Location: Redding
Top Things to do in Redding
Top 10 Things to do in Redding, United States
There's a variety of water sports in Redding, from whitewater rafting on the Sacramento River to waterskiing, swimming, fishing and sailing on Shasta Lake, one of four magnificent manmade lakes in this northeastern California town. When you're ready to dry off, there are also plenty of land-based activities, like camping or hiking in the national forests and parks, following walking trails through the 220-acre arboretum or spending time exploring two fascinating parks: Shasta State Historic Park and Turtle Bay Exploration Park. At Shasta State, you'll find the ghost town of Shasta City from the Gold Rush days, complete with restored stagecoach, barn and courthouse, with eerie reminders of where prisoners were kept and sometimes hanged. The ever-expanding 300-acre Turtle Bay Park houses the recently opened Turtle Bay Museum, with extraordinary hands-on exhibits focusing on the environment and an outstanding collection of American Indian baskets. The kids will love the park's Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp, which includes a playground, logging and ecology exhibits and the popular summer butterfly house, where the fragile winged creatures flit about and alight on welcoming visitors.
Restaurants in Redding
1. Whiskeytown Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By Amber V - Redding
Whiskeytown offers so much for so many people. While getting to the lake is easy, getting into the water may prove somewhat difficult to those in a wheelchair. However, for those in a stroller, life may not be so difficult. Several beaches offer snack shops where visitors can purchase snacks & non alcoholic beverages. Most public beaches are non-smoking & no alcohol beaches so be aware of this as there are a good amount of folks who will happily call you in for violations to the authorities who will come & are happy to hand out tickets. Someone has to pay for the upkeep on the beaches! The water is crystal clear in most locations & affords those with the proper license fishing opportunities! Look for bass, sun fish, & some trout (both brown & rainbow) During certain times of the year, Kokanee salmon run through & are easily spotted with their fire red skins. Most of the beaches are laden with Hawaii-like white sandy beaches. When I 1st saw Whiskeytown Lake, I thought of Tahoe. The biggest differences between the two are Whiskeytown contains smaller rocks & the water is warmer. Some beaches offer lifegaurds during the warmest months. Get your parking pass at the visitor center before heading out as there are not always passes available to self fill out.
2. Sacramento River Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Designated as a National Recreation Trail by the U.S. National Park Service, this scenic trail offers hiking, biking and horseback riding within the boundaries of a lively city.
Reviewed By Ronald C - Upland, California
It is a long walke next time we will bring bikes. quite and supprising to see samlon in the river jumping up streams to return to where they were born.
3. Sundial Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Scheduled for completion in Summer 2004, this unusually designed bridge, functioning as a sundial at one end and conveying a sense of weightlessness, connects the north and south campuses of Turtle Bay Exploration Park.
Reviewed By RickCrescentCity_CA - Crescent City, CA
Like the movie said, "Build it and they will come" is what they expected when they built this. I remember the press.
Wiki said 24mil for this thing. IT IS Different but not for the money. Dangerous in summer because of the hot surface according to signs leading in. People no doubt go there for lack of something better but what a huge extravegant use of public funds. Admittedly, I prefer my Redwoods, rivers and beaches. They can have this thing. I wont be back. Was only killing some time while in town.
4. Turtle Bay Exploration Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 386 reviews
300 Acres of Fun! A hands-on natural science museum, arboretum & botanical gardens, live animals, summer wildlife show, year-round Parrot Playhouse (lorikeet aviary), walking trails, forestry center and ecology exhibits are all part of our expansive environmental and cultural museum complex.
Reviewed By David S
Explored indoor and outdoor activities with 3 small children, ages 3-7 who were engaged at every installation, from old California mining artifacts to hands on solar electricity demonstrations, they loved it. Easy to navigate for parents and outdoor play/learning areas equally enjoyable. Highly recommend!
5. Bethel Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
Reviewed By converge77 - Surrey, Canada
Dropped off my son for this, and they were very welcoming even for a visitor for one time. He was blessed by the speaker and worship time. Youth meet at the Twin View campus and the Alabaster Room is at the main campus which is also a must visit while there.
6. Shasta State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
This historic park houses the remains of Shasta City, alive and bustling in the Gold Rush days, and now a ghost town with restored stagecoach, barn and courthouse.
Reviewed By Chia2005 - Huntington Beach, California
Went on a Monday, didn't know that the museum was only open Thurs-Sun. Still walked around the area and took some good pictures. Physically being here will definitely give you a better idea/image of the gold rush era. Not so far from I-5. Actually, we came here on our way back from Mount Shasta, after we went to Shasta Dam.
7. Cascade Theatre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By JoeandCheri - Redding, California
Cascade is a top-rated performing arts theater in Redding, CA. Many different venues are held there, including local issue presentations; i.e. A current report on sex trafficking. The entertainment events are great and very reasonably priced, especially for families. Lots of parking a half street up at the mall and wonderful restaurants are nearby. Disability parking is also close. During the summer, Market Street is held in the early evening with lots of food and craft vendors. The Asphalt Cowboys just served up over 10,000 breakfasts in that area. Several streets were closed off for the annual event.
8. Sacramento River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By csarchibald - San Marcos, California
We were along the river from the Sundial Bridge up river along the River trail and so some fishermen pulling out some nice sized fish. Made me want to go fishing. Nice stroll along the river trail which was not too strenuous.
9. Lema Ranch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By JoeandCheri - Redding, California
This ranch has some great walking/running trails around lots of greenery, ponds, and fowl who visit on their way up north or down south. No dogs or bicycles allowed. The trail is open from sunup to sundown. Ample parking space is provided. There are several miles of improved trails which has no mountains or big challenges to overcome. It is at least five miles long.
10. Clear Creek
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Art H - Weaverville, North Carolina
The main draw here is the viewing platform for watching salmon move upstream to spawn. However, the trail leading upstream from the viewing platform is excellent. You get great views of the gorge before crossing the road into a section of the trail that has been impacted by a past forest fire. The trail is well marked and traverses some very interesting habitat. It is a good area for birds and other wildlife. We were here in the fall, but I would guess that there would be an abundance of wildflowers along the trail in the spring. There are other trails along Clear Creek Road that might be worth exploring
