From visiting the Gold Nugget Museum, browsing through interesting gift, collectable and antique shops, enjoying parks and nature, or participating in recreational activities, to researching family history at a cemetery, one will find an abundance of things to see and do on the Paradise Ridge.

Gold Nugget Museum
  Begin exploring the Paradise Ridge with a visit to the Gold Nugget Museum at 502 Pearson Road, 530-872-8722. Admission is free. The museum is open from Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. It features historical artifacts from the local Paradise Ridge area in a number in interesting displays' and Nuggetville, an outdoor exhibit which recreates an Old Western town. Adjacent to and part of the museum grounds is Memorial Park where a number of events are held associated with the museum. Besides many free-standing displays (changed periodically) of artifacts are small cubicles representing special exhibits.

  1. THE COUNTRY STORE:
    The lumber for the front of the store came from the original covered bridge in Butte Creek Canyon.

  2. THE MINER'S CABIN:
    The cabin accurately represents the dwellings of most Ridge residents in its early years.

  3. THE RESEARCH ROOM:
    The Research Room contains books and articles about history and the subjects contained in the museum exhibits, and much more.

  4. THE DOLL MUSEUM:
    Donated as an entire collection in 1987 from the Faye Jones Estate, this display contains about 500 dolls.

  5. THE RUNABOUT:
    This 1909 Brush Runabout was restored by the Industrial Arts students at California State University, Chico and permanently loaned to the museum.

  6. THE GOLD MINE:
    Made of plaster, it is intended to give some sense of the atmosphere in an underground mine. The mining equipment outside the mine is all from local operations.

  7. THE ASSAY OFFICE:
    This exhibit, as was the Gold Mine, was created by Paradise resident John Gardner, with figures assembled by him.

  8. THE SCHOOL ROOM:
    A one-room school house was the norm in the 1800s. This schoolroom is an integral part of the museum's Living History programs for the schools and the community.

  9. GUN CABINETS:
    Includes rifles and pistols that have been used in the United States from the early 1800s until WWI, many of them being donated by the Bleyhl family in 1985.

  10. INDIAN EXHIBITS:
    From the Maidu tribes who preceded the white man on the Ridge, this exhibit contains baskets, arrow points and fish-net weights as well as mortars and pestles. One mortar was unearthed during the museum construction.

Antiques and Collectibles
  If you are an antique lover then a tour of the many treasure shops offering a variety of antiques, gifts and unique collectibles is a must. Most all these treasure spots are located along the Skyway and in the older downtown area of Paradise. For a complete listing, contact the Chamber of Commerce.

Paradise Parks and Recreation
  For information on parks and sponsored recreation events, contact the Paradise Recreation and Park District at 6626 Skyway, 530-872-6393. The PRPD is an independent special district serving the needs of the Ridge community. The District Manager is Mike Trinca.

Terry Ashe Recreation Center (pictured)
  The Terry Ashe Recreation Center is the hub of many special events and activities all year long. Same location as the PRPD district office. Here, one will find special classes on a variety of topic offered by the recreation department. There is also a basketball court, children's playground, picnic area and shaded grassy areas.

Lookout Point
  Lookout Point, along the Skyway to Paradise offers spectacular views of Butte Creek Canyon.

Honey Run Covered Bridge
  The Honey Run Covered Bridge was built in 1894 by George Miller and is located in Butte Creek Canyon. It lays claim to being the only 3-level covered bridge in the United States.

Coleman Memorial Community Museum
  Up the road from the covered bridge is the Coleman Memorial Community Museum located at 13544 Centerville Road, open 1 to 4 on weekends. Admission is free. This museum has local Indian artifacts, early 1800 gold mining equipment and relics of the Civil War era.

Butte Community College
Take a drive through the Butte Community College Campus, Hwy 191 and Durham Pentz Rd.

Lime Saddle Marina
View Lime Saddle Marina from Pentz Road, or visit the marina and inquire about renting a houseboat.

Stirling City Hotel
  This rustic 100-year-old building is the Stirling City Hotel, located at 16975 Skyway. It's owned by Charlotte Hildgeman, who operates the hotel as a bed and breakfast, restaurant, and country store (supplying drinks and ice cream). Each of the rooms are individually decorated with family heirlooms and other collected antiques, such as the bar in the dining area. For information on reservations and dining, call 530-873-0858.

Inskip
  Six miles north of Stirling City is the tiny Inskip. The old hotel named Kelly and Company was purchased by John Stokes in 1866 and renamed the Stokes Hotel. It was destroyed by fire in 1868 and rebuilt. It was probably then when it was named Inskip. A local legend is that the fire was arson and that a "resident ghost" named "Charley" is still looking for the arsonist. The hotel and a couple of buildings are all that remain of this once-bustling community. Since 1975, the hotel has been listed in the National Register of Historical Places.

Pioneer Cemeteries
  Several pioneer cemeteries are on the Ridge. If you are interested in genealogy (researching family history), whether or not you have family buried in the area, these cemeteries are interesting to visit.

  1. THE PARADISE CEMETERY (pictured):  Located at 980 Elliott Road, between Skyway and Clark Road. Some maps may show another cemetery located on Roe Road in lower Paradise. This is a 36-acre piece of land owned by the Paradise Cemetery District and is currently being rented out.

  2. SKYWAY MEMORIAL PARK is under construction and will have a cemetery, mausoleum and columbarium. In Old Magalia at 13686 Skyway.

  3. MAGALIA CEMETERY: Located on Magalia Cemetery Road off Old Skyway in Magalia. The older section is near the back.

  4. COUTOLENC CEMETERY: Turn on Coutolenc Road off Skyway in Lovelock for about 1.8 miles, twisting downhill. When you reach the open meadow area, turn left onto Hupp-Coutolenc Road, a gravel road, go about .1 of a mile and go left, up Coutolenc Cemetery Road, which appears as private road. There is a residence next to the cemetery. You can also reach the cemetery by taking Coutolenc Road at the signal light on Skyway in Magalia, or taking Hupp-Coutolenc Road (rocky-dirt road) off Skyway.

  5. NIMSHEW CEMETERY: Turn left off Skyway on Nimshew Road. Go about 1.5 miles to Cemetery Road. A small sign is high on a tree. Turn right for about.5 mile to the cemetery on hill. The road is narrow.

  6. TOADTOWN CEMETERY: gravesite of James N. Allen. Turn at red fence off Skyway. Then turn at first right and go on up to the split rail fence.

  7. LOVELOCK-GANGLOFF CEMETERY: Take Lovelock Road just past the Lovelock Inn to Alonzo Court, 1.6 miles off Skyway. Park at the gray gate, walk down the road, take the right fork to the cemetery.

  8. STIRLING CITY CEMETERY:  Located at the end of Mica Street, about 1.5 miles off Skyway. A clean, well-kept cemetery.

  9. INSKIP PIONEER CEMETERY: It's a tough one to find. All grave markers are gone, and a few rocks in the pine needles mark some of the gravesites. A marker reads "Inskip Pioneer Cemetery. Those who rest here are known only to God." A barbwire fence marks off the cemetery grounds, about .5 acre. It's located 1.1 miles on the 70B line logging road, at Powellton Road off Skyway.

  10. CENTERVILLE CEMETERY: Located in Butte Creek Canyon in Centerville.

  11. CLEAR CREEK CEMETERY: South of Paradise, off Clark Road about 1.5 miles up Clear Creek Cemetery Road.

PARADISE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY AND LIBRARY: For more genealogy research in Paradise and Butte County, a visit to the Paradise Genealogical Society and Library is a must. The library is located at 5587 Scottwood Road (off Pearson). 530-877-2330.

Swimming Holes on the Ridge

The best part of all, these "Swimmin' Holes" are crystal-clear, chlorine-free and just as fast or show moving as you like them!

Head Dam and Whiskey Flats:
Both located off Coutolenc Road. Four wheel drive recommended to get down the steep dirt road to the Head Dam, located at the bottom of the first road off Coutolenc Road after turning onto it from Skyway. The road to Whiskey Flats is the next right off Coutolenc Road.

Little Pearl:
On Bader Mine Road off Skyway. A truck is suggested as the best mode of transportation.

Dean Road:
This spot, at the end of Dean Road, after it turns to dirt, is just below the flume. Swimmers are encouraged to hike to the left, rather than to the right, after parking.

Okie Dam:
Located a couple miles from the bottom of Honey Run at Chico. The dam is also known for the fish ladders which cross the rivers there. A good swimming hole is located above the structure.

De Sabla Power House:
At the end of a beautiful trail that follows Butte Creek from Doe Mill Road Bridge downstream. Both fishing and swimming are allowed by the Bureau of Land Management.

For more area attractions click here to go to Arts and Entertainment.