Our Community

Discover what makes Gridley a great place to live and do business.

The Small Town that Loves Company!

Gridley Area Chamber of Commerce

About Gridley

Located in the heart of Butte County, Gridley is a vibrant community with a rich agricultural heritage and a commitment to sustainable growth. Our city offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and modern amenities.

With excellent schools, diverse recreational opportunities, and a supportive business environment, Gridley is an ideal location for families and entrepreneurs alike.

The area is known for its agricultural production, including rice, almonds, walnuts, and various fruits. Our community celebrates this heritage through local events and farmers markets.

Quick Facts

  • Population: ~7,000
  • County: Butte County
  • Region: Sacramento Valley
  • Climate: Mediterranean
  • Major Industries: Agriculture, Retail, Services
  • School District: Gridley Unified School District

Communities We Serve

The Gridley Area Chamber proudly serves Gridley, Biggs, Richvale, and Live Oak — four communities bound together by the Sacramento Valley's rich agricultural heritage.

Butte County — Est. 1871

Biggs

~2,000
Residents
1912
Rice industry born here

Biggs is where California's rice story begins. The USDA Rice Experiment Station — established just outside town in 1912 — launched the Sacramento Valley's most important crop and later gave the world Calrose rice in 1948, the medium-grain variety that defined California rice for generations. Today Biggs is a tight-knit community with a proud agricultural identity and a historic downtown that still carries echoes of the town's frontier roots.

Biggs Carnegie Library

Built in 1908 with a $5,000 Carnegie grant, this charming Main Street landmark is one of the few surviving Carnegie libraries in California.

4th of July Celebration

Biggs's signature annual event — pancake breakfast, parade through downtown, and fireworks to close out the day in style.

Biggs Family Park & Lavender Ranch

Great local parks for picnics and play, plus a nearby organic lavender farm offering walking tours during bloom season.

Butte County — Est. 1912

Richvale

~300
Residents
400+
BUCRA rice growers

Small in size, enormous in legacy — Richvale is the birthplace of California's commercial rice industry. Land that early settlers dismissed as worthless adobe clay turned out to be perfect for rice, first planted here in 1912. Today it's home to Lundberg Family Farms, the nationally recognized organic and sustainable rice brand, and the Butte County Rice Growers Association (BUCRA), a cooperative of 400+ growers that built the world's first solar-powered rice drying facility in 2004.

Lundberg Family Farms

Founded in 1937, Lundberg grows organic and sustainable rice varieties sold nationwide. The family has rescued 30,000+ ducks annually by protecting nests ahead of harvest.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area

Right next door to Richvale's rice fields, Gray Lodge's 9,100 acres support 300+ bird species. The Pacific Flyway runs directly overhead every winter.

The Richvale Café

A beloved local institution where farmers and neighbors have gathered for decades. The kind of café where everyone knows your name and the coffee is always on.

Sutter County — Inc. 1947

Live Oak

~9,700
Residents
#1
Largest city in Sutter Co.

Named for the native oak trees that once blanketed the valley floor, Live Oak is the largest city in Sutter County and one of the Sacramento Valley's fastest-growing communities. The town earned a place in California's agricultural history as the heart of the region once known as the "Peach Bowl of the World" — Sutter County's orchards fed the nation through the early 20th century. Today Live Oak blends its farming heritage with a growing local economy and a community that loves to celebrate.

Live Oak Fall Festival

Held every third Saturday in September — morning parade, BBQ rib cook-off, live music, car show, local vendors, and fireworks at dusk. A true Sacramento Valley tradition.

Sutter Buttes Views

On a clear day, the Sutter Buttes — the world's smallest mountain range — rise dramatically from the valley floor just south of town. Guided hikes available through Middle Mountain Foundation.

Feather River Recreation

The Feather River runs nearby, offering fishing, nature walks, and outdoor escapes just minutes from downtown Live Oak.

Community Partners

Organizations working together to strengthen our community.

City of Gridley

Local government services and community development.

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Gridley Unified School District

Providing quality education for our community's children.

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Butte County

County-level services and regional coordination.

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Lions Club of Gridley

Serving the Gridley community through humanitarian projects and local outreach.

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Rotary Club of Gridley

Building community connections and goodwill through service above self.

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Plan Your Visit

The Small Town That Loves Company

Nestled in the Sacramento Valley, Gridley packs world-class wildlife, authentic California history, and a warm small-town welcome into one unforgettable destination.

10M+
Migrating ducks & geese every year
230+
Wildlife species in the area
1800s
Roots on the transcontinental railroad
5+
Signature community events each year

Wildlife & Nature

One of the most extraordinary migratory corridors in the Western Hemisphere is right here.

Pacific Flyway Migration

Every winter, tens of thousands of snow geese descend on Gridley's rice fields during their epic journey between Alaska and Patagonia. The skies fill with pelicans, sandhill cranes, great blue herons, and bald eagles — a wildlife spectacle that draws birders from across the country.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area

Just west of downtown, Gray Lodge is your gateway to the Pacific Flyway. Walk the trails, drive the scenic tour route, or settle into a viewing blind and watch millions of waterfowl take flight at dawn. No matter the season, there's always something worth seeing.

Annual Event

Snow Goose Festival

Every January, Gridley celebrates the return of the snow geese with guided tours, expert talks, and family activities. It's one of the Sacramento Valley's most beloved winter events — and a perfect reason to visit in the off-season.

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History & Architecture

Gridley's past is written in brick, iron, and beautiful Victorian streetscapes.

National Register of Historic Places

The Hazel Hotel

This stunning Italianate landmark is the crown jewel of downtown Gridley — and home to the Chamber of Commerce. Stop in, pick up a downtown walking tour map, and let the building's 19th-century grandeur set the tone for your visit.

More Historic Highlights

  • — Hazel & B Street — Stroll blocks of original Victorian, American Craftsman, and California bungalow homes
  • — Transcontinental Railroad — Gridley sits on the original Central Pacific line that connected a nation
  • — Gridley Museum — Docent-led tours and downtown walking brochures available year-round
  • — Historic Wells Fargo Branch — One of the original 1800s locations from California's gold rush era

Parks & Recreation

Something for everyone — from splashpads to skate parks to live music in the park.

Manuel Vierra Park

A summer favorite for families with a splash area for kids and the beloved Dick Jones Memorial Field.

Downtown Skate Park

A local hotspot for trick biking, skateboarding, and scootering. Open to all skill levels.

Daddow Park

A community gathering spot with a gazebo that hosts live music and outdoor events throughout the year.

Gridley Pool

Open every summer with daily swims and season passes available for residents and visitors alike.

Biggs Family Park

Just down the road in Biggs — great playgrounds and shaded picnic areas for a relaxing afternoon.

Signature Events

Mark your calendar — Gridley knows how to celebrate.

December

Winter Wonderland Festival

The holiday season comes alive with a light parade, live music, local vendors, and family activities. One of Gridley's most beloved traditions.

Summer

Red Suspenders Days

A beloved community celebration at Daddow Park packed with local flavor, live entertainment, and the kind of hometown spirit you can only find in a place like Gridley.

January

Snow Goose Festival

Celebrate the return of the Pacific Flyway with guided wildlife tours, expert birding talks, and a front-row seat to one of nature's great migrations.

August

Butte County Fair

The annual county fair is a showcase of small-town California at its best — livestock, rides, local food, and the kind of summer memories that last a lifetime.

View Full Events Calendar

Worth the Drive

Great things close to Gridley worth adding to your itinerary.

The Lavender Ranch — Biggs

An organic lavender farm just down the road offering walking tours through the fields during bloom season. A fragrant, picture-perfect stop any time of year.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area

A short drive west of downtown, Gray Lodge offers year-round wildlife viewing with walking trails, driving routes, and viewing blinds set against a stunning wetlands backdrop.

Sacramento Valley Agritourism

Gridley sits at the heart of one of the world's most productive farming regions. Rice, almonds, citrus, and more — the Sacramento Valley's agricultural story starts here.

Ready to Visit?

Stop by the Chamber office inside the historic Hazel Hotel. We have maps, local guides, event calendars, and friendly faces happy to point you in the right direction.

Find the Chamber Upcoming Events

890 Hazel St, Gridley, CA 95948  |  (530) 846-3142