No visit to UpStateCA would be complete without a stop in Shasta County! Home to Redding, the largest city in the region, Shasta County boasts world-class museums and inspiring architecture - however it certainly doesn't skimp on the outdoor beauty that the Shasta Cascade is known for! Visit million year old caves, or spend the day sailing on pristine lakes. While there's more then enough in Shasta County to keep you busy for a week or more, we've put together some of our favorite sites for a day that encapsulates the best that Shasta County has to offer.
The Sundial Bridge
Start your day at Redding's centerpiece - the Sundial Bridge! This architectural marvel reaches 217 feet into the sky and spans 710 feet across the Sacramento River, serving as a hub for Redding's rich trails system. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the bridge was the first of its kind in the United States, and is a functioning sundial.
Turtle Bay Exploration Park
After you've strolled down the Sundial, check out Turtle Bay Exploration Park - a 300-acre campus with educational and entertaining experiences that interpret the relationship between humans and nature. The Park tells the story of the region and its people through a museum that includes an underground aquarium, Native American history and exhibits, interactive experiments, rotating art exhibits, wildlife exhibits, and Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp, which features a variety of play areas for kids to let off some steam.
Grab A Bite
After a exploring the museum, sit down for a nice meal at Mosaic. This local restaurant sits right next to Turtle Bay and offers California cuisine with a wine country twist. With a menu focusing on pizza’s, shareable appetizers, hearty salads, and pasta’s Mosaic offers something for the whole family.
Shasta Caverns
After lunch, head towards Shasta Lake and check out Lake Shasta Caverns National Natural Landmark. Start the tour with a catamaran cruise across Shasta Lake, the largest man-made lake in California. Then hop on a bus and make your way to the beautiful and historic limestone caves. Once there, you'll be taken on a guided tour of caves that have been 250 million years in the making!
Photo Credit Rob Crenson Photography
Shasta Lake
Spend the rest of the day exploring Shasta Lake! Go to Shasta Dam and check out their free tours, or rent a boat and spend the rest of the day on the water. If you prefer to spend your time at the lake with a fishing pole in hand, the bass fishing at Shasta Lake is second to none, and local guide companies like The Fly Shop can get you situated with everything you need to make your next big catch!
Photo Credit Rob Crenson Photography
