Chico is approx. 90 miles north of Sacramento (California State Capitol) and sits on the Sacramento Valley floor close to the foothills of the Cascade range to the north and the Sierra Nevada range to the south with Big Chico Creek being the demarcation line between the two. Incredible Bidwell Park bisects the city and earns accolades as one of the 9th largest municipally-owned parks in the U.S. If you love sunshine, Chico is one of the top metropolitan areas in the nation for number of clear days. Locals spends lots of time outdoors enjoying their parks!
Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park (SHP) in Chico is not only a state landmark, it also is one of the finest examples of Victorian homes in California. Bidwell Mansion is a beautiful, three story, 26 room Victorian House Museum that stands as a memorial to the Bidwell family legacy and to Chico's history. John Bidwell was known throughout California during the late 1800's and made many social, agricultural, political and commercial contributions. Bidwell Mansion is located at 525 The Esplanade. Daily tours offered and a fee is charged, parks.ca.gov
Bidwell Park was established on July 20, 1905 through the
donation of John Bidwell's wife, Annie, who deeded approx. 2,500 acres of
land to the City of Chico. Since that time, the City has purchased
additional land, such as Cedar Grove in 1922, and 1,200 acres of land south
of Big Chico Creek in Upper Park in 1995. Today, Bidwell Park encompasses 3,670
acres (nearly 11 miles in length).