Attractions and Places To See around Redding - Top 15

Redding offers several family-friendly attractions. The Sundial Bridge is a celebrated pedestrian passage and art masterpiece, connecting to Turtle Bay Exploration Park, which features a botanical garden, forest camp, and museum. You can also visit the Redding Railroad Trestle Bridge, an impressive engineering marvel. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and Shasta Lake provide opportunities for swimming, boating, and hiking suitable for families.

For stunning views, the Whiskeytown Lake Overlook offers elevated perspectives of the reservoir, complete with information panels on the area's nature and history. Additionally, Mount Shasta provides breathtaking views and is often visible from Redding, while Castle Crags State Park features dramatic granite spires and pinnacles.

Yes, Redding is surrounded by remarkable natural features. Lassen Volcanic National Park, about 45 minutes east, showcases all four types of volcanoes and active geothermal features. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area offers a lake for water activities and numerous trails to waterfalls. Shasta Lake, California's largest man-made reservoir, is popular for water sports, and the Sacramento River Trail provides extensive hiking and biking opportunities along the river.

You can delve into Redding's history and culture by visiting Historic Downtown Redding, which bloomed in the 1950s with lumber and dam projects. The Redding Cultural District, stretching from the Sundial Bridge into downtown, features public art, historic spaces, and cultural institutions. Shasta State Historic Park offers a glimpse into early Californian life with its partially restored ghost town and courthouse museum.

The area around Redding is excellent for outdoor activities. You can find numerous trails for gravel biking, mountain biking, and running. For example, there are many routes for gravel biking, including loops around Mary Lake and the Sacramento River. MTB trails are abundant in areas like Swasey Recreation Area and Westside Trails. For running, popular routes include loops around the Sundial Bridge and Churn Creek Trail.

Yes, the region boasts spectacular waterfalls. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area features multiple waterfalls, including Whiskeytown Falls, accessible via trails. Further afield, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is home to Burney Falls, a stunning 129-foot waterfall fed by underground springs, often considered one of California's most beautiful natural wonders.

The Sundial Bridge is an iconic pedestrian bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava, spanning the Sacramento River. It's unique because it functions as one of the world's largest working sundials, with a glass deck. It connects Turtle Bay Exploration Park to the city's Bluffs and is beautifully illuminated at night.

Absolutely. Shasta Lake, California's largest man-made reservoir, offers over 360 miles of shoreline and is a prime spot for houseboating, fishing, and swimming. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area also encompasses Whiskeytown Lake, where visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, kayaking, and even scuba diving.

Yes, several attractions in Redding are designed to be accessible. The Sundial Bridge is wheelchair accessible, providing a smooth path across the Sacramento River. The Whiskeytown Lake Overlook is also wheelchair accessible, offering great views and interpretive panels.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park is a 300-acre campus along the Sacramento River that integrates a botanical garden, a forest camp, and a museum. It features exhibits on local history, regional plant life, and native animals. The McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, part of the park, spans 225 acres with diverse plant collections.

The Redding Railroad Trestle Bridge is a significant engineering marvel. It features 26 lattice masts and stretches over 1300 meters, with three trusses spanning the Sacramento River and rising 34 meters above the water. It gracefully curves, shifting its direction by 90 degrees.

Yes, the Lake Shasta Caverns are a National Natural Landmark, featuring 250 million-year-old limestone caverns. Access involves a scenic catamaran cruise across Shasta Lake, followed by a bus ride and a walking tour to explore their intricate crystal formations.