24 Hours in Chico

A few weeks ago a friend and I headed Chico, CA for the day. A smaller town settled within the Sierra Nevadas, we headed there to take in the different landscapes and to check out all that it had to offer. I must admit- Chico surprised me in the best of ways. With an adorable downtown corridor, delicious restaurants, and some well know sights, it is well worth the drive if you’re looking for a quick trip in the Northern California area.


We began our day at the Sierra Nevada brewery tour. Started in 1980s and still family owned, this brewery prides itself in remaining handcrafted, using sustainable techniques, and their treatment of the hop flower. Filled with beautiful copper brewing kettles and elaborate murals of the brewing process, this brewery has an opulent style all it’s own. The hop flower sorting room smelled amazing by the way. I was surprised by the quantities of beer produced by both the west coast brewery and it’s newest brewery location in North Carolina. Every year they host an elaborate Oktoberfest out in the fields, with multiple courses of German food and some special seasonal brews. I’m looking forward to returning with a few friends and partaking in this regional tradition.

Looking for some deep thoughts from this caramel glass of ale? Make sure to read my previous post here.

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After tasting a lovely selection of beer we headed to the historic downtown corridor. Keep your eyes peeled for some beautiful sign paintings done on old brick, excellent shops, and delicious food. For lunch we stopped at Upper Crust Bakery. Featuring farm-to-table, organic items, this cafe served amazing food. It’s a must stop. I had the grilled cheese of the day, while my roommate had one of the most amazing sesame vinaigrette tuna salads I’ve ever tasted. Both served on some of their homemade breads, our sandwiches were made with love and you could taste the craftsmanship put into these loaves.

We headed through the various streets, knowing that there were some delights to be find. Urban Laundry and Syllabus are some incredible women’s boutiques. At French Quarter you will find local makers at a medium price range, featuring a bohemian vibe. Syllabus was by far my favorite storefront. With exposed brick, a store filled with natural light and a wooden clad loft, this space is stunningly beautiful. Featuring all American made designers, this store provided signature pieces in a variety of neutral colors to outfit your closet with some incredible basics. For beautiful pieces of linen, entertaining essentials, and a stunning collection of local home product head to Zucchini and Vine. Make sure to ask for a sample from the cheese counter and pick up a bag of loose leaf tea to take home.

If you have additional time make sure to check out the eating tour in the Chico area. Featuring olive oil and balsamic tastings, farm stands, and breweries, it is the perfect way to enjoy some of the fresh farm-to-table items this region has to offer. With finds like chocolate olive oil and strawberry balsamic vinegar, this tour will delight and surprise you with its offbeat treasures.

Until next time Chico!

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