Redding

About

Redding sits at the northern end of the Sacramento Valley, where the Sacramento River cuts through the landscape on its way south. It's often dismissed as a highway pit stop on Interstate 5, but that's a mistake. The city has invested substantially in its waterfront, and the result is Turtle Bay Exploration Park - one of the most impressive, accessible outdoor attractions in Northern California.

The Sundial Bridge is Turtle Bay's centerpiece. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2004, it's a stunning 700-foot pedestrian bridge over the Sacramento River, supported by a single 217-foot asymmetric tower. The bridge is free and open to the public daily, and it functions as an actual working sundial - the largest sundial in the world. The deck is smooth and fully wheelchair accessible, and the views of the river and surrounding bluffs from the bridge are genuinely spectacular.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park surrounds the bridge with 300 acres of nature trails, gardens, and indoor exhibits. The entire park - including the arboretum loop trails and the Sacramento River trail system - is wheelchair and stroller accessible. The park's museum features natural history and science exhibits in a fully accessible building. A heritage train on the property can accommodate one wheelchair or mobility scooter in its caboose.

Beyond Turtle Bay, Redding serves as a gateway to some of Northern California's most dramatic landscapes. Shasta Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and the Trinity Alps Wilderness are all within an easy drive. The city's location at the convergence of several major recreation areas makes it a logical base for multi-day exploration of Northern California's mountains and lakes.

Accessibility

Redding has invested heavily in accessible infrastructure, particularly at Turtle Bay Exploration Park and the Sundial Bridge.

Sundial Bridge: Free and open to the public daily. The bridge deck is smooth, paved, and fully wheelchair accessible. Accessible parking and restrooms are available at the Turtle Bay trailheads adjacent to the bridge. The bridge is the most accessible major landmark in the Redding area.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park: - The entire park is wheelchair and stroller accessible, including the museum, gardens, and trail systems. - Arboretum Loop trails connecting from the Sundial Bridge are all wheelchair accessible. - All park restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Family/private restroom access is available by request. - First Aid staff can assist with general supplies and can call Emergency Medical Services. - Heritage train: The caboose accommodates one wheelchair or mobility scooter meeting standard wheelchair clearance guidelines. - Museum exhibits are indoors in an accessible building.

Admission: Sundial Bridge access is free. Turtle Bay Exploration Park proper charges admission to museum and some gardens; check turtlebay.org for current pricing.

Terrain notes: The Sacramento River trails adjacent to the park are paved and largely flat. The Redding area experiences very high summer temperatures (100+ degrees Fahrenheit regularly from June through September). Early morning visits are strongly recommended in summer.

For current accessibility details, visit turtlebay.org or call Turtle Bay at (530) 243-8850.

More accessible places in California

• Griffith Observatory (Los Angeles)
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) (Los Angeles)
• San Diego Zoo (San Diego)
• Yosemite National Park (Yosemite)
• Exploratorium (San Francisco)
• Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach)