Getting Around

Driving to Chico

From Interstate 5 driving north or south: Turn east on Hwy. 32 in Orland, stay on Hwy. 32 into Chico to West 2nd Street. Turn left on West 2nd Street and continue to Chestnut Street and the University.

From Sacramento Airport: Follow the signs to I-5 going to Sacramento. Approximately two miles from the airport, follow signs to Hwy. 99 and 70 going north to Marysville and Chico.

From Hwy. 99 and 70 going north to Chico: Stay on Hwy. 99 north to Chico, or take Hwy. 70 via Oroville and Hwy. 149 to Hwy. 99 to Chico. Exit Hwy. 99 at Hwy. 32 turning left onto East 8th Street to and through downtown Chico. Continue west to Chestnut Street. Turn right on Chestnut Street and continue north for six blocks to West 2nd Street and the University.

From Hwy. 99 going south to Chico: Take the East 1st Ave. exit and turn right. Go west to the Esplanade and turn left onto the Esplanade into downtown Chico and onto Broadway. Turn right on 2nd Street and go three blocks to Chestnut Street and the University.

Visitor Parking: Permits are required in all campus parking lots. Temporary permits can be purchased from dispensers located in the parking lots. Cash or credit accepted. Parking for visitors is allowed in any "G" general parking stall.

Public Transportation To Chico

United Express has several flights a day between Chico and San Francisco. San Francisco International is a four to five hour drive, and Sacramento Metro airport is an hour and forty-five minutes from Chico by car. Rental cars are available at San Francisco and Sacramento airports. Car rental agencies in Chico are Budget and Enterprise (both with Chico airport pickup), and Hertz and Avis located at the airport.

Shuttle service between Sacramento airport and Chico is available through North Valley Shuttle (530-891-1219). Reservations are required.

AMTRAK and Greyhound Bus also have regular service into downtown Chico.

Parking Limitations and Alternative Transportation

The campus has various parking areas available for faculty, staff, and students who choose to purchase parking permits. However, parking lots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and are usually filled by 8 a.m. and remain so throughout the day. A limited number of parking decals are sold each semester during registration and the first few weeks of classes. University parking regulations are available from the University Police.

Both the CSU, Chico campus and the city of Chico are beautiful environments. Rather than paving everything for parking lots, we work with the community to preserve our parks and trees. We are committed to making it easy to get around Chico in spite of the prevalence of cars, and so we encourage you to use the free local bus system, ride a bike, or walk. The University has taken steps to make each of these methods of transportation safe and viable, and details can be found below.

Transportation Alternatives and Parking Resources

Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) http://www.csuchico.edu/taps/

Walking is Welcome http://www.csuchico.edu/taps/walk/

Bikes Abound - Be Wise and Safe http://www.csuchico.edu/taps/bike/

Free B-Line Bus Access http://www.csuchico.edu/taps/bus/

Ridesharing Saves $ http://www.csuchico.edu/taps/rideshare/

Parking Permit and Ticket Info http://www.csuchico.edu/taps/parking/

Maps and Directions http://www.csuchico.edu/taps/maps/

Walking:

Many University students live within walking distance of campus. Walking is the most healthy and least expensive method of getting to the University. The University has a program to upgrade the lighting along major campus footpaths as well as to provide a nighttime escort service in order to make walking on campus safer.

Bicycling:

In 2004 the city of Chico was recognized as a Bike Friendly community by the American League of Bicyclists. Chico is a convenient community for bicycling. It is relatively flat, there are ample bike parking locations, and there are many bike lanes and bike paths.

Although bicycle riding through the core of the University campus is prohibited, there are convenient bicycle parking locations around the entire campus. There are more places on and around campus to park a bicycle than there are to park a motor vehicle. Bicycles are to be parked and locked only in those areas designated for such parking and may not be locked to fences, trees, or in buildings.

Bicycles must be licensed in California; you may register your bicycle through the University Police Department as well as through the city of Chico's Finance Department. The University Police enforces the University's regulations concerning bicycle riding and parking on the campus.

The University, in cooperation with the Associated Students, the city of Chico, and the county of Butte, provides free access to all city and county busses for University students, staff, and faculty. The city, under agreement with the Associated Students, also operates special student shuttle busses free to all students. Student shuttle and B-Line schedules and maps are available in the Bell Memorial Union (BMU) or from the city.For more information, call 530-342-0221 or 1-800-822-8145, or visit the county's B-Line Web page at http://www.bcag.org/Transit/B-Line-Rider-Information/index.html.

Zimride at Chico State:

Zimride at Chico State is a new, fun and easy way to coordinate your daily commute with friends and colleagues. Zimride is our private network that makes it easy to share the seats in your car or catch a ride with fellow Chico State staff and faculty. It's simple. Have a car? Add your ride offer and split the costs by driving with friends and colleagues. Need a ride? Add your request and find a ride. Just register for a free account and post where you’re coming from and when. Zimride at Chico State* will help you find others making similar trips. http://zimride.csuchico.edu

*While a CSU, Chico e-mail address is required, the Zimride social network for ridesharing is an independent program and is not managed by CSU, Chico.

Carpool Program:

Drivers who have been issued a carpool vehicle placard may park in designated carpool spaces. (Carpool parking can be located on the campus map). Applications for carpool parking are available from the University Police and must be re-submitted each semester. A valid semester parking permit must be purchased prior to applying for a carpool placard. All drivers on the application must be campus students or employees and reside outside Chico. Applications are reviewed and, if approved, a carpool pass will be prepared and the carpool group's contact person will be notified. For more information, contact University Police at 530-898-5555.

Zipcar Program:

In 2009 Chico State became the second CSU campus to partner with Zipcar launching its new car sharing program. The program allows students, faculty and staff who are 18 and older to share new cars for as low as $8 an hour. The cost includes gas, insurance, cleaning, and maintenance. There are five new cars conveniently located in spaces on campus to choose from. There are three at the Student Health Center lot and two at the Hazel Street lot. The car sharing program is convenient and less expensive than owning your own vehicle and each shared car takes 15-20 personally-owned vehicles off the road. This is a great money-saving program for those who only need a car once in awhile. Eligible users can join online for just $35 per year at www.zipcar.com/chicostate/. To find out more contact the Institute for Sustainable Development at 530-898-3333.

Electric-powered Vehicles:

The University is exploring ways to facilitate the use of electric vehicles as an alternative to combustion engine-powered vehicles for commuting to the University.