The city ofReddingis ideally situated to serve as a home base to visit several area natural wonders, includingLassen Volcanic National Park,McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, andWhiskeytown Lake. But this leafy urban center—located about 160 miles north of Sacramento—also harbors surprising gems within its city limits. Discover a buzzing downtown packed with brewpubs and bistros, tour an amazing eco-museum on the Sacramento River, catch a concert at an art deco theater, and explore an extensive trail system. Plus, you can play outside all year long because Redding boasts more than 300 days of sunshine.
What to Do in Redding
Topping Redding's must-see list isTurtle Bay Exploration Park, a 300-acre venue featuring a glass-and-wood eco-museum, arboretum, and seasonal butterfly garden that blend seamlessly with the Sacramento River's ecosystem. Exhibits designed for all ages let you look into a golden eagle's eyes, get close-up with a porcupine, and walk into an aviary filled with Australian lorikeets, one of the world's most colorful birds (don't be surprised if they land on your head).
Outside the museum, traipse across the 710-foot-longSundial Bridge, part engineering marvel and part art installation. Designed by architectSantiago Calatrava, the pedestrian bridge's 218-foot-high "mast" casts a shadow during daylight hours, creating an artistic timekeeping device. After dark, the bridge's translucent glass floor glows a cool aquamarine.
Time your trip so you can catch a show at the 1935Cascade Theatre, an art deco marvel. The 950-seat performing arts venue hosts musicians like Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jim Messina. After the show, cross the street toVintage Public Housefor a nightcap and dessert.
Family Fun in Redding
Traveling with energetic kids? Let them bounce around atRare Air Trampoline Parkor climb the walls atShasta Rock Club. Or take them on a California history field-trip toShasta State Historic Park. In the 1850s, this was the queen city of California’s northern mining district, with hotels, stores, and saloons in the largest row of brick buildings north of San Francisco.
The whole family can explore Redding by bike. With more than 200 miles of trails within a 15-mile radius, Redding has earned its nickname as "Trails Capital of California." The city's showpiece is the 17.5-mile-longSacramento River Trail, which begins at the Sundial Bridge and skirts along the riverbanks. (Bring your own wheels or rent them atRedding Sports LtdorPedego Electric Bikes.) The colder months bring a whole different set of family-friendlyoutdoor winter activities, from skiing and snowboarding to snowshoeing, sledding, and snowmobiling.
Where to Eat in Redding
Redding's up-and-coming restaurant scene has lured top chefs from across the country. Sample the city's culinary prowess under the lofty ceiling atMosaic Restaurant. Located on the Turtle Bay campus, this chic spot serves a modern bistro-style menu three meals a day (dinner entrées include Chilean sea bass, seared duck breast, and pancetta-wrapped salmon). On warm evenings, dine under the tree-shaded patio, then take an evening walk across the Sundial Bridge.
In Redding's revitalized downtown, step into the art-bedecked dining room atCafe Paradisioand choose from an on-point menu featuring beef cheek risotto and cauliflower fritto. Just a few blocks away,Market Street Blade & Barrelspecializes in American steakhouse classics: New York strip, French onion soup, and beef carpaccio. On the west side of town,Moonstone Bistroserves only local organic produce, free-range meats, and line-caught fish. For appetizers, don't miss the feta and pomegranate frybread.
Coffee, Breweries, and Wine Tasting in Redding
While you're sampling Redding's culinary culture, check out its award-winning beverages, too. Caffeinate your morning atTheory Coffee Roasters, which has earned high honors as one of North America's most acclaimed coffee roasters. Sip artisan suds atFall River Brewing Company, a top competitor at the Great American Beer Festival, andFinal Draft Brewing Company, where signature brews are paired with a tempting menu of pub food. Wine lovers will need to check out the downtown Redding tasting room ofNew Clairvaux Vineyard, a historic winery located about an hour away and run by a community of Trappist-Cistercian monks and a fifth-generation winemaker. Named 2023’s “Golden State Winery of the Year”in theCalifornia State Fair's Commercial Wine Competition,the Vina vineyard produces several varieties of rosés as well as wines made with more unusual varietals such as Trebbiano, Assyrtiko, and sparkling Bollicine.
Where to Stay in Redding
Choose among the quirky, the charming, and the tried-and-true for your overnight stay. Reserve a room with a picture-perfect view of the Sacramento River at the hilltopHilton Garden Inn Redding, or sleep in nostalgic 1960s style at Thunderbird Lodge, a modern roadsidehotelin downtown Redding. To experience Redding like a local, book a stay at Bridgehouse Bred & Breakfast; it offers views of the Sacramento River and such amenities as a copper tub and a rooftop patio. The pet-friendlyAmericana Modern Hoteloffers sleek rooms in the midst of Redding's bustling central district. For an eco-chic stay, book a room at the LEED-certifiedSheraton Redding at the Sundial Bridge, which offers easy access to Turtle Bay Exploration Park, the Cascade Theater, and downtown restaurants.
Things to Do Near Redding
Unsurprisingly, there is a lot to do in the great outdoors that surrounds Redding. Make the city your base camp while you set out to hike to waterfalls or have some fun on the water atWhiskeytown Lake, or check out the epic scenery atMt. Shasta. Water sports, camping, and fishing rule the day atShasta Lake, while mountain bikers flock toSwasey Recreational Area.Lassen Volcanic National Parkis also nearby, where you can walk amidst boiling mudpots on a raised boardwalk, andMacArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Parkalso offers a singular experience: the 129-footBurney Falls, nicknamed the eighth wonder of the world. If just one waterfall isn’t enough, from Redding you can head out on a chasing waterfallsroad tripwhich will lead you to five of the state’s most impressive falls, and also Lassen Volcanic National Park. For more ideas, check outHow to Spend a Perfect Weekend in Shasta Cascadeand thisShasta Cascade Road Trip.
