and vegans. Late-night food is available at some spots.

Downtown has bars, live music venues, and clubs catering mostly to college and local crowds. Karaoke is offered at a few spots.

Good coffee scene with local favorites and third-wave coffee shops acting as community hubs.

Tipping is expected in the US. Restaurants and rides 15-20%, cafes $1-2 per drink.

SIM cards are available from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile stores. ID is needed to buy one. AT&T and Verizon usually offer best coverage.

Clean streets in main areas with standard city waste services.

Limited 24/7 services. Some convenience stores open all day, emergency room is 24/7, but pharmacies are mostly standard hours.

Supermarkets like Safeway, Raley's, and WinCo have standard American products with some international items. Chico Natural Foods Coop offers organic and local produce.

Most businesses accept cards, so you usually don't need cash. It's good to have cash for small vendors or personal services.

ATMs are common at banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, plus many retail spots. Out-of-network ATM fees range from $2.50 to $5.00 per transaction.

Home to California State University, Chico with several public and private K-12 schools mainly teaching in English. Contact schools directly for admissions info.

A small but growing community supported by coworking spaces and cafés, with some online meetups and groups.

Excellent access to green spaces, led by massive Bidwell Park and several neighborhood parks.

Popular running trails in Bidwell Park with good safety during daytime and a supportive running community.

Several gyms with a range of options including 24/7 access and functional fitness.

Tennis courts at Community Park are available for public use.

Padel courts are not common in Chico.

Multiple yoga studios offer various styles and drop-in classes with English-speaking instructors.

Various martial arts schools offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, Karate, and Taekwondo with English-speaking instructors.

Ski resorts in Sierra Nevada mountains are a 2.5-3.5 hour drive away.

Kayaking and paddleboarding are available on local creeks and nearby lakes, with seasonal rentals.

No surfing as Chico is inland.

No diving near Chico; coastal areas offer diving.

Enloe Medical Center is the main hospital. Most clinics have English-speaking staff. Private healthcare quality is high and many pharmacies are open during normal hours, some longer.

Tap water meets safety standards but some contaminants have been found. Many choose to filter their water.

Many parks and playgrounds like DeGarmo and Caper Acres are great for kids. Family-friendly cafes serve kids’ menus. Attractions include museums and outdoor spaces.

An inclusive and accepting city with safe spaces, community events, and university support.

Pet-friendly parks, many restaurants with outdoor seating, veterinary clinics, and pet supply stores are common.