About the Paradise, Magalia and Chico, California Area 

CHICO 

LOCATION 

Chico is located in Butte County in the center of Northern California between Redding and Sacramento. It is about 89 miles north of Sacramento going on Interstate 5 or on California highway 99. 

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS  

Chico has it’s own Municipal Airport 5 miles north of Chico. Chico residents and visitors can reach the Sacramento International Airport via Interstate 5 in about 2 hours and 15 minutes with a van ride service. Chico has Amtrak and Greyhound Bus services and is also served by local bus service in Chico and by the Butte County Transit system. There is also a Dial-A-Ride service called Chico Clipper. There are also municipal airports in nearby Oroville and Paradise. 

BRIEF HISTORY 

Founded in 1860 by John Bidwell, a member of the first overland wagon train to reach California, Chico has one of the most unique histories of any community in California. Originally part of the 28,000 acre Bidwell Ranch, General Bidwell was very anxious to see the development of a quality community in Butte County. Throughout the early development of Chico, the Bidwells were willing to donate land to just about anyone willing to build a house, church or any other public structure. In 1887 when there was a possibility for a new state teachers college, Bidwell indicated he was willing to give any part of his land to the development of this college in Chico. Of course this teachers college has now evolved into California State University, Chico. Over the years, Chico has grown with agriculture, education, medical, retail and tourism being the most notable industries. It is thriving and is a progressive community with a population of over 65,000 within the city limits and over 95,000 in the Chico urban area. 

EDUCATION 

Chico has 16 elementary schools, 3 middle schools and 2 senior high schools, as well as one independent study school and a continuation school. Three of the elementary schools are in rural outlying areas to serve students there. Chico also has 9 private schools and 1 Charter school with an enrollment of 272 students. The districts total enrollment is 13, 633. Chico middle schools’ curriculum is diverse with literature and writing emphasized. They boast that they are one of the leaders in California in developing the industrial technology program recommended for middle schools. They have their own student-run T.V. station and have 4 labs with over 220 computers being utilized on campus at the same time.
Higher Education in Chico includes California State University-Chico, which is 117 years old, making it the 2nd oldest university in the state university system. It has an enrollment of 16,000 students with 1,000 faculty and 120 majors to choose from, 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as 55 certificate and professional programs. It is known for its small class sizes and boasts the highest graduation rate in the state university system. Butte Community College, located between Chico and Oroville is a two-year community college with an enrollment of 14,000. Butte college has a full range of lower division courses for students preparing to transfer to a four-year college or university and more than 50 career education programs. The school also awards two-year Associate degrees. North State Cooperative Library System (on-line), Cal Northern School of Law, Destiny College (business and technical training), and CompuGuide (“QuickBooks” professional advisor) are also located in Chico. 

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT AREA?  

A living legacy to the generosity of the Bidwells is Bidwell Park, at 22,090 acres is the largest municipal park west of the Mississippi River. In 1937, “The Adventures of Robin Hood” with Errol Flynn was filmed there. The Bidwell Mansion has become a state historic park and offers daily tours of the mansion and five acres of landscaped grounds. The community has developed into the cultural arts and multicultural center for the Northern Sacramento Valley while retaining its small town flavor. The area is full of natural beauty – an arena for outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, fishing, swimming, golfing, horseback riding, tubing, and picnicking. Take a walk back into history by strolling through quaint downtown Chico or touring historic sites such as Bidwell Mansion, the Chico Museum, the National Yo-Yo Museum and the 1892 vintage train station, now home to an art gallery. Murals can be found throughout downtown. Chico parks are stages for outdoor Shakespeare performances in the summer along with comedy, theatre for children and musical concerts. The wetlands are home to the migratory waterfowl in the winter and beautiful spring blossoms cover the fields and orchards in the spring.
 

OROVILLE 

LOCATION 

Oroville, in Butte County, is centrally located in Northern California. Oroville is north of Sacramento and north of Yuba City. It is located just southwest of Lake Oroville. It has a small town feel with an easy commute to Chico. Oroville is nestled in the Plumas National Forest. 

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS  

Oroville has its own municipal airport and there is also one in Chico and in Paradise. Sacramento International Airport can be reached via a van service in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The Butte County Transit System serves Oroville itself. 

BRIEF HISTORY 

Oroville, the county seat of Butte County, was founded in 1849 along the Feather River with the beginning of the California Gold Rush. It was a mining town and has a rich history highlighting the California Gold Rush. It was first called Ophir City and soon became a Boom Town. It quickly became one of the largest cities in California filled with miners, saloons and pioneers. Oroville is still a picturesque and prosperous town that combines small town charm with diverse business economy. Museums, historic homes and murals throughout the town still depict and honor the history of Oroville, the City of Gold. 

In 1968 Lake Oroville was added to the Northern California water system and is the tallest earthen dam located in the United States. Over 770 feet high and 6920 feet across this structure is an imposing addition to the landscape.  

ABOUT EDUCATION 

Oroville has 3 Elementary School Districts. In these three districts there is a total of 13 elementary schools. In addition to these public schools, there is one private school, a Children’s Academy of Learning, 2 Christian schools, 1 Parochial school, and 1 Seventh Day Adventist School. There are 4 High Schools in Oroville. With low pupil to teacher ratio, progressive curriculum, and a supportive learning environment, Oroville is dedicated to education. Home study and independent study are alternatives offered by the Butte County Office of Education. 

Twenty minutes away is California State University in Chico, which is a 4-year high quality university with affordable tuition. Butte College is also 20 minutes from Oroville and is a 2-year community college. Butte college has a full range of lower division courses for students preparing to transfer to a four-year college or university and more than 50 career education programs. The school also awards two-year Associate degrees. Oroville also has an Adult School as well.  

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT AREA?  

Oroville is rich with a variety of 4 different geographic environments for recreation. They are the foothills of the Plumas National Forest with Table Mountain, Lake Oroville and Dam, Feather River and Feather Falls, and the Central Valley of California. Activities in Oroville include all the sports and recreation opportunities of hiking, biking, camping, swimming, boating of all kinds, water skiing, world-class fishing, golf, and parks plus a myriad of indoor activities with the wide variety of museums, including the 1853 Chinese Temple and Chinese Garden and the Pioneer Museum, historic Victorian homes, antiques and collectible stores to visit, and two casinos and two performance theatres.
 

PARADISE 

LOCATION
Paradise is located in Butte County in Northern California in the beautiful Sierra Nevada foothills. Its latitude is 39.759N and it has a longitude of –121.62W. It is 25 minutes (or approximately 14 miles) east of Chico, between California highway 99 and California highway 70. Paradise is located at about 2,000 ft. elevation, nestled in the beautiful tall pines trees and blue skies. Paradise is part of an area called “The Ridge” which comprises the communities of Magalia, Lovelock, Stirling City and Inskip. Paradise is north of Oroville, and of Yuba City and Sacramento. 

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS  

Paradise has a municipal airport and is close to both the Chico Municipal Airport and the Oroville Municipal Airport. There is a van service from Paradise to the Sacramento International Airport-it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Daily travel to work in Paradise is primarily via personal vehicles (car, truck, van or motorcycle) and by walking. There is also a transit system run by Butte County that operates in Paradise. 

BRIEF HISTORY 

The original inhabitants of the Paradise Ridge were the Maidu Indians who lived there for perhaps 10,000 years before the arrival of white settlers. In the 1850’s, gold miners came to the Ridge area from around the world. In 1859, the largest gold nugget ever found in California was discovered in the town of Magalia. It weighed an amazing 54 pounds, of which 49.5 ounces were pure gold.
Later as the gold rush slowed, the Paradise area continued to thrive as an agricultural area and a stop over for weary stagecoach travelers to Susanville and Nevada. Numerous families settled on farms and developed an extensive crop/livestock and orchard area in the foothills of Butte County. The 1880 census put the population at 301. Early on, lumbering was a significant portion of the economy with farming and orchards. At one time Paradise was known as California's apple center and to this day the Johnny Appleseed Day commemorates this heritage.
Today, the Paradise Ridge is home to over 40,000 people and continues to grow as more visitors discover this beautiful, friendly town with its breathtaking scenery and fresh air.  

EDUCATION 

Paradise has one unified school district comprising of 4 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 1 Home Tech Charter School, 1 Children’s Community Charter School and 1 High School. Fourteen miles away, California State University in nearby Chico is a 4-year high quality university with affordable tuition. Ten miles away is Butte Community College, a 2-year college with an enrollment of 14,000. Butte college has a full range of lower division courses for students preparing to transfer to a four-year college or university and more than 50 career education programs. The school also awards two-year Associate degrees. 

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT AREA?  

As the name implies Paradise is truly in a beautiful setting. It is located above the valley fog on a beautiful ridge that is below the heavy snow lines of the Sierras. Thus Paradise has numerous sunny days in the winter when other lower areas are covered with fog. In the summer the millions of pine trees contribute to the cooler temperatures in the Paradise area. Visitors and guests are warmly welcomed. Paradise residents are happy to see new faces. Outdoor activities include parks with trails for hiking, and camping, and fishing in streams and creeks. Town-wide festivals nurture and cultivate the already existing sense of community. Enjoy the Gold Rush days while visiting the Gold Nugget Museum and attending the Gold Nugget Days in April. There is room for a family to grow in and to roam in. Be careful when driving of the local wildlife that shares the area-deer, raccoons, fox, and a multitude of wild birds. In nearby Chico (14 miles away), especially at the California State University campus, a multitude of “big city” activities can be found-theatre performances, film series, along with fine dining and more museums in town.
 

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