Chico, Calif. Partying College Students and Kid Friendly Locale

When I think of Chico, I think of Chico State and I always think of it as a top 10 party school. The school itself has a lot to offer, don't get me wrong, but its partying reputation precedes it. My own alma mater also suffers from a similar reputation.

Located in the foothills of the Sierras, I never thought that I would say great kid friendly city and Chico in the same breadth ... but in last month's visit we discovered two more kid friendly restaurants and the boys had a blast.

We went to the small town of Oroville, Calif. near Chico to surprise my friend Stephanie on her birthday.  We were really there to see Stephanie, and not to tourist around. However, if we go back, and we're pretty sure we will, there is a wonderful lake and plenty of outdoorsy activities for the boys.

Eating wise, we went to a brunch restaurant that makes our top 10 best kid friendly restaurants. Cafe Coda located on Humbolt Ave in Chico does a kid menu like very few other restaurants. Warning they don't post it online ... but it is themed after monsters, dinosaurs and trains. Caleb and Xander loved their meal. And like our favorite kid friendly restaurants, the adult fare was amazing, and the kids fare didn't pander with chicken nuggets and fries.

We also took the boys to the Sierra Nevada Taproom and Restaurant, which despite being a brewery, had a great menu, and fantastic kid friendly service. We'll have to go back to enjoy more of what the region has to offer... but for a short two day trip it was great.