Via Oregon - September/October 2021 - 40

Chico, California
Tucked between two national forests about 90 miles
north of Sacramento, the city of Chico revolves around its
California State University campus. For a self-guided orientation,
amble around its bucolic grounds, where you can
stop to smell the roses in the garden behind Trinity Hall,
cross the bridge over Big Chico Creek, and try to identify
the 200 different species of plants. Besides the university,
the other big name in town is Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.,
which founder and avid rock climber Ken Grossman named
after California's famed mountain range. His homebrewing
operation grew to help launch a culture of craft beers. Head
to the taproom on East 20th Street to try one on tap.
Chicoans are also justifiably proud of Bidwell Park, an
outdoor oasis that occupies 3,670 acres stretching from
the heart of the city to the Sierra foothills. The park's most
beloved features are its different swimming holes: Close to
downtown, the tree-lined Sycamore Pool-a " living pool "
that resembles a river-is popular for midday dips. About
four miles northeast, at Five Mile Recreation Area, kids
splash in a shallow creek shaded by lush vegetation. Well
into the wild section of the park, you'll find Bear Hole,
where people jump from low lava-rock cliffs into cerulean
pools. Finally, if you're willing to hike a rugged, half-mile
trail, you'll reach many swimmers' favorite spot: secluded,
oak-shaded Salmon Hole.
40 VIA | SEPTEMBER+OCTOBER 2021
For lunch, make like a Wildcat and prowl to Madison
Bear Garden, which has been serving juicy Bear Burgers-
griddled patties topped with house barbecue sauce and
Thousand Island dressing-since 1977. If beef isn't your
beat, Pizza Riot makes entirely vegan and organic pies;
gluten-free crust available. Or get a seat on Grana's patio,
where you can bask in Chico's balmy weather while slicing
into a seasonal wood-fired pizza topped with farm-fresh
herbs and Llano Seco pork jowl.
For dinner (May through September), hit the Thursday
Night Market downtown, which brings the bounty of
area farms together with crafts and live music. Through
September 17, Friday Night Concerts liven up Chico's main
plaza as bands play and little ones frolic in the fountains.
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson is hyped as the next big hot spot, and for good reasons.
It's a Unesco City of Gastronomy that practically
overflows with tacos and tequila. It's a community-minded
college town whose residents celebrate the area's rich indigenous
and Spanish heritage and work passionately to protect
their stunning Sonoran Desert environs. It has a national
park inside the metro area. Yet it somehow manages to feel
undiscovered.
Many of Tucson's cultural offerings spring from the
University of Arizona. The Center for Creative Photography
COURTESY EXPLORE BUTTE COUNTY; OPPOSITE PAGE TOP TO BOTTOM:
COURTESY VISIT TUCSON; STEPHEN TAYLOR / ALAMY; COURTESY VISIT TUCSON
Via Oregon - September/October 2021

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