Chico is located in the center of Northern California, 90 miles north of the State Capitol, Sacramento.
Incorporated in 1872, Chico is home to California State University, Chico, historic Bidwell Mansion, Bidwell Park (one of the largest municipal parks in the Nation) which starts just a few blocks from downtown, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, the National Yo-Yo Museum, and many other things that make our town truly special. Come for the Contest, come for the Museum, and you will also have a chance to see much more.
Flying to Chico :
Airport code CIC – fly into Chico:
Chico is served by United Airlines (via united Express/Skywest) with several flights per day linking through San Francisco. Rental cars are available at the airport counter, and taxi service is consistently available. Flying directly into Chico is the most convenient option. The added cost of the flight into Chico is often offset by the cost of a rental vehicles and fuel.
Airport code SMF – fly into Sacramento:
Sacramento International Airport is served by most major airlines and is a short drive (about 1 hour 30 minutes) to Chico by taking Highway 99 North from Sacramento. Rental vehicles are typically readily available at the airport. North Valley Shuttle is a shuttle service between Chico and the Sacramento Airport that provides rides for $40 one way. For more information, visit the NVS website.
Driving from the airport, exit onto Interstate 5 South toward Sacramento, then take the Highway 99 North exit (about 2 miles from the airport).
Airport code SFO – fly into San Francisco:
San Francisco International Airport is served by most major airlines and is at least a 3 hour drive to Chico, frequently longer depending on traffic conditions. Flights into SFO are plentiful and frequently slightly less expensive that a flight into Sacramento or Chico, however the convenience and time savings of flying into a closer airport is often well worth the small added expense.
See more about driving directions below.
Driving to Chico:
Chico is located at the intersection of Highway 99 and Highway 32.
From south of Chico:
Sacramento is the place to exit off of Interstate 5 or Interstate 80 and head north on Highway 99. Stay on Highway 99 all the way to Chico, about 90 miles.
For Downtown Chico, take the Highway 32/Downtown Chico Exit and head west into town. For the Holiday Inn, take the Cohasset Road exit.
From north of Chico:
Exit Interstate 5 at Red Bluff, taking Highway 99 South to Chico.
For the Holiday Inn, take the Cohasset Road exit, for Downtown Chico, take the Highway 32/Downtown Chico exit and head west into town.
From the San Francisco Bay Area:
There are two main options.
First – Interstate 80 East to Interstate 505 North at Vacaville. Take 505 north to Interstate 5. Follow I-5 north to Highway 32 in Orland, take 32 East and head to Chico.
Second – Interstate 80 East to Sacramento, then take I-5 to 99N to Chico.
Google Map centered on the Chico City Plaza (contest site):
