Places to Visit

Centers and Gardens in Butte County

Chico

Chico Creek Nature Center
The official visitor information center for Bidwell Park. The Alice B. Hecker Native Plant Garden in front of the Center is maintained the by Mount Lassen Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.

CSU, Chico Campus Grounds
CSU Chico Arboretum, CSU Chico George Petersen Rose Garden, CSU Chico Mary Lemcke Camellia Garden, University Farm

Gateway Science Museum Gardens 
In addition to the Gateway’s eco-region-based landscaping and a native plants demonstration bed already in place, five raised beds are now dedicated to edible gardening.

Chico Seed Orchard
Located on 209 acres, in Chico, the Center covers of plant breeding research and plant introduction from all over the world.

Oroville

North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve
The approximately 3,300 acre North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve is an elevated basalt mesa with beautiful vistas of spring wildflowers, waterfalls, lava outcrops, and a rare type of vernal pool, called Northern Basalt Flow Vernal Pools.

Redding

McConnell Arboretum and Gardens 
The Botanical Gardens comprise 20 acres of mediterranean-climate display gardens, a children’s garden, a medicinal garden, and two beautiful and unique water features. The web site includes online plant profiles.

Davis

UC Davis Arboretum
Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, with no charge for admission, the Arboretum contains 100 acres of beautiful gardens, documented plant collections for teaching and research, and and demonstration plantings where visitors can learn about sustainable gardening for the Central Valley.

Butte County Farmers' Markets

Oroville Chico Paradise Farmers Market
This organization runs markets throughout Butte County.

An abundance of wildflowers grace the hillside of Table Mountain in the spring.