19 Best Things to Do in Redding, CA

By VI Staff on May 20, 2020

Surrounded by majestic mountains, dense forests, winding rivers and streams, and a plethora of state and national parks, Redding is an outdoor-lover’s paradise. Cradled by Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen in Northern California, Redding enjoys more than 300 days of sun throughout the year and offers a wealth of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as hiking and mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, camping, paddleboarding, and sailing. The town also provides an array of cultural and historical interests, such as the Sundial Bridge, which spans the Sacramento River, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, which is home to an arboretum, botanical garden, and a museum, and Shasta State Historic Park with its ruins of an 1800s gold rush mining town.

1.Eaton House Museum

The Eaton House Museum, also known as the Behrens-Eaton House, is set in a Victorian-style turn of the century home on West Street in Redding. Built in 1895 by John Scott and purchased by Sheriff of Shasta County and former judge Charles Behrens, the Eaton House Museum was turned into a museum in 2003 to celebrate the Victorian age through exhibits of Victorian furniture and housewares, war artifacts, and antique books in 2003. The museum also features displays of artifacts, letters, illustrations, photographs, papers, and historical books as well as historical data and pictures. The Eaton House Museum is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

1520 West St, Redding, CA 96001, Phone: 530-241-3454

2.Lake Shasta Caverns National Natural Landmark

The Lake Shasta Caverns National Natural Landmark is a network of caverns that were formed more than 250 million years ago, located near the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake. Formerly known as Baird Cave and Chalk Cave, the Lake Shasta Caverns are located deep inside the McCloud Limestone Mountain Range and feature a variety of alluring, exquisite, and mysterious rock formations. Surrounded by 400 miles of lake shoreline and beautiful untouched terrain, the entrance to the caverns lies 850 feet above the emerald green waters of the lake and boasts a bird’s eye view of the lake and breathtaking vistas of the native mountain ranges.

20359 Shasta Caverns Rd, Lakehead, CA 96051, Phone: 800-795-2283

3.Sacramento River Trail

Winding almost 10 miles along the banks of the beautiful Sacramento River, the Sacramento River Trail is a popular multi-purpose paved trail that is used for walking, running, hiking, bicycle riding, and rollerblading. The scenic Sacramento River Trail can be accessed from Caldwell Park, Hilltop Drive, and the beautiful Sundial Bridge and there are drinking fountains and clean restrooms available along the trail. The trail links to the beautiful glass Sundial Bridge, which is located at the east end of the trail, and features a relatively flat loop with shady areas on the south side of the river, which links to Keswick Dam.

Caldwell Park, Hilltop Drive, Redding, CA 96002

4.Shasta State Historic Park

Shasta State Historic Park features a variety of historical buildings, items, and artifacts that tell the story of the lusty "Queen City" of California’s northern mining district that once stood on the site. Located 6 miles west of Redding, the park is home to the eloquent vestiges of what was once a bustling center during the California gold rush, such as a row of old brick buildings, cottages, cemeteries, and roads. The county courthouse has been restored to its former 1861 appearance and is filled an unparalleled collection of historical California artworks and exhibits. Shasta State Historic Park is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Thursday through Sunday.

15312 Highway 299 West, Shasta, CA 96087, Phone: 530-243-8194

5.Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Turtle Bay Exploration Park is a 300-acre reserve that features a museum, an arboretum and botanical gardens, a forestry and wildlife center, and the Sundial Bridge. The Turtle Bay Museum is home to an array of permanent and temporary exhibits documenting the cultural and natural history, art, and science of the region, including an underwater aquarium-style viewing tank, hands-on science displays, artworks, and a recreation of a Native American bark house. The McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, also known as the Redding Arboretum, features 300 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens that include Mediterranean climate gardens, southern and western Australian gardens, a children's garden, butterfly garden, and various specialty gardens. Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp is an educational exploration center modeled after an ancient forest camp.

844 Sundial Bridge Dr, Redding, CA 96003, Phone: 530-243-8850

6.Whiskeytown Lake

Located about 8 miles west of Redding, Whiskeytown Lake is a reservoir in northwestern California’s Shasta County in the Whiskeytown Unit of the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area. Formed by the Whiskeytown Dam on Clear Creek, Whiskeytown Lake offers an array of outdoor and recreational activities, such as swimming, sailing, boating fishing, waterskiing, hiking, and camping. The lake provides excellent fishing with an abundance of kokanee salmon, largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, and rainbow and brown trout, and there are plenty of birding and wildlife watching opportunities around the lake.

Shasta County, California

7.Wildcard Brewing Company

Wildcard Brewing Company is small brewery that produces a variety of beers on tap, including American IPA and lagers, amber ales, and creamy ales. Located on Crossroads Drive, the brewery has a tasting room where visitors can taste some of the brewery’s best beers in a casual atmosphere, and it is open Tuesday through Saturday in the afternoons and evenings. The Wildcard Brewing Company tasting room hosts a variety of events throughout the year, ranging from Food Truck Fridays and Wednesday's Midweek Madness to brewhouse tours on Saturdays.

9565 Crossroads Drive, Redding, CA 96003, Phone: 530-722-9239

8.Win-River Resort and Casino

Conveniently located just a short drive from Redding, the Win-River Resort and Casino offers deluxe accommodations, upscale amenities and facilities, casual restaurants, and a wealth of entertainment. The resort features stylish guest rooms and suites with en suite bathrooms and spacious living areas, and upscale facilities include an exclusive spa and wellness center, a heated outdoor swimming pool, several restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and complimentary access to a fully equipped fitness center. The casino offers bingo, slot machines, roulette, table games, and a private poker room, and guests can enjoy a round of golf at the River Tasalmi Golf Course a few miles away.

2100 Redding Rancheria Rd, Redding, CA 96001, Phone: 530-243-3377

9.Coffee Bar

The Coffee Bar is a motorcycle-themed coffee bar with a chilled-out vibe that echoes the tradition of the Ace Café in London. Celebrating the motorcycle and café culture of past and present, the Coffee Shop serves some of the most famous coffees from around the world, including Giesen-roasted beans from the Netherlands and Italian La Marzocco Strada handcrafted espressos. A small menu of freshly baked treats and snacks is available, and there is a store offering motorcycle-related merchandise including clothing, posters, stickers, pins, and coffee beans.

2085 Pine St A, Redding, CA 96001

10.Fun Factory Snowmobile Tour

Fun Factory is an adventure company that offers guided and self-guided tours of Northern California as well as snowmobile rentals from Deer Mountain Snowmobile Park. Tours explore the winter wonderland of Northern California’s valleys, vistas, and volcanoes, including Mount Shasta, and the Klamath, Modoc, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests. The Fun Factory snowmobile tours include an experienced guide, who leads riders through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the state, and safety equipment such as Snell-approved helmets. Fun Factory Snowmobile rentals also offer the fun and informational Snowmobile 101 training class for guests to enjoy self-guided tours.

Phone: 530-925-1465

11.Headwaters Adventure Company

Headwaters Adventure Company provides kayak and standup paddleboard rentals and sales as well as excursions and expeditions through the magnificent landscapes of Northern California. Paddlers can experience the beauty and splendor of the North State and breathtaking views of Mount Shasta, Mount Lassen, and the Trinity Alps on a tranquil and serene paddling or kayaking experience. Guests can join an adventure paddling group called the Shasta Paddlers on various excursions and day trips, rent kayaks or standup paddleboards to enjoy their adventures, or take lessons and training courses for all levels of paddler.

930 Merchant St #1, Redding, CA 96002, Phone: 530-223-2411

12.Jack's Grill

Jack’s Grill is a dining institution in Redding that serves a refined menu of fresh seafood, prime steaks, fresh salads, and signature cocktails in an elegant and sophisticated setting. Boasting 1930s decor and soft lighting, the restaurant features old-style booths and tables and a full-service bar with bar stools and has been serving second and third generations of families who have been coming to Jack’s for years. Signature items on the menu include classic steaks, fresh seafood platters, jumbo shrimps, Southern fried chicken, and deep-fried scallops along with freshly prepared salads and a selection of fine wines from the cellar.

1743 California St, Redding, CA 96001, Phone: 530-241-9705

13.Shasta Dam Tour

The Shasta Dam, also called the Kennett Dam, is a concrete arch-gravity dam located at the north end of the Sacramento Valley. Spanning the Sacramento River, the reservoir stands at 602 feet high, making it the eighth tallest dam in the country, and is the most significant reservoir in the state. Constructed for hydroelectricity, flood control, and long-term water storage, the dam was considered one of the greatest engineering feats of all time. Today, the dam and the power plant can be explored on guided tours led by friendly and knowledgeable staff who discuss the history, purpose, and construction of this enormous project.

16349 Shasta Dam Blvd, Shasta Lake, CA 96019, Phone: 530-275-4463

14.Shasta Rock Club

The Shasta Rock Club is a climbing gym in Redding that offers rock climbing enthusiasts and professional climbers a unique and challenging rock climbing experience. Redding's first and only indoor rock climbing gym, the Shasta Rock Club provides a wealth of rock-climbing based experiences, from instruction and lessons for beginner climbers to challenging routes for advanced climbers, outdoor trips, and fitness classes. The club also offers an after-school climbing club and high school climbing team practices, summer camps, and climbing competitions and is available for private events such as celebrations and team-building activities.

2325 Athens Ave, Redding, CA 96001, Phone: 530-691-4505

15.Jetovator

The Jetovator is a water-propelled personal watercraft that propels riders above the water via high-pressure water jets and extends the ability of existing personal watercraft (PWC). The Jetovator requires two people to operate – a rider on the Jetovator to control the height and the direction of the Jetovator and a rider on the PWC controlling the throttle of the engine. Visitors can rent the Jetovator for high-powered water rides at the Bridge Bay Resort on Shasta Lake, and a variety of options are available for individuals and groups.

20201 Charlanne Dr, Redding, CA 96002, Phone: 530-222-4598

16.Jones Valley Houseboats

Jones Valley Houseboats is a houseboat rental company based at the Jones Valley Resort and the Silverthorn Resort, offering a variety of houseboats and watercraft rentals on Shasta Lake, which is also known as the houseboat capital of the world. Renowned as one of the best recreational lakes in the nation, Shasta Lake is a beautiful place for a luxury houseboat vacation on one of the Jones Valley Houseboats. The houseboats can be moored at the marinas of the Jones Valley Resort or the Silverthorn Resort, which also has a fully stocked grocery store, a pro and apparel shop, a fuel dock, private moorage, and a courtesy dock.

Jones Valley: Phone: +1 877-HOUSEBOAT / Silverthorn: Phone: 800-332-3044

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17.Lake Shasta Dinner Cruise

Experience the beauty of Lake Shasta on a romantic Lake Shasta Dinner Cruise. Departing from outside the Lake Shasta Caverns’ Gift Store, Lake Shasta Dinner Cruises sail across multiple arms of Shasta Lake while offering mouth-watering cuisine and outstanding service in an elegant setting. Shasta Lake Dinner Cruises are available twice a week on Friday and Saturday evenings between Memorial Day and the end of September, and the boat can be hired for private functions and special celebrations. A delicious buffet-style menu is served, featuring a variety of international cuisine and a full-service bar with fine wines, imported spirits, and signature cocktails.

20359 Shasta Caverns Rd, Lakehead, CA 96051, Phone: 530-238-2752

18.Redding Jet Boat Tours

Redding Jet Boat Tours offer daily jet boat tours on California's longest river, the Sacramento River. Departing from Redding's famous Sundial Bridge, the only glass bridge of its kind in the country, scenic boat rides are operated in a custom-built, 26-foot jet boat several times a day, seven days a week, and cover 20 miles of the river. Tailormade tours are also available, such as wildlife photography and eco-tours, which take between 3 and 4 hours with enough time to take photographs, and corporate team building tours, which provide a wealth of fun.

Redding, CA 96002, Phone: 800-670-4448

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19.River Romance Cruises

River Romance Dinner Cruises offers an exclusive romantic dining experience in a beautifully handcrafted sailboat on the Sacramento River. Owned by Todd LeBoeuf, River Romance Cruises takes dining to a new level, with guests enjoying sumptuous cuisine and fine wines while floating on the emerald green waters of the river. Three-hour dinner cruises are available for two or up to seven friends and travel down the Sacramento River, under the magical glass-bottomed Sundial Bridge and past the 300-acre Turtle Bay Exploration Park with its beautiful botanical gardens.

2030 Marlene Court, Redding, CA 96002, Phone: 530-222-2728

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