Things to Do in Chico in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
March Weather in Chico
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
55°F
High Temp
39°F
Low Temp
2.0 inches
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Trails on North Table Mountain and Upper Bidwell Park slicken and muddy after rain. Vernal pools leave standing water on the mesa. Wear traction and watch every step.
⚠ Storm systems swell area creeks fast. Never try to cross flowing water on canyon trails after heavy rain.
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + March owns the calendar for North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, 15 miles (24 km) southeast near Oroville. Goldfields, purple lupine, and California poppies ignite the basalt mesa. Phantom Falls, a 164-foot (50 m) drop, still roars thanks to winter rain. By May it's a trickle. You're here in the narrow window. Weather rules everything.
- + Almond orchards outside Chico and Durham bloom from late February into mid-March. White and pale-pink petals line the flatlands west of town. Bees hum low over the rows. It's free. Most travelers miss the timing. You won't.
- + Bidwell Park spreads across 3,670 acres (1,485 hectares), one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. March keeps it green and cool. Upper Park trails like Yahi and the climb toward Monkey Face feel easy under 55°F (13°C) afternoons. June will bake them brown. Go now.
- + Crowds stay thin and rates drop. Chico State is in session. Yet tourist traffic barely registers. Weekend tables downtown and rooms at the chain hotels along the Esplanade and Highway 99 sit open. March dodges graduation and big football weekends entirely.
Considerations
- − Weather shifts fast. Expect 10 rainy days and 2.0 inches (51 mm) across the month. One day can start at 39°F (4°C) under drizzle and finish at 55°F (13°C) under sun. Layer constantly. Pack rain gear.
- − Rain feeds the waterfalls and ruins the trails. North Table Mountain's volcanic soil turns to ankle-deep mud. Vernal pools force detours. Upper Bidwell Park tracks become slick trenches. Expect wet boots.
- − Downtown Chico roars on St. Patrick's Day weekend in mid-March. West 2nd and Ivy bar blocks fill with students. Loud. Crowded. Fun if you crave energy. Skip if you want quiet.
Year-Round Climate
How March compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C | 5°C | 2.0 inches |
| Feb | 13°C | 5°C | 2.0 inches |
| Mar | 13°C | 4°C | 2.0 inches |
| Apr | 18°C | 7°C | 2.0 inches |
| May | 23°C | 12°C | 2.0 inches |
| Jun | 29°C | 16°C | 2.0 inches |
| Jul | 33°C | 20°C | 2.0 inches |
| Aug | 31°C | 19°C | 2.0 inches |
| Sep | 28°C | 16°C | 2.0 inches |
| Oct | 22°C | 12°C | 2.0 inches |
| Nov | 15°C | 7°C | 2.0 inches |
| Dec | 12°C | 6°C | 2.0 inches |
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
North Table Mountain Wildflower and Waterfall Hikes
This is why you come in March. North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve near Oroville is a flat-topped basalt mesa. After winter rains, goldfields, lupine, and poppies carpet the plateau. Phantom Falls and Ravine Falls spill over the rim. By late April the color fades and the water slows. Cool 55°F (13°C) air makes the shadeless hike pleasant. Weekday mornings you'll share the overlook with almost no one. Mud and uneven volcanic rock underfoot are the trade-offs.
Booking Tip: Bring a CDFW Lands Pass to park unless you carry a California hunting or fishing license. Buy it before you leave town. Guided wildflower walks sell out during peak bloom. Reserve 10-14 days ahead through licensed naturalist operators. Check current options in the booking section below.
Bidwell Park Hiking and Cycling Routes
Bidwell Park is Chico's backbone, stretching from leafy Lower Park beside downtown into rugged Upper Park canyon. March is the sweet spot. Yahi Trail and upper routes toward Monkey Face stay green and dotted with wildflowers. Triple-digit summer heat is still months away. The spring-fed Sycamore Pool at One-Mile Recreation Area runs crystal clear but numb. Snap photos. Skip the swim. Bring traction for muddy patches after rain.
Booking Tip: Lower Park trails are flat and need no planning. For Upper Park, start on a dry morning and confirm gates open after heavy rain. Guided nature or e-bike tours book 7-10 days ahead. Use insured local operators listed in the booking section below.
Craft Brewery Tours and Tastings
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has anchored Chico since 1980. The large Chico brewery opens its brewhouse to tours where warm malt and hop aromas fill the air. A rainy March afternoon is perfect timing. Everything is indoors and toasty. Pair the tour with the taproom kitchen for a long, unhurried lunch.
Booking Tip: Weekend brewery tours sell out fast. Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead, near St. Patrick's Day. Look for operators that include round-trip transport so no one drives. Current tour options appear in the booking widget below.
Almond Blossom and Farm Country Drives
The Sacramento Valley around Chico and Durham ranks among the world's top almond-growing regions. For a brief spell in late February through mid-March, orchards bloom in sheets of white and blush. Drive back roads west and south of town in early morning when light is soft and bees buzz loudest. It's seasonal, free, and gone within weeks. Summer and fall visitors never see it.
Booking Tip: No booking is required for a self-guided drive. Bloom timing shifts yearly, so target the first two weeks of March. Some agritourism and farm-to-table tours operate in this window. Reserve 10-14 days ahead through licensed operators. See the booking section below.
Downtown Chico Food, Market, and History Walks
Downtown Chico is compact and walkable, framed by the tree-lined Esplanade and the Chico State campus. The Saturday Downtown Chico Certified Farmers Market runs year-round. March stalls carry early citrus, greens, and first stone-fruit blossoms. Start with longtime favorites: Shubert's Ice Cream, scooping since 1938, and Madison Bear Garden, a burger landmark since 1978. Circle Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park and the Chico State campus for a shaded, historic loop. Ideal plan for a cool, drizzly day when you want cover nearby.
Booking Tip: The farmers market needs no booking. Arrive before mid-morning for peak produce. Guided food or history walking tours typically book 7-10 days out. Reserve with licensed local guides shown in the booking section below.
Where to Stay in Chico in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early March
Bidwell Classic Marathon and Half Marathon
The Bidwell Park loop road race has been running for decades, threading through Chico's shaded streets and drawing Northern California runners every March. Even spectators win: cool morning air, lively park buzz. Arrive early, grab coffee, watch the crowd increase at the start line.
Mid March
St. Patrick's Day in Downtown Chico
Mid-March flips downtown near West 2nd Street into a roaring college-town party. Green gear, packed patios, thumping music. Dive in for the energy or detour for quiet. But plan your night around it.
Packing Checklist
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View Chico Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Hit Table Mountain during the first two weeks of March and aim for a weekday morning. Falls run hardest right after rain. Parking lot fills by late morning on sunny weekends during peak bloom.
When trails turn muddy, locals duck into the Gateway Science Museum on the Chico State side of Bidwell Park. Most visitors miss this rainy-day gem.
Skip chain coffee and stroll the Esplanade and campus instead. Bare-then-budding trees in early spring are the prettiest free show in town.
For almond blossoms, steer onto smaller roads toward Durham south of Chico. Orchards hug the shoulder and the bee hum vibrates through the car.
Avoid These Mistakes
Do not assume Chico in March is warm. Visitors pack for California sunshine and shiver at 39°F (4°C) mornings. Damp gray afternoons are normal.
Do not forget the required parking pass for North Table Mountain. Arriving empty-handed means a wasted trip. Buy the CDFW Lands Pass ahead of time.
Do not hike Upper Bidwell Park or Table Mountain trails the day after heavy rain in sneakers. Mud is real, rocks are slick, ankles roll every spring.
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Top-rated things to do in Chico this March
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