Things to Do in Chico in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Chico
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + Clear, crisp mornings with golden light on the valley floor, good for photography on the Honey Run Covered Bridge loop before the marine layer burns off.
- + Late-harvest olive oil tastings at the private orchards along Dayton Road. Press dates run into early November and the peppery, green-tinged oil is still warm from the mill.
- + Bidwell Park turns copper and rust; Upper Park's North Rim Trail is empty enough that the crunch of leaves underfoot echoes off the basalt cliffs.
- + Downtown's Thursday Night Market stays open through Thanksgiving, live music in City Plaza, wood-smoke from grilled corn, and local craft beer pouring outside the old Capitol building.
- − Afternoon river fog rolls up the valley and can drop visibility on Highway 99 to under 400 m (1,312 ft); plan extra drive time if you're heading to Paradise or Oroville.
- − Some Upper Park trails close early for winter fire risk. The gate at Diversion Dam typically locks at 5:30 p.m., cutting short sunset hikes.
- − Hotel rates spike the weekend of the Silver Dollar Speedway finale, book 3, 4 weeks out if you need a room near downtown.
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
November's cool 15°C (59°F) highs and dry soil make the Yahi Trail and North Rim good for long loops without summer dust. Cottonwood and sycamore leaves carpet the path and the creek still carries enough water for mirror-like reflections under the One-Mile Recreation Area bridge.
November is Fresh Hop Ale month. Tours run every 30 minutes and the brewhouse smells like pine and grapefruit from the just-picked Cascade hops. Outside seating under heat lamps overlooks the hop field that still holds a faint green glow before winter dormancy.
Small family groves near Durham press into early November. Tours include tree-side tasting of olio nuovo, cloudy, spicy oil served on warm bread baked in outdoor wood ovens while woodsmoke drifts over the orchard rows.
Chinook return peaks mid-November. From the Table Mountain Boulevard bridge you can see 20, 30 kg (44, 66 lb) fish staging in the shallows, their bronze backs flashing under the low sun. Morning light cuts through the river oaks and lights up the gravel redds.
First Thursday in November pairs new exhibits at the 1078 Gallery and the Museum of Northern California Art with pop-up shows inside the old Senator Theater. The air smells of popcorn and linseed oil and the brick alleys glow under string lights.
November Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Dirt-track sprint cars roar under floodlights at the fairgrounds. The grandstand smells of kettle corn and racing fuel. Bring earplugs, the sprint cars hit 140 km/h (87 mph) on the backstretch.
Packing Checklist
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Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Book Experiences in Chico
Top-rated things to do in Chico this November
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