Skip to ContentChico State’s main campus is at 400 West First Street, a 132-acre designated arboretum with Big Chico Creek running through it. Weekday campus tours run 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., visitor parking costs $1 an hour plus 15 cents, and the Esplanade holds the Gateway Science Museum at 625 Esplanade and Bidwell Mansion at 525 Esplanade.
Checked November 3, 2026
- 132 acresMain campus, a designated arboretum
- 11 a.m.Weekday campus tours start; they end at 12:30 p.m.
- $1/hrVisitor parking plus 15 cents
- 1887Founded, per the university
Read this first: the hours, fees, rules and closures on this page were taken from the sources named beside them; we read those sources on November 3, 2026. Chico State’s Visit page and the posted hours on the Gateway Science Museum, University Farm and Chico Performances pages (read October 29, 2026 on our campus pages); State Parks for Bidwell Mansion. This is not legal, medical or safety advice. They change, so check the agency or business named before you rely on them. Anything we could not read is marked Not Confirmed where it appears.
On Campus
Tours
In-person campus tours are offered every weekday, start with an admissions presentation and then a walk that includes the Wildcat Recreation Center and Estom Jamani Dining Hall. Tours are available in English or Spanish; academic department tours are separate. Appointments: 530-898-6322 or info@csuchico.edu.
Parking
Two parking garages and eight lots; general (G) spaces are open to all drivers at any time; pay hourly with Passport Parking. The university says parking can be in short supply. Campus parking permits are required Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., per the page read October 29.
Food
The Wildcat Den, at the south end of Estom Jamani Hall, is open to the public for breakfast and lunch and has an espresso bar, per the university.
Shows
Laxson Auditorium has 1,200 seats and has hosted Chico Performances events since 1931; the box office phone is 530-898-6333. See Laxson Auditorium.
Along The Esplanade
| Place | Address | Days and hours or fees |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway Science Museum | 625 Esplanade | Thursday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; adults $10, ages 3 to 17 $5, Museums for All $3; Chico State and Butte College students free (read Oct 29) |
| Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park | 525 The Esplanade | Mansion closed since Dec 11, 2024; visitor center Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (State Parks, Nov 3) |
The Gateway museum is closed November 26, 2026 and December 20, 2026 to January 1, 2027, as posted. Farm-fresh goods: the Jay Gilbert University Farm Store, 311 Nicholas C. Schouten Lane, posts Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (store page, read October 29).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the public tour Chico State?
Yes. In-person campus tours run every weekday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and can be booked on the university’s Visit page.
How much is parking at Chico State?
The university lists $1 an hour plus a 15-cent convenience fee through Passport Parking, with general (G) spaces open to all drivers at any time.
What is on the Esplanade?
The Gateway Science Museum at 625 Esplanade and Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park at 525 The Esplanade, whose mansion is closed while its visitor center is open Fridays and Saturdays.
Sources
- Chico State, Visit: https://www.csuchico.edu/visit/index.shtml (read November 3, 2026)
- California State Parks, Bidwell Mansion SHP: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=460 (read November 3, 2026)
- Gateway Science Museum visit page: https://www.csuchico.edu/gateway/visit/index.shtml (read November 3, 2026, read Oct 29, 2026)
- Chico Performances: https://www.chicoperformances.com/your-visit/ (read November 3, 2026, read Oct 29, 2026)
Keep Planning
On The Map
Cite this page: It's Chico, “Chico State and The Esplanade”, itschico.com/chico/chico-state-and-the-esplanade/ (updated ). By the It's Chico editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.