Discover Northern California
Shopping in Downtown Chico

Shopping in Downtown Chico is
a Truly Unique Experience

We were so surprised when we first visited Chico and explored the unique shopping in the downtown area - it's active and vibrant with lots of people walking around, and it's chock full of cute shops and boutiques.

You'll find there are very few chain restaurants and zero chain stores in the downtown area. What you will find are lots of unique, one-of-a-kind, locally-owned stores and restaurants.

I really can't say enough about the unique experience you'll find in downtown Chico! The shops listed here are just a few of our favorite places - there are many more to be discovered by you when you visit Chico, California.

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Come to Chico and stay awhile!

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Exploring Downtown Chico Shopping

The National Yo-Yo Museum, with the world's largest yo-yo and the Duncan Family Collection, is at the back of the store.

If you can get to the back of the store without buying anything, admission to the Yo-Yo Museum is free. The museum is definitely worth a visit! These spinners are not just child's play anymore; yo-yo-ing has come a long way, Baby!

And if you're visiting Chico the first Saturday in October, check out the National Yo-Yo Contest!

Made in Chico (on Main between Second & Third Streets)

Looking for the perfect souvenir/gift to take home to take home to friends and family?

This is the place! Everything here is made in the Greater Chico Area!

In the food category, you'll find honeys, salsas, olive oils, jellies. Hand-crafted items include hand-made soaps, lotions, baby blankets, hand-crafted willow furniture (miniature and full-sized), ceramics.

And there are plenty of pictures of Chico's iconic landmarks in the form of postcards, note cards, stationary, etc.!

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Shopping 'Till You're Dropping

5th Street Clothing (on Broadway, just south of Bird in Hand)

Curiously, 5th Street Clothing was on the corner of 3rd Street - not 5th Street - and Main, before moving to its current location on Broadway. (I believe it was once located on 5th Street though.)

It's a great place to shop for women's clothing and accessories that are casual, yet smart!

You'll get a friendly greeting and professional service whether you're in the market to buy or just to browse.

Campus Bicycles (on Main and 4th Street)

Chico is a bike-friendly town and Campus Bicycles has been providing bikes and bike services to Chicoans for more than 35 years.

If you're interested in seeing Chico on two wheels, this is the place to come - to buy a bike, to have your own bike repaired, or to rent one for the day, the weekend, or the week. It's a terrific way to get around Chico!

3rd Street Galley and Antiques (on 3rd Street between Main and Wall)

This unique store is run for the benefit of The Arc of Butte County, which has provided services for the developmentally disabled since 1953.

You'll find a shop filled to the brim with wonderful discoveries: art glass and other artwork from local artists, photographs, furniture, collectibles, antiques.

It's definitely worth a visit and, if you find a treasure you just can't live without, you'll have the satisfaction of contributing to a worthy cause.

Grace Jr. (on W. 5th Street near Salem)

A Chico icon!

Grace Jr. has been providing quality gift items, jewelry, greeting cards (including a drawer-full of risqué cards), home decor specialty items, and collectibles since 1963 and has been in its current location for more than 28 years.

See what I mean when I say that shopping downtown Chico is worth a trip? There are so many fun places to explore, you'll want to come and stay awhile!

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During your Chico visit, Check out these other attractions:

• Chico Culture
  Museums, public art, performing arts, and a new city plaza - it's all in downtown Chico!
• Chico Events and Festivals
  There are SO many things going on in and around Chico!
• Chico Farmers Markets
  More farmers markets than people? Not quite, but Chico does have eight farmers markets - quite a lot for a city the size of Chico, but they all work!
• Chico Things To Do
  You'll never have reason to be bored in Chico!

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