Backroads Culture

What if the best small city in Northern California has been hiding in plain sight?

There are places you visit… and there are places that make you want to stay a little longer. Chico is one of those places.

Spend a Saturday morning wandering the farmers market with a coffee in hand. Explore one of the largest municipal parks in the country, then grab lunch from a locally owned restaurant before strolling through downtown’s boutiques, bookstores, and cafés.

Come back on a Thursday evening and you’ll find downtown transformed with the Thursday Night Market—live music, local vendors, great food, and a community that genuinely enjoys being together.

What makes Chico special isn’t just Bidwell Park, the trails, the food, or the events. It’s the people. It’s the way neighbors support local businesses, families fill the parks, and community still feels like community.

Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or your next favorite place to spend an afternoon, Chico is a city that’s easy to fall in love with.

Follow Future of Chico as we celebrate the people, businesses, events, and stories shaping what might just be Northern California’s best small city.

Chico is known for its bike-friendly streets, thriving downtown, and one of Northern California’s most respected university towns. California State University, Chico brings energy, culture, and innovation, while a strong local business community gives the city its character.

Life here naturally revolves around the outdoors. Bidwell Park—one of the largest municipal parks in the country—offers miles of trails, swimming holes, and Big Chico Creek just minutes from downtown. Each spring, the Chico Wildflower Century draws thousands of cyclists, adding to the city’s active lifestyle.

It’s a place where higher education, outdoor adventure, and a strong sense of community come together, making Chico one of Northern California’s most livable cities.

For one unforgettable weekend, Nevada City became a gathering place for storytellers.

Filmmakers, artists, volunteers, and film lovers filled historic streets and theaters with stories that inspired, challenged, and connected people from every walk of life. From screenings and conversations to the energy that carried through downtown, the 2026 Nevada City Film Festival was a reminder that great stories have the power to bring communities together.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s festival one to remember. Until next year, Nevada City. 🎬

What mountain is this?

Our team is exploring the Pacific Northwest and captured these incredible views of Mount Rainier from the often-overlooked southwest side near the town of Ashford, just outside Seattle. Every image was captured by drone. No AI was used.

The first slide is a timelapse showing a lenticular cloud rotating over the summit, a clear sign that moisture was moving in. About 30 minutes later, the entire mountain disappeared behind a blanket of clouds.

The second image is a cropped 100MP photo at 6x zoom, highlighting Rainier’s southeast peak.

The third image features Liberty Cap on the mountain’s northwest peak, also cropped from the same 100MP image.

The fourth and final image is the full photograph of Mount Rainier in all its glory.

Shasta Escapes is your gateway to experiencing the very best of Mount Shasta.

From curated adventures to unforgettable local experiences, every journey is designed to help you discover what makes this corner of Siskiyou County so special. Chase waterfalls, explore pristine alpine lakes, hike scenic mountain trails, and experience the breathtaking beauty that draws visitors from around the world. Along the way, you’ll also discover the mystery of Mount Shasta, where many believe the mountain holds a unique spiritual and mystical energy unlike anywhere else.

Whether you’re visiting for outdoor adventure, peaceful escapes, or a deeper connection to the mountain, Shasta Escapes helps you experience Mount Shasta in a way that’s authentic, memorable, and uniquely local.

Our thoughts are with our friends in and communities across affected by the wildfires. We look forward to the day it’s safe to help bring more visitors back to these incredible mountain towns and support the people who call them home.

One of the best ways to experience Leadville is aboard the Leadville Railroad. The route winds through the Arkansas River Valley with incredible views of Colorado’s highest peaks, historic trestles, and beautiful alpine scenery while sharing the rich history of this legendary mining town.

Summer is breathtaking, but fall is something special as the aspens turn brilliant shades of gold. If a Colorado autumn getaway has been on your list, now is the perfect time to start planning before peak fall train rides fill up.

Leadville is worth more than a day trip, slow down, explore the town, hit the trails, and experience one of Colorado’s most unforgettable mountain destinations.

Missed the Fourth of July in the Mount Shasta area? Save this for next year.

From the hometown parade and the annual Firecracker Run to fireworks lighting up Lake Siskiyou, camping under the stars, hiking unforgettable trails, paddling the lake, and exploring the shops and restaurants in downtown Mount Shasta, this is the kind of holiday weekend that reminds you why small towns do it best.

If this year’s celebration is any indication, the Mount Shasta area deserves a spot on your Fourth of July bucket list for 2027.

Who are you bringing with you next year?

How did you celebrate July 4th?