Chico is roughly 90 miles north of Sacramento on Highway 99, the valley highway that runs through California's agricultural heartland.
By car: From Sacramento, take Highway 99 north — about 90 minutes. From the San Francisco Bay Area, either go via Sacramento or take Interstate 5 north and cut east on Highway 32 at Orland.
By air: Chico Municipal Airport (CIC) has small regional flights but limited service. The practical option for most travellers is Sacramento International (SMF), about 90 minutes south, or San Francisco International (SFO), about three hours.
By bus: Greyhound stops in Chico on its Sacramento-Redding route. Regional bus service connects to surrounding communities.
By train: Amtrak's Coast Starlight and other routes stop at the Chico station. The train from Sacramento takes about an hour and a half and is a pleasant journey through the valley.