Page 154 - 2015 Travel Guide to California

REDDING
Super-sized fun for all seasons
»BIKE, PADDLE,
SWIM, STROLL
Redding Visitor
Information
visitredding.com
THE SUNDIAL BRIDGE at Turtle
Bay over the Sacramento River,
above; cycling on the Sacramento
River Trail, below.
THE MOST ICONIC BRIDGE north of the
Golden Gate is a good reason to visit Red-
ding, but it’s far from the only one.
Snow-capped volcanoes, recreational lakes
and California’s mightiest river combine to
make this town in the northern Sacramento
Valley a nexus for outdoor enthusiasts.
Redding calls itself the Trail Capital of
California, and with good reason: Within 10
miles of the city center you can find more
than 200 miles of trails. Choose from hiking
trails, running trails, dog-walking trails,
mountain-biking trails, horseback-riding
trails, even trails for Segways.
The most renowned of these is the
recently completed Sacramento River Trail,
a National Recreation Trail. This 19-mile
paved path from downtown Redding to the
Shasta Dam makes an ideal track for many
different types of trails enthusiasts. The
path crosses the Sacramento River on the
stunning Sundial Bridge, which draws visi-
tors from the world over. Designed by
Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the
glass-and-steel cantilever bridge was built
for bicycles and pedestrians and forms the
world’s largest working sundial.
Before heading out of town, pause to
investigate Turtle Bay Exploration Park, with
its arboretum, botanical gardens, Paul
Bunyan Forest Camp and museum featuring
152 2015 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A
B Y P E T E R W A T T S
underwater fish viewing.
At the other end of the Sacramento River
Trail you’ll find yourself at Shasta Dam.
Behind it stretches Shasta Lake, California’s
most expansive reservoir. California’s recent
drought has lowered the lake level, but it’s
still a big attraction. With 365 miles of ever-
green-lined shoreline, including countless
bays and inlets, it’s a popular venue for
houseboating, waterskiing, fishing, jet-
skiing, and, increasingly, paddleboarding. A
trip to the lake is not complete without a visit
to one of the nation’s newest National Nat-
ural Landmarks, the Shasta Caverns. Some
geologists consider these caves the most
beautiful limestone caverns in the nation.
Alternatively, head a few minutes west of
Redding to Whiskeytown Lake for bass
fishing, kayaking, sailing and birdwatching.
Keep an eye out for one of the many
breeding pairs of bald eagles.
Rising above Redding are two of Cali-
fornia’s most beguiling mountains, Mount
Shasta and Mount Lassen, the southernmost
of the chain of Cascade volcanoes stretching
from Canada like a row of votive candles.
Shasta, the taller of the two, requires an ice
axe, crampons—and the knowledge of how
to use them—to reach the top, but Lassen
can be ascended in summer via a well-
graded hiking trail.
STEPHEN B. GOODWIN/SHUTTERSTOCK; C.FLENTYE/REDDING CVB