SeeCalifornia.com

The Spanish word “chico” can mean small, though a visit to Chico, Calif., a city of close to 100,000 people in the north Sacramento Valley, feels anything but little.  Expansive and open to possibilities, the city is quite innovative and forward thinking in its approach to the environment, especially.  Over-sized public art pieces that fill the parks and your imagination as you look up and ponder what in the heck some of the the metal or stone sculptures are trying to convey, provide a gateway to exploring Chico’s biggest and best attractions.

SEE CHICO CALIFORNIA BIG THINGS

• World’s biggest Yo-yo. Housed and on display at the National Yo-yo Museum, Chico also plays host to the biggest Yo-yo competition in the U.S. That’s a big deal!
• Bidwell Park. With 3,670 acres stretching nearly 11 miles in length, Bidwell Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States.
• Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park. One of the best examples of Victorian Architecture, the mansion is open for the public to see (parks.ca.gov)
• Chico State University (csuchico.edu). Chico State is the second oldest CSU campus. Founded in 1887, it celebrates 125 years. Chico State was the first university in the world to offer graduate degrees via satellite; has the oldest Computer Science department in the CSU system and one of the first in the CSU to be accredited; the first of its kind special education partnership in the state; first CSU campus to register a green building project; and first program in the CSU system and top among state campuses for reducing waste.