Outdoor adventure enthusiasts rejoice in Redding, California. Located in the northern part of the state, this hidden-gem destination has a temperate climate year-round, and is the sunniest city in all of California. Groups will find an abundance of outdoor activities that range from lazing on the lake to thrilling off-road biking. Add in top-notch culture and culinary offerings, and Redding is the perfect stop for your next California tour.
Credit: Seth McGaha
ROAM
Head to Turtle Bay Exploration Park. The world-famous Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay is a pedestrian bridge over the Sacramento River and a working sundial. The sundial shadow traces such a large are that it can record only four hours a day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 300-acre park features a museum, indoor and outdoor animal exhibits, playgrounds, and gardens. Access to the Sundial Bridge and surrounding river trails are free. Paid access areas include the Turtle Bay Museum, Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp, Wildlife Woods, and McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.
CRUISE
Enjoy a meal while floating on scenic Lake Shasta, thanks to Lake Shasta Dinner Cruises. Narration covers the lake’s history and geography, as well as points out local flora and fauna.
EXPLORE
Credit: Avery Rosenthal
Lassen Volcanic National Park, established in 1916, provides visitors with opportunities to see steaming fumaroles, clear mountain lakes, and many volcanoes. Boardwalks lead past bubbling pits of mud and hissing cracks in the earth. The Devastated Area received its name after the 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak.
DO
Arrange a ranger-led kayak tour on Whiskeytown Lake in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Whiskeytown Lake, a premier paddlesport destination, has almost 40 miles of shoreline, so there are many coves, islands, and open waters to explore. The 42,000-acre national recreation area also has dozens of miles of trails for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Hikes range from easy to difficult. A rugged canyon, waterfalls, historic mining features, post-fire ecology, and Whiskeytown Lake can all be enjoyed on specific trails.
Main image: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area; Credit: Brent VanAuken
