It’s hard for us to believe that so much talent landed in one spot, but time and time again, we’re overwhelmed by the professional quality of productions that are staged here.
The Birdcage season begins in September, and nearly every month sees a new production. Hocks Unlimited presents their annual melodrama every July and features popcorn, beverages, and unlimited laughs.
Birdcage Theatre & Hocks Unlimited
1740 Bird Street
(530) 533-BIRD
More Info
Locomotive buffs will enjoy these two old steam engines. Railroads were an important part of Oroville’s history since the lumber industry played a dominant role in the local economy and depended heavily on the railroads.
The Shay engine located on the Park Avenue side originally belonged to the Hutchinson Lumber Co., purchased to operate on its private 20-mile logging railroad in the foothills east of here.
Both engines represent an important part of Oroville history.
Hewitt Park Steam Engines
Between Baldwin & Park Ave.,
access on Daryl Porter
Just outside the Oroville city limits are 11,000 acres of preserved natural beauty with ample opportunities for fishing enthusiasts and birdwatchers. Egrets, beaver and river otters are among the many animals found here.
Administered by the California Department of Fish and Game, the area is divided into two units: the 4,300-acre Thermalito Afterbay with its 26 miles of shoreline and the 5,700-acre Borrow Area Preserve. Bass, catfish, and crappie are found in both the ponds and the afterbay area, and salmon, steelhead, and shad can be caught in the river, twelve miles of which wanders through the Borrow Area section. Canoes or car-top boats can be launched in several spots along the river.
Some fishing restrictions are men-tioned on maps available at the entry points. There are campsites (no fees) in the southern half of Borrow Area.
The area is also popular with birdwatchers since it provides a year-round or seasonal home to 171 species of birds.
Oroville State Wildlife Area
Headquarters: 945 Oro Dam Blvd. W.Entrances off of Oro Dam Blvd. W.,
Hwy 70, Pacific Heights Rd, Larkin Rd., Vance Ave. & Palm Ave.
Maps available at Entry Points
(530) 538-2236
Dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of last century’s military history and memorabilia, the owners have been collecting for over 30 years.
This collection includes everything from a Browning M1917 Machine Gun (first introduced in 1917), an Antitank Gun (manufactured by Laudi during WWII), a rocket launcher (“Bazooka” of WWII), an English Civil Defense Air Raid Siren used to help Londoners reach the safety of bomb shelters, a Dutch Army Motorcycle (1955), to a Sidewinder Missile AIM-9E and an M60 Machine Gun developed for use in Viet Nam.
There are a number of military wagons plus an outstanding collection of WWII posters which were used to boost morale, sell war bonds, and fuel nationalism in the 1940’s.
Since you’ll need time to explore the many items on display, you may want to consider staying in the tree-shaded Campground here that is nestled on the banks of the Feather River. Fishing, tubing & kayaking trips originate here.
PaintBall is one of the nation’s fastest growing sports, and here you’ll find a series of fields within a master field for scenario games, as well as for “Speedball” and “Capture the Flag.”
Military Museum, Campground, & PaintBall at Surplus City
4514 Pacific Heights Rd.
(530) 534-9956
When the valley heat becomes too much to bear, lots of folks like to dive into the water to cool off. Four area facilities offer that opportunity.
Bedrock Park, a 3.75-acre area along the Feather River, offers swimming in the river as well as river views. Nelson Pool is open to the public from June to September and offers recreational swim time daily from 1-4 p.m. with evening hours on Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Serious lap swimmers’ hours at the pool are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4-6 p.m.
Palermo Pool is also open from June to September with recreational swimming hours on Monday through Saturday from 1-4 p.m., and evening hours from 6:30-8:30.
The heated Y.M.C.A. Pool has both classes and open swims. The pool serves a number of populations, from infants through therapy groups.
Y.M.C.A.
1684 Robinson St.
Info: (530) 533-9622
In addition to operating two Oroville pools and multiple parks, FRRPD also has an activity center which offers a multitude of activities for all ages. There you will find a gym and classes ranging from fitness, dance, karate, theater, and more, along with a variety of camps.
Twenty-four acre Nolan Complex features several youth baseball fields, a baseball stadium, picnic facilities, and Playtown USA, a theme playground— something for almost everyone.
At Nelson Park, five lighted fields serve the Feather River Park & Rec. District’s softball program including coed and men’s leagues, and four youth fields are used by the FRRPD Junior Giants Program. Playground equipment and picnic tables are also provided.
Located at the West end of Montgomery Street, the first phase of Riverbend Park opened in May, 2006. Several open-air pavilions are found throughout the park and are available for picnicking or nature viewing. The water play area is very popular with kids.
Five-acre Palermo Park is the home of the Feather River Horseshoe Club and has 12 regulation horseshoe pits for trying your skill.
The park also offers an old-fashioned gazebo, covered group picnic areas, a hardtop slab, and a tot lot with playground equipment.
Whether you want to pitch some horseshoes or hold a family reunion, this park can accommodate you. The park is also the site of the popular Palermo Field Days each September.
| Feather River Recreation & Parks 1875 Feather River Blvd. Info: (530) 533-2011 Visit Them Nolan Complex Nelson Park |
Riverbend Park West end of Montgomery Street Palermo Park |
If you think you’ve seen all there is to see in the Oroville area, don’t be too sure unless you’ve seen it all from the sky.
Lake Oroville is great on the ground, but WOW, what a perspective you get when you’re airborne. You’ll also spot the Feather River as it winds its way around the area.
Scenic tours by plane are available at reasonable rates, and it’s a great way to spend an hour or two. Gorgeous!
Table Mountain Aviation operates a glider program offering rides piloted by veteran pilots most Saturdays. The flights take off from Oroville Airport where the glider is pulled aloft by a tow plane to as high as 5,200 feet, released typically over Oroville Dam. From there the glider will seek updrafts known as thermals, staying aloft for approximately 35 minutes or more, providing spectacular views of the lake, surrounding mountains and the valley.
Oroville Municipal Airport
Oro Dam Blvd. West
Two-Three Miles Past the Bridge
Rates/Reservations: (530) 533-1313
Visit Them
Table Mountain Aviation Glider
Rates/Reservations: (530) 519-1400
Visit Them
Opened in spring of 2006, this museum is the fulfillment of one man’s dream. Bud Bolt started collecting in 1957 as a way to get shop students to be more attentive. His idea was to show the students the difference between the unweildly old tools their grandfathers might have used and the modern ones. The boys did start paying more attention, and it also sparked, in Bud, a fascination for old tools that continues today.
All of the tools on display were manufactured during or prior to WWII with some going back to Roman and Egyptian times in 400 B.C. They include adjustable wrenches that measure from a small pair about four inches long to a giant 12-foot industrial wrench, and a hand-forged set of sockets made by a blacksmith and discovered by Bud in a junk store in Kalispell, Montana.
The museum is open 7 days a week, Mon-Sat 10:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Sun. 11:45 – 3:45 p.m., and you’ll find it fascinating to listen to the stories that make the tools almost come alive!
To hear a narrative on this historic attraction, dial (530) 539-3004 and press 103.
Bolt’s Tool Museum
End of Safford Street between Oak & Pine Streets
(530) 538-2528, (530) 538-2415
Visit Them
Your Guide to the North Valley’s Fine Wines
Whether visitors have come to Butte county for the first time or are repeat visitors, 101 Things To Do serves as a valuable resource in navigating the many attractions and opportunities for recreation. The broad reach of the magazine caters to the post-arrival visitor and offers an effective medium for businesses who want to reach this targeted audience through active distribution.
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