Butte County, known as "The Land of Natural Wealth and Beauty," offers both in abundance. Two major waterways, the Feather River and the Sacramento River, provide endless riverfront recreational opportunities, and also provide the "fuel" for Butte County's half-dozen hydroelectric power plants.
Arguably the most stunning natural wonder in Butte County is Feather Falls, which measures 410 feet tall and can be seen from a viewing platform at the end of either of two trails maintained by the U.S. Forest Service.
The largest city in Butte County is Chico, founded in 1860 and incorporated in 1872. Chico has struck a healthy balance between big-city culture and small-town living, with a vibrant business community and a robust network of biking, hiking, and equestrian trails (including the 3,670-acre Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipally owned parks in the nation).
The town of Paradise, home to Coldwell Banker Ponderosa Real Estate, was incorporated in 1979. (According to legend, the town's name came from a drinking establishment called the Pair O' Dice Saloon, during the California Gold Rush of the 19th century.) The cost of a home in Paradise is below the state average, making it not just a beautiful place to live, but an affordable one, as well.
