Visitors, a guide of things to do in Chico!  Bookmark this or print it.  I'll add as things come to mind.

Downtown -- all in walking distance of each other
Downtown's pretty cute.  You'll feel like you're in Stars Hollow.  Lots to eat, drink, see and do but it just stretches about five blocks North-South and three blocks East-West.

• The yo-yo Museum.  It's exactly how it sounds. Viewing it takes 5-10 minutes but it's pretty fun. http://nationalyoyo.org/  320 Broadway.  Open 10-6  M-7 and 10-5 on Sunday.
• Chico Museum.  141 Salem.  Local history and more.  https://www.chicomuseum.org/.  Open Thurs - Sun 11-4.
•  Just barely outside of downtown but totally walkable (parking lot if you want to drive): Bidwell Mansion.  It's a fun Victorian mansion built by the founder of Chico, Mr. Bidwell, and later his wife, Annie.  It's a state park as well.  525 Esplanade -- check out the website for tour times and prices.  It's fun just to walk around the mansion and it backs up to the CSU campus.  http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=460
•  Right new to Bidwell Mansion is the Gateway Science Center.  It's great for kids.  Open noon - 5 on the weekends.  $7 for adults and $5 for kids. http://www.csuchico.edu/gateway/index.shtml
• Lots of coffee shops and restaurants.  Locals love to eat at Madison Bear Garden for a great burger.  (Under no circumstances drink beer from the tap.  It's gross).  http://www.madisonbeargarden.com/ 

Katy's Favorite Coffee Shop
This is where I wrote at least half of my dissertation.  Bidwell Perk -- corner of 1st Ave. and Mangrove (tucked away behind the little shopping center, directly across the street from Faith Lutheran).  Good breakfast/lunch, too (limited options, but good food).  Good coffee and tea selection.

Campus
The CSU campus is very pretty with a stream running through it and beautiful gardens and statues scattered around.  On campus are several art and anthropology museums: check out this visitor guide for more information  http://www.csuchico.edu/visit-chico-state/index.shtml  I'm always pleased by the exhibits.

Beer and Wine Lovers

• Sierra Brewing Company   1075 E. 20th St.  http://www.sierranevada.com/  It's family friendly and welcomes visitors to eat and/or taste beer.  It's very comfortable for non-drinkers.  Atmosphere is fun.  In Katy and Joe's opinions the beer is good but food is hit or miss -- but you can't beat the pleasantness of the place. 
• Even further away for those with several days to spend is Feather Falls Brewing Company in Oroville (35-50 minute drive).  It's an excellent atmosphere and great food and beer.  Attached to a casino.  Kids are welcome in the restaurant part but honestly, it's not the best place for them -- they'll get bored.  Use your map program to get there.  #3 Alverda Dr., Oroville, CA.  
• New Clairvaux Winery.  I's a lovely vineyard owned by the Cistercian Order (Roman Catholic).  You can't beat the ambience and they have a late medieval church that is being reconstructed stone by stone.  It's....unusual to see it in the middle of California and well worth your time.  Check the websites for hours/directions.  It's about 30-35 minutes from Chico.  http://www.newclairvauxvineyard.com/ 

If you're feeling outdoorsy (both by car and by foot)

• Lower Bidwell -- miles of walking trails, and a Robin Hood movie was filmed there in the 1920s.  You can park lots of different places and get out and explore.  At the "One Mile Recreation Area" is a great outdoor pool fed by the cold water of the local stream.  Here is a link to the park maps.  http://bidwellpark.org/landing-page/bidwell-park-home/lower-park/
• Upper Bidwell.  It's an amazing park that goes straight into the foothills of the Sierras.  You drive the rustic road up through the Park and stop and explore at any of the lots.  If the gate is open, you can drive the very very gravely road to "Bear Hole" and get out and explore.  It's well worth your time.  (Don't swim unless you're a great swimmer -- undercurrents are strong here).  The scenery is beautiful, and you'll never believe that this hidden gem is just ten minutes from the city.  Here's a map of the park.  http://bidwellpark.org/upper-park/

Farmer's Markets

• If you're here on Thursday night, a lively Farmer's market takes up most of downtown.  Live music, fresh food and market goods.
• If you're here on Saturday morning, a smaller but bustling Farmer's market is at the corner of 2nd and wall (walkable from any downtown hotel).  Rico's Tamales get A+ ratings from Katy and Joe -- and as you know we are picky about food that originates from the Southern part of the country or hemisphere.  They're authentic and great.  You'll think "really, that's in a tamale?"  Trust Rico and get it.  The market opens early at 7:30 and starts to wind up by noonish.

Other Spiritual things to do 
You're here for an ordination, so that may be spirituality over the top! But just in case, here are a few others:

• Chinese Temple in Oroville. It's one of my favorite places.  1500 Broderick, Oroville (use your navigation app).  This dates from the late 19th century when many Chinese people were living in California doing manual labor.  This temple honors multiple Chinese religious traditions and is gorgeously restored as well as a living temple for today.  $3 entry fee.  Open 12 - 4 every day. http://www.cityoforoville.org/index.aspx?page=129  
• Drive up to Paradise and see the gorge.  Chico lies at the very base of the Sierra Nevada foothills and within 15 minutes you can rise 1500 ft.  There's a lookout on the way back down.  Just take highway 99 to the Skyway exit and drive east toward the hills.
• Labyrinth in Children's Park.  There's a sweet labyrinth right by Bidwell Presbyterian Church at the edge of downtown.  It's for the public located to the right of the church if you're standing in front of the church facing it.  Walk to the far right of the park in the corner by the stream.  

Off the Beaten Track

• The Gold Nugget Museum -- from the old wild west days.  It's charming and low key.  Open 12-4 Wed-Sunday.  Free admission.  About 20-25 minutes from Chico.  http://www.goldnuggetmuseum.com/