Explore Redding, California

It’s time to go on a virtual road trip to Redding, California! Join the Cowboy Lifestyle Network team as we guide you through all of the top attractions and must-see sights of northern California. Click and hang on because this is going to be a good run, “where fun meets adventure”!

About Redding, California

Redding, California is known for its captivating scenery, a bustling economy, and vibrant community. Known as “the Jewel of Northern California,” Redding promotes a high quality of life for its residents and is hailed as a promising region for economic and cultural development. Redding was officially incorporated in 1887, with 600 citizens. Before it was incorporated, Redding was included in the Rancho Buena Ventura land grant given to Pierson B. Reading in 1844. The town was named after Benjamin B. Redding, a land agent of the Southern Pacific Railroad who decided to route the tracks through the area in 1872. Before settlers started coming in, Redding was primarily settled by Native Americans of the Wintu Tribe. Settlements of the Wintu tribe stretched from the northwestern part of the Sacramento River down to the vicinity of present-day Chico. See below for some additional fun facts about Redding.

• The Sundial Bridge is one of the largest working sundials in the world–and serves as a pedestrian bridge over the Sacramento River in the heart of Redding. The bridge is world-famous and is a California icon.
• Redding has been named a “Top 10 Fishing Town in North America” by Forbes Magazine.
• Redding has been named the “Unofficial Capital of Kayaking” by Time Magazine.
• Redding is known as the “Trails Capital of California.”
• With over 300 days of sunshine, Redding is the 2^nd sunniest city in the U.S.
• The Sacramento River is California’s longest river. Beginning near Mt. Shasta and flowing into the San Francisco Bay, it runs clear and cold right through the heart of Redding.
• All of Redding’s drinking water comes from the Sacramento River.

Things to See & Do in Redding

If you’re itching to get out of the house or are headed through northern California, make sure to add these “Must See” attractions in Redding, California.

Sundial Bridge

Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the Sundial Bridge is one of the world’s largest working sundials! The suspension bridge reaches 217 feet into the sky and goes about 710 feet across the Sacramento River. The Sundial Bridge was intentionally constructed without river footings to leave the salmon-spawning habitat below undisturbed, making it also eco-friendly! The deck is surfaced with translucent glass which is illuminated from beneath and glows aquamarine at night. While world-renowned and environmentally sensitive, Sundial Bridge also inspires onlookers with its “bird in flight” design, symbolizing overcoming adversity.

Lake Shasta Caverns

Lake Shasta Caverns National Natural Landmark is one of three known caverns in Shasta County. Our beds originated 250 million years ago when the earth was subjected to the folding of its crust. Ultimately, this created the Klamath Mountains. The caverns were part of life for the Wintu Indians, who lived in the area. In the 1870s, a fish hatchery and small town were built on the McCloud River and the cave was named Baird Cave. A hatchery employee, J.A. Richardson, officially discovered the caverns in 1878. Since 1964, they have been opened as a natural attraction to the public.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Located just west of Redding, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located at the juncture of the Klamath Mountain range and the northern edge of the Sacramento Valley, making it home to a special collection of plant and animal life, and year-round beauty. The park features Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta Bally mountain (6,209 ft.), and numerous waterfalls, providing outdoor enthusiasts opportunities for water recreation, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Lake-based recreation is popular during the drier summer months; Whiskeytown Lake is always full and provides 36 miles of shoreline and 3,200 surface acres for recreation. Its placid surface is excellent for swimming, scuba diving, and fishing. Ranger-led kayak tours are popular and paddleboard yoga can be found on the water most weekends. Whiskeytown’s beaches beckon families and groups, and open-water swimmers often take to the water for training. Generations of sailors have enjoyed the quiet lake for sailing, and the Whiskeytown Memorial Regatta has celebrated 50 years of racing.

Shasta Lake

There’s plenty of room to move on this 30,000-acre/12,140-hectare reservoir, the largest in California. A typical summer day finds the crystal blue waters sprinkled with fishing boats, jet skis, inner tubes—almost anything that floats. Especially houseboats. Some Almost 370 miles of shoreline wrap around mirror-smooth coves ideal for anchoring. Cast for bass, crappie, catfish, and sturgeon. Or just kick back with a cocktail on the deck of your floating vacation home and drink in views of Mt. Shasta’s perennially snowcapped, 14,180-foot/4,322-meter peak. 

Shasta Dam

Shasta Dam is located about nine miles northwest of Redding, California, on the Sacramento River. Built during the seven-year period between 1938 and 1945, the dam is a 602-foot-high concrete gravity dam, which provides flood control, power, and water supply benefits. The reservoir is also used extensively for recreation.

Attend Redding Rodeo

The Redding Rodeo has been a staple to Redding since the mid-1900s. Taking place May 13-15, you can catch all the PRCA rodeo action at the Redding Rodeo Arena. We hope you are ready for three full days of rodeo action because each night the gates will open at 5 pm, pre-rodeo will start at 6:45 pm and the Grand Entry kicks off at 7 pm! You can expect to see all of your favorites including Bull Riding, Bareback Riding, Barrel Racing, Tie-down Roping, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Mutton Bustin, Chuck Wagon Races, and other specialty acts like the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls.

Thurs May 13, Fri May 14, & Sat May 15, 2021

About Redding Rodeo

It’s time for the 73rd Annual Redding Rodeo coming up May 13-15, 2021 in Redding, California. Cowboy Lifestyle Network is proud to be partnering up with one of the best rodeos in the great state of California. It is going to be a jam-packed week of fun and rodeo. Check out the full schedule of events on their website and keep an eye out for updates regarding additional seating for rodeo weekend. Find out more here.