We asked what you love about Chico and you answered!
We can’t take credit for the idea: the Chico ER asked people to tell them what they loved about Chico and we thought it was such a good idea we decided to do the same.
A $100 Downtown Chico Gift Card was up for grabs, and we wish we had more, because it was a tough decision. So many people submitted gorgeous photos and inspired us with their comments. Pamela Dean-Dunlap was our winner, and here’s what she had to say:
Pamela Dean-Dunlap: Looking out on downtown
Several months ago I took my car in for a quick service on Saturday over at Chico VW so my husband and I were walking around, killing time.
We walked to the Saturday farmers market, noting an adorable wild rabbit in the parking lot next to Christian Michaels, then walked to Stoble coffee to check out the rooftop patio. It was such a welcome addition during a pandemic when you want to try & stay outside- yet the rooftop makes it feel special. It was our first time up there and it's beautiful.
Sitting overlooking the park, I noticed the trees were finally filling out and it was starting to look like a park again. I admit, I wasn't a fan initially of the switch from a tiny forest to the stage/fountain/concrete situation.
I hadn't noticed over the years since the renovation how much it changed and matured until I was at this vantage point, noting its now substantively shaded and nice- and we saw an owl flying over it!
For a moment, I was just stunned.
Its easy to get bogged down by day to day life & focus on nuisances & fail to notice how pretty the area is. Chico has a really nice blend of nature & city.
Those who feel negatively about downtown should go have a coffee on Stobles rooftop patio. #ilovechico
And here are more of the wonderful photos and written comments we received:
Comments:
And basically a fantastic list of local things to check out!
Emily: Genetic Resource Center, local coffee roasters, outdoor cafes, and our local farmers, ranchers and food producers at the Chico Farmers Markets.
Michelle McGivern: I love how friendly everyone is. This town has a good heart and warm, caring people.
John Howlett: Bidwell Park!
Jennifer Achille Parks: Our vast collection of Public Art ❤️
Danny Toms: The murals.
Christine Peace Wood: The Farmers Markets where we live the dream of community together.
Florin Barnhart: Saturday Farmer's Market and some nice places to volunteer like 6th street drop in center and the Hunger Trolley
Skye Li: Saturday Market and Butte Environmental Council
Jean Tobias: The beautiful trees! Gorgeous parks! The awesome co-op! Great stores downtown. Love it.
Wendy Barron: I still love going to S&S Produce for coffee every morning. And I still love walking downtown looking at all the little shops.
Mary Molthen: All of it! It’s still a great place to raise kids. Getting across town used to take 15 minutes, now maybe 20. Ocean, mountains and lakes are within reach for quick getaways.
Jay Cee: The diversity of people
Donna Aki: The restaurants, the Mall & downtown...beautiful..!!
Aldebra Schroll: The park was a great getaway during pandemic. I also love the smell of jasmine and gardenia while riding my bike through town.
Carol Davis: 😀♥️ l will say l do like CHICO CA. Especially it's friendly atmosphere! I love the old downtown area it's comradery, live theater , Farmers Market, and eateries down town. It has a fair and friendly government, including good schools and ample safe Security! A good city to visit with excellent colleges; a brewery, nice park and waterways. Just an all around good place to live with a family! The thing l dislike most about this city is it's overall city streets! I get lost easily... Well l did, after 20 years I can finally find my way😄😄♥️!
Sue Francis: I love that I raised my kids in Chico, and that they love it enough to have settled here and raise my grandkids!
Teresa Crippa: Did you see the colors on the Esplanade tonight? All the parks have given us so much pleasure. We have enjoyed the art, theater, museums, festivals, music, sports. What an amazing place to raise our babies with all the fun activities including boating on the lake. The passion in this community is overwhelming, but we will be amazing, because we have to be.
Susan Basting: I do love Chico been here since 1955 and I do stand up for this lovely town
April Hladik: Driving up East 20th street to check out the full moon rising, hiking Upper Park in most seasons, walking around my neighborhood and seeing all the decor in the yards, the GIANT magnolia tree outside the mansion, riding down to The Midway in the fall, catching an otter sighting off South Rim Trail, so many great people!…shall I go on? Kids sports! Friday night lights on the news 😁 #ILoveChico
Linda Crim: Lived here most of my life, great schools, wonderful park, cozy downtown, trees everywhere, and we have Linda Watkins Bennett who has been our news lady forever.
Liz Roberts: I still love to ride my bike around Chico. I live near the old Diamond Match Factory and it’s wonderful to ride through the neighborhoods admiring the lovely homes and trees. The college area, the campus and downtown are especially colorful this time of year. My ride continues to the farmer’s market which is an amazing display of the bounty of our area. Bidwell Park with One Mile Pool reflecting the incredible sycamore trees and sky makes me feel relaxed and happy.
Mardy-Nancy Teigland: I love how Chico opened their arms to us after the Camp Fire.❤
Julie Light: The friendly people, farmer's market, local restaurants, events and the park! The creek! The trees!
Dortha Wieck: My family hometown!
Jaime Koehler: Love the trees, the fall weather, the restaurant’s, the people and the small town feel with a little city thrown in 🥰♥️
Margaret Johnson: Of course I love Bidwell Park. I also love the farmer's markets, S & S Produce, Pullins Cyclery and Chico's History Museum and Heritage Association which helps preserve Chico's history building by building.
Samuel Monteon: My favorite things about Chico is Bidwell Park and all the trees throughout town, obviously!
Evelyn Rios: I love Chico. Nice community and I love all the trees in town
@_myaaa: The nature, ! love the trees the most
@beavalasvegas: The beautifully full community of makers, creators, and bakers who make their goods with such love. Ginger Bone, Muir Hughes, Strega Studios, Equilateral Coffee, Sherri the plant goddess, Moon Medicinals, Vegan Soup For My Family, the list goes on.
@boboschlemobo: The Helpers. The Makers. The Teachers. The people who take care of our beloved community: its wild places, its people, and the hope we hold in our hearts.
@mkbee333: I love the caregiving loving community of volunteers who give mutual aid and services to the least among us! (we should note, Mary Kay is pretty impressive herself.)
@yagzilla I love how community oriented Chico is. I can always find something on the weekend highlighting local vendors. Saturday mornings are my favorite, start at the Farmer’s Market then walk down to the Flume St Art Market.
@anthoful I love the vibrant community, the local restaurants and shops, and the nature.
