History of Paradise

Where is Paradise? Paradise is located in Northern California in Butte County, 490 miles north of Los Angeles, 175 miles northeast of San Francisco, 92 miles north of Sacramento, the State Capital, and 175 miles northwest of famous Lake Tahoe, 22 miles north of Oroville, county seat of Butte County, and 14 miles east of Chico. Getting to Paradise is easy if you remember "all roads lead to Paradise".

The average temperature for Paradise ranges from 90 degrees or higher aprox. 65 days out of the year, and 32 degrees in the winter months, an average of 30 days out of the year. Smog in non-existence in Paradise.

Paradise. Its name comes from the early mining days when Paradise consisted of mainly gambling halls and saloons. The Pair-O-Dice saloon was one of the most popular.

An early settler, "Uncle Billie" Leonard and friends had rode horses to the Sacramento Valley and back on a hot summer day. And upon returning to the shade of the tall pine trees, Uncle Billie dismounted and proclaimed, "Boys, this is Paradise!"

The Gold Rush brought the first settlers to the Paradise area. Before the settlers, the Ridge was home to the Maidu indians which inhabited the land for possibly 10,000 years before the Gold Rush. On August 14,1859 some miners at the Willard Mine across the West branch below Sawmill Peak discovered what turned out to be the largest Gold Nugget in the state of California. A whopping 54lbs in the rough. The gold nugget brought a refined pure gold value of $10,960. Today that same nugget would bring approximately $770,000 at the current value of gold.

Listed below you will find some of the things to do in and around Paradise.

For more detailed information regarding events click here.

Gold Nugget Museum
Begin exploring the Paradise Ridge with a visit to the Gold Nugget Museum. Featuring historical artifacts from the local paradise Ridge area in a number of interesting displays and Nuggetville, an outdoor exhibit which recreates an Old Western town. Admission is free.
Open Wed. - Sun. noon to 4 pm
502 Pearson Rd. - (530) 872-8722 For more information click here

Paradise Lake
The Paradise Lake, also known as the Magalia Reservoir is a great place to take the family for a fun filled day of fishing. There are benches and picnic areas at the main entrance located off Coutolenc Rd.
The Magalia Reservoir along side the Skyway is fed by the Paradise Lake which provides water for the town of Paradise.
For more information Click Here

De Sabla Lake
Bring the family and a picnic to the De Sabla Lake located in De Sabla just above Paradise....Can't miss this beautiful lake. Skyway runs along side. A PG&E group picnic area is on the right side. De Sabla was named after an early PG&E pioneer, Eugene de Sabla. You can fish from the shore, or a non-motorized watercraft. There is no swimming allowed. For more information Click Here.

Lime Saddle Marina
As you travel along the Pentz Rd. and follow its winding twists and turns, you will discover Lake Oroville. The Lime Saddle Marina offers a wide variety of recreational fun including house boat rentals, deck cruisers and ski boat rentals, personal watercraft rentals, fuel dock and launch ramp, marina store, snack bar, and campgrounds near by. Located off Pentz Rd. (530) 877-2414 For more information Click Here.

Terry Ashe Recreation Park
Located on the main Skyway in Paradise. The park serves as a dwelling place and main events stage. Concerts, Chocolate Fest, Johhny Appleseed Day, Gold Nugget Days and more provide booths as well as entertainment. Additionally the park provides a children's playground, basketball hoops, gazebo for weddings and concerts, picnic area, horseshoe pits, and the main office for the recreation dept.
6626 Skyway (530) 873-6393 For more information Click Here.

Train Depot
The Train Depot built by the Town of Paradise is where the old train depot use to be. They have now constructed a local railroad and logging museum. The museum is a historic landmark providing lots of history, photographs and other information relating to the Paradise Depot which opened in 1904 and was one of four depots in Butte County. To find out more information on the depot Click Here.

Paradise Aquatic Park and Public Pool
The flash to the right is the Paradise Aquatic Park. The park includes a kids fishing pond (15 and under), creek, waterfall, pool, kids playground, sand volley ball, arbor for weddings or events, public picnic and a rotary picnic area. The pond is embraced by beautiful trees and shrubbery. Stroll the sidewalk path which follows the pond around with plenty of park benches to relax on. A must see in Paradise. The Park is located at Recreation Dr. and Bushman Rd. For more information Click Here.

Tall Pines Bowl
5445 Clark Rd. - Paradise - (530) 872-2695
For more information Click Here.

Paradise Cinema
6701 Clark Rd. (530) 872-7800 For more information Click Here.

Theater On The Ridge
3735 Neal Rd.- Paradise (530) 877-5760
For more information Click Here.

Cal Skate
Year round entertainment for the entire family. Skating, Mi nature Golf, and Batting Cages. 2465 Carmichael Dr. Chico (530) 343-0416
For more information Click Here.

Chinese Temple
Built in 1863, the temple served as a place of worship to over 10,000 Chinese. Check out the beautiful display at the temple located at
1500 Broderick St. in Oroville. Take the Montgomery St. exit and follow the green line. (530) 538-2496 For more information Click Here

The Historic Bidwell Mansion
Historic Bidwell Mansion stands today as a memorial to the Bidwells. Tours are available Tues - Fri. 12pm - 4pm. Last tour leaves at 4pm. On the weekends tours are from 10am. - 4pm. The Visitor center is open to 5pm. 525 Esplanade Chico (530) 343-0416
For more information Click Here. To view Mansion Click Here

Fish Hatchery
Open for public viewing daily.
Montgomery St. Oroville (530) 538-2222
For more information and to view a complete tour Click Here.

Honey Run Covered Bridge
Today, the Honey Run Covered Bridge is the only 3-level covered bridge left in the entire Nation. For more details please visit the website which includes information on the Coleman Museum, Country Store, Hell Town, Centerville, Honey Run, Historical photos and events.
Centerville Rd. Chico (530) 893-9667
For more information Click Here.