Things to Do in Chico in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Chico
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- April brings the last of the wildflower bloom on Table Mountain - purple lupine and orange poppies carpet the 10 km (6.2 mile) North Rim Trail above Upper Park
- Morning temperatures hover around 11°C (52°F) - perfect for the 25 km (15.5 mile) bike loop around Bidwell Park without the summer heat that drives cyclists off the trail by 10 AM
- The Sierra Nevada Brewery's outdoor beer garden opens daily in April, and locals will tell you the Spring Pilsner only appears on tap for four weeks starting mid-month
- Hotel rates drop roughly 25% the week after Sierra Nevada's Beer Camp ends in early April, when the university crowd heads home and downtown parking becomes manageable again
Considerations
- Afternoon winds kick up around 2 PM most days in April - strong enough to close the One-Mile Recreation Area's disc golf course when red flag warnings hit
- The Thursday Night Market doesn't start until May, so downtown's food truck scene is limited to weekend spots around 3rd and Main
- Bidwell Park's swimming holes are still 12°C (54°F) in April, which locals know means 'dunk and run' rather than lingering
Best Activities in April
Bidwell Park Trail Running and Mountain Biking
April's cool 11°C (52°F) mornings make this the sweet spot for tackling the 25 km (15.5 mile) Yahi Trail without the 38°C (100°F) summer heat that forces early starts. Wildflowers peak mid-month along Middle Trail, and the creek crossings are manageable without winter's mud. Morning fog typically burns off by 9 AM, leaving clear views of the canyon walls.
Sierra Nevada Brewery Tours and Beer Garden
The brewery's spring release schedule means April is your only shot at the wet-hop Southern Hemisphere Harvest Ale and their Spring Pilsner. Tours run every hour but the 3 PM slot catches the fermentation room at peak activity - the smell of boiling wort hits you the moment you step inside. The outdoor beer garden opens full-time in April when temperatures hit the 20s°C (70s°F) by mid-afternoon.
Downtown Chico Food and History Walking Tours
April's mild weather makes the 2 km (1.2 mile) downtown loop comfortable without the summer crowds that pack Chico State's campus. The Thursday Food Truck gatherings at City Plaza haven't started yet, so local spots like Madison Bear Garden's patio and Tres Hombres' rooftop stay lively with regulars who'll share stories about the 19th century tunnel system under 3rd Street.
Table Mountain Wildflower Photography and Hiking
The North Rim Trail offers 5 km (3.1 miles) of rolling grassland covered in April's last wildflower bloom - orange poppies and purple owl's clover create natural photo backdrops against the Sacramento Valley. Morning light hits the lava rock formations around 7 AM, and the 300 m (984 ft) elevation gain warms you up without being brutal.
Sacramento River Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding
April's water levels are stable from spring runoff but the river's still 15°C (59°F), so you'll see more kayakers than swimmers. The 8 km (5 mile) float from Scotty's Landing to the Highway 32 bridge takes 3-4 hours with the current, and morning runs mean bald eagle sightings along the cottonwood banks.
April Events & Festivals
Chico Wildflower Century Bike Ride
The third Saturday in April brings 3,000 cyclists on routes from 20 km (12.4 miles) to 160 km (99.4 miles) through the foothills. Registration includes local almond farmer aid stations and a finish party at City Plaza with live music and Sierra Nevada's beer garden. Even non-cyclists enjoy the celebratory atmosphere downtown.
Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Spring Festival
Early April's two-day festival fills the brewery grounds with 50+ guest breweries and live music on three stages. The experimental brews - think blood orange gose and barrel-aged stouts - only appear here. Locals treat it like the unofficial kickoff to patio season.