Retiring on the Paradise Ridge: One of the Best Retirement Towns in California
Welcome to Retirement on The Ridge
The Ridge is an excellent place to retire because of its peaceful atmosphere, friendly community and space available to call your own. There are a number of activities to enjoy in town and all the services needed for you to live a comfortable lifestyle. Its close proximity to Chico and Oroville still gives you access to all the big city amenities while allowing yourself to be immersed in the beauty on The Ridge.
If you are considering retirement on The Ridge take a look at our guide below to help get you started.
Things to Do
Arts and Culture: Paradise Performing Arts Center is a state of the art venue that hosts a variety of events from theater to concerts and more. Theatre on the Ridge (TOTR) has been producing live dramas since 1980 and is the oldest non profit community theater north of Sacramento. TOTR puts on seven full length performances annually so there is always something new and interesting to enjoy.
Outdoors: Getting out on the water of Paradise Lake is an excellent way to enjoy the natural beauty on The Ridge. The 204-acre lake is surrounded by trees and has plenty of other areas available for a variety of outdoor activities. Kayak rentals are available on Saturday and Sunday at boat launch #2, to rent a Kayak, click here. The Ridge has a number of ways to enjoy hiking, biking, fishing and more!
Shopping:
There are a number of antique stores in town to browse and find hidden treasures. Get lost in
Attic Treasures, a two story, 10,000 sq ft store filled with an endless amount of items to explore. Another option with an equally impressive selection is
Skyway Antique Mall, where you can find everything from furniture to jewelry.
Clubs and Organizations:
The true spirit of the community is echoed through the engaged club and organizations on The Ridge. These friendly groups are an excellent way to meet new people and get to know the area. Take a look at the list
here and see which is the best fit for you.
Exercise: Take a walk on the
The Yellowstone Kelly Heritage Trail, which was
formerly a railroad and later converted into a trail. It is a great option for all, runs the length of the Skyway and features 30 plaques commemorating Paradise history and pioneers.
Photo courtesy of Explore Butte County

Where to Eat
Famous for its Pancakes,
Debbie’s Restaurant has been part of the community since 1988. Their menu features classic breakfast items including homemade gravy.
Meeho’s is a local favorite that features traditional Mexican dishes and is home to the 2 lb grande burrito.
Stop by
Nic’s for food, beer and wine and delicious sandwiches, salads and more. Their outdoor patio is excellent for enjoying the sunset.
Joy Lyn's Candies has been a local tradition since 1969--famous for their chocolates and candies. One of their most popular items is ​​their award winning Beer Brittle made with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.
Medical Services
Adventist Health has two locations in Paradise that offer a variety of services ranging from behavioral health, dental, dermatology, primary care, rapid care, specialty care and womens health.
The Feather River Health Center is currently undergoing a 2.4M renovation and expansion with an estimated completion date of December 2023, and accepting new patients January 2024.
The new facility will feature:
- New Rapid Care Clinic with 8 exam rooms
- New Primary Care Clinic with 7 exam rooms, increasing capacity for appointments
- New Women's Imaging Center, will provide mammograms and bone density tests
Enloe Medical Center is just a short 20 minute drive from Paradise, in Chico. They are a Level II Trauma Center and the region’s only Level II neonatal intensive care unit. In nearby Oroville is Oroville hospital which provides a range of services from prevention through treatment to wellness.
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