Town House Motel

Packing List

by ABL1958

I went to Chico in late April. The daytime temperatures reached the mid-90's and dropped to the upper 60's to 70's at night. I found I was quite comfortable in shorts for the most part, and a light jacket or sweater as the day cooled. Up in the mountains, jeans were more comfortable as it cooled considerably. This picture is of mountain bikers in Bidwell Park.....yes....believe it or not the park offers even that kind of activity!

Co-eds and Burgers

by Etoile2B about Madison Bear Garden

Madison Bear Garden is known fondly as “The Bear”. It’s close proximity to the University campus (it’s practically ON campus) makes it a popular spot with the students. During the school year The Bear is overrun with drunk college students but in the Summer locals will stop in for a beer and a burger on the outdoor patio. During peak times this is a place to party, get drunk and watch sports. The décor is eclectic, the drinks are cheap and the burgers are good (or so I’ve been told… I haven’t had a burger in years). It’s definitely a “scene” on the weekends. Go for the burgers.

A Great Californian College Town

by mydreamquest

"Home of Chico State University"

Located 2 hours north of the Capital City of California, Chico is a scenic, beautiful city filled with tree lined streets and a warm spirit of its own.

It has to be one of the better road trip cities of California. It is also famous for being the location of California's infamous party college: Chico State University.

If you are a college student and decide to go on a "road trip", this is a great city to add to that list.

For those of you who aren't familiar, a road trip is very much a part of American Culture. Most college students have embarked on one during the weekend after a stressful week of Final Exams. Some great American movies that you can watch that will give you a feel for the American "road trip" would be Animal House, American Grafitti, St. Elmo's Fire, Sideways, Diner, and Harold and Maude

I think Road Trips relates to the American sense of independence and freedom and our romantic longing and desire towards escapism reflected as early as Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass.

Sorry for this horrible picture of Chico. Next time I go there, I will give this beautiful city more justice. But for now, I want to put it on the map as a recommendation to visit if you like driving on vacation and happen to be in California.

ABL1958's New Travelogue on Chico

by ABL1958

"Chico valley/Bidwell Park"

Flowers in abundance on the fields in a part of Bidwell Park. The picture doesn't show the blues and pinks amongst the yellows......there was such a perfusion of color! The air was hot and sweet, with a light breeze intensifying the scents.

"The Valley as seen from Hwy 32."

I was fascinated by the rock formations that wound like a snake up the center portion of the valley.

"again......the valley"

Before I went to California for the first time, I had no idea that the landscape was so varied. To me California always evoked images of crowded cities, vineyards, and rocky shorelines, but there is SO much more to it than that! Chico was yet another example of the differences in the state from region to region.

"a slightly different view"

"foothills of the Sierras"

Heading out toward the Sierras east of Chico. I'm not sure if the mountain you see faintly in the distance is Mt. Lassen....the day was a little foggy but nonetheless beautiful.

"Bidwell Park"

Another spot in Bidwell Park...taken from one of the many trails and footpaths that weave throughout the thousand + acres there.

"home on the range"

Bordering Bidwell park....pasture land, cattle. Very peaceful and......flat! (the land, that is)