Redding combines Art Deco architecture, a distinctive river structure and trails along the Sacramento River. When planning your trip, it’s worth keeping these themes separate: the Cascade Theatre offers a clear connection to architecture and history, Turtle Bay brings together cultural and nature-focused attractions, and the Sacramento River Trail offers a different perspective on the landscape. This lets you tailor your stay to your own interests rather than treating the different sights as interchangeable stops.

Architecture, a river structure and Turtle Bay

The Cascade Theatre is an outstanding example of Art Deco architecture. It opened on August 9, 1935. Architecture enthusiasts will find a specific historical connection here, clearly distinct from the nature and exhibition themes around Turtle Bay.

The Sundial Bridge is a pedestrian bridge and public art installation in Redding. It crosses the Sacramento River and connects the northern and southern areas of Turtle Bay Exploration Park. It also functions as a sundial and is one of the largest sundials in the world. Bridge design, art and timekeeping come together in this structure.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park is a nonprofit gathering place spanning 300 acres. Its attractions include the Sundial Bridge, a museum, a forestry and wildlife center, an arboretum and botanical gardens. The Turtle Bay Museum features permanent exhibitions about the region and changing exhibitions from around the world. The contrast between regional permanent exhibits and changing international exhibitions offers two different perspectives for a museum visit.

Animals, a lumber camp and gardens

Visitors to Turtle Bay Exploration Park can see more than 64 animal species, many of them native to Northern California. Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp complements this nature theme as an educational center modeled on a historic lumber camp. Attractions include playgrounds, animal exhibits and the Mill Building. The park thus focuses both on observing animals and on exploring how an earlier lumber camp is presented.

McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens covers 10 acres. A diverse range of plants grows there, with species native to Mediterranean climates. The gardens add a distinct botanical element to the larger Turtle Bay site. Along with the forestry and wildlife center and animal exhibits, they offer several ways to explore the park’s nature theme.

Hiking and biking along the Sacramento River

The paved Sacramento River Trail is a national recreation trail in Redding. It is used for walking, hiking, biking and horseback riding. The 17-mile trail follows the river; its loops pass through varied landscapes and offer views of local birdlife.

The trail itself runs for 17 miles along the river. The trail network in the wider area is separate: within a 15-mile radius of downtown, there are 225 miles of trails in total. One figure describes the length of the river trail; the other describes the combined length of trails within the stated radius. This distinction makes it possible to tell the specific river route apart from the more extensive trail network without confusing them as the same route.

Parking for Turtle Bay Exploration Park is available at the Sundial Bridge parking lot. As parking rules may change, check current parking options again before your visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Burney, Shasta Lake, Lakehead-Lakeshore, Fall River Mills, Anderson.

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