Redding is the biggest city in far Northern California, and for visitors it works less as a destination in itself than as a hub. It sits on the Sacramento River at the northern end of the Central Valley, with Interstate 5 running through it, and within an hour or two you can reach a huge national park built on an active volcano, the largest reservoir in the state, a spring-fed waterfall, a wild river for rafting and the white cone of Mount Shasta. This guide explains how to make sense of it all on a first visit.
Start with the town
The Sundial Bridge is the image of Redding: a glass-decked pedestrian bridge by Santiago Calatrava that crosses the Sacramento River beside Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Crossing it is free and takes minutes, and it is best at sunrise or after dark when the deck is lit. From the bridge the Sacramento River Trail runs for miles along the water, giving easy walks and rides. Turtle Bay adds a museum and botanical gardens, and the combination makes a relaxed half day that suits any age.
Then the lake and the dam
North of the city, Shasta Dam holds back Lake Shasta, California's largest reservoir. The dam offers guided tours that go inside the structure, and the views of the spillway and the lake are free. A short distance away, Lake Shasta Caverns combine a catamaran crossing of the lake, a bus ride up the mountainside and a guided walk through chambers of flowstone and crystal, which is one of the most distinctive ticketed experiences in the region. On the water itself, houseboats and day boats are the local way to spend a summer.
Volcano country
Lassen Volcanic National Park lies about an hour and a quarter east of Redding and contains all four types of volcano. The park road, usually open from early summer to autumn, passes steaming vents, mud pots and alpine lakes. Bumpass Hell is the best-known hydrothermal basin, reached by a three-mile round-trip trail, and the Lassen Peak hike climbs to a summit above ten thousand feet. To the north, Mount Shasta rises over 14,000 feet and can be seen from far down the valley; guided tours and short hikes around its base are a gentler way to experience it. Castle Crags State Park, with its granite spires, is on the way.
Water, falls and history
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, a short drive west, has a clear lake for swimming and paddling and a 220-foot waterfall at the end of a steady hike. Further east, Burney Falls pours from the rock face itself and is one of the state's most photogenic falls. To the west along Highway 299, Shasta State Historic Park preserves the brick ruins of a gold rush town, and Weaverville has a nineteenth-century Chinese temple that is still in use. The Trinity River beyond offers guided whitewater rafting.
When to go
Redding is hot and dry in summer, with temperatures often above one hundred degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it the season for the lake, the river and early-morning hikes. Spring is the best time for waterfalls and wildflowers, and autumn is mild with good light. Winter is cool and can be wet, and the high country around Lassen and Shasta is snowbound, though snowshoeing and skiing open up. Wildfire smoke can affect air quality in late summer, so keep plans flexible.
How to organise your days
Treat Redding as a base and plan one town day, one lake day and one or two bigger excursions. On the town day, cross the Sundial Bridge, visit Turtle Bay and walk the river trail. On the lake day, tour Shasta Dam and visit the caverns, or rent a boat. On excursion days, choose between Lassen, Burney Falls and Mount Shasta depending on the season and your energy. You will need a car; public transport is limited and the sights are spread out.
Where to stay
Redding has hotels for most budgets, from familiar chains along Hilltop Drive and Interstate 5 to a spa hotel, a casino resort and a boutique property. For the river and the Sundial Bridge, the Sheraton on the north bank is the obvious pick. For value and convenience, the Hilltop strip is hard to beat. Book early for summer weekends.
Practical notes
Services thin out quickly beyond the city, so fill your tank, bring water and food on days in the national parks, and check road and trail status in advance. Entrance fees apply at national and state parks. Carry sun protection, wear layers at altitude and respect fire restrictions. Cell coverage is patchy in the mountains, so download maps and audio tours before you go.
