Architecture  -  Bridges

  Redding Dazzles with Expanded Horizons
 

Redding, California --  To plan your Redding vacation, contact the Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association at www.shastacascade.org

Dazzling Redding, the gateway to 600,000-year-old volcanic peaks and the spectacular pedestrian-friendly Sundial Bridge is a destination who's time has come. The largest city between Sacramento and Eugene, Oregon spent more than 10 years and $60 million creating Turtle Bay Exploration Park with its "gotta-see-it-to-believe-it" bridge which tells time by casting shadows. A spire marks the hours of the day on the summer solstice, its shadow moving about a foot each minute.

The beguiling bridge "that invites people to linger by the river, to open their eyes to the water and the sky," according famed architect Santiago Calatrava, captivates curious travelers passing by on Interstate 5 Highway. For those living 700 miles south in the Los Angeles basin, however, it's a race against the clock to get to Redding on a weekend trip, with barely enough time to see the Sundial Bridge—until now. Thanks to Horizon Air's affordable daily flights from LAX to Redding Municipal Airport, Southern Californians suddenly have access to this Northern California paradise with a bridge some predict will become the next great icon, second only to San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.

The unique $23 million Sacramento River bridge and new McConnell Arboretum delightfully showcase what tourists love most about a city surrounded by untouched forests, “sleeping” volcanoes and massive Shasta Dam. Its natural beauty floods the senses with intoxicating fragrances, sights and sounds, making Redding the perfect home base for exploring the Shasta Cascade 'Wonderland' with family, friends or by yourself.

Grab it! Horizon Air offers roundtrip flights (based on availability) from  the LAX to Redding for around $238. You have to book ahead to get this rate so don't hesitate. The new service began in the Spring 2005 and is extremely popular. http://horizonair.alaskaair.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Redding Convention and Visitors Bureau, 777 Auditorium Drive Redding, CA 96001. Phone: 800-874-7562  www.visitredding.org

Shasta Cascade, contact California Welcome Center, Anderson, 1699 Highway 273, Anderson, CA 96007. Telephone: 530-365-1180  www.shastacascade.org

ATTRACTIONS:

Sundial Bridge—The Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay Exposition Park crosses the Sacramento River in the heart of Redding, California. The bridge links the north and south campuses of Turtle Bay Exploration Park and serves as a new downtown entrance for Redding's extensive Sacramento River Trail system. Grand opening: July 4, 2004.  Architect: Santiago Calatrava. Construction: A 217-foot-tall spire anchors 14 cables that bear the bridge's weight, ultimately transferring 3 million pounds of pressure to a single 14-inch ball bearing set atop foundation piers anchored 45 feet deep. Design: A single pylon is tall enough to cantilever 80 percent of the bridge from the north bank of the river. Nonskid, green glass decking allows soft light to fall on the river below. Pedestrian traffic and bicycles are permitted on the bridge. Location: 840 Auditorium Drive Redding, CA 96001. Directions: From 1-5, take State 44 west 1 mile to Auditorium Dr. and go north a block to the park. Cost: Admission is free.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park—Turtle Bay Exploration Park is a 300-acre exploration park on the Sacramento River. Turtle Bay tells the story of the region and its people through wildlife exhibits, gardens, trails, a museum and more. Attractions include McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay, Turtle Bay Museum, Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp, Historical Railroad Exhibits, Monolith, Butterfly House and Café at Turtle Bay. Address:  Turtle Bay Exploration Park, 840 Auditorium Drive Redding, CA 96001 Call: 1-800-TURTLEBAY (1-800-887-8532) or 530-243-8850.turtlebay.org

McConnell Arboretum—The newest addition to Turtle Bay Exploration Park extends over 200 acres and is comprised of 20 acres of Mediterranean climate display gardens, a children's garden, a medicinal garden, and two beautiful and unique water features.  Address:  Turtle Bay Exploration Park, 840 Auditorium Drive Redding, CA 96001 Call: 1-800-TURTLEBAY (1-800-887-8532) or 530-243-8850. turtlebay.org

Lassen Volcanic National Park—with a volcano that last erupted in 1915, you can still see bubbling mud pots and hissing steam vents on the trail to the summit. The two hour moderate trek provides views of a turbulent and fiery past. The park encompasses 165 square miles of the 2,000 square miles of the Lassen National Forest. Mt. Lassen last erupted in 1915. Park attractions include 50 lakes, Lassen Peak (10,457 feet), hot sulphur springs, beautiful waterfalls, and numerous signs of geothermal activity. Park facilities include six campgrounds, picnic areas and cross country skiing. Location: 50 miles (approx.) east of Redding on Highway 44. Automobiles are charged $10 for a 7-day pass with tent camping fees ranging from $10 to 30 per night for individuals and small groups. For reservations call (877) 444-6777. 

Shasta Dam—on the Sacramento River near Redding, California, is the second largest dam in mass in the United States (Grand Coulee on the Columbia River in Washington State is the largest).  Shasta Dam is a curved concrete gravity-type dam with 6.5 million cubic yards of concrete weighing 15 million tons. The dam is 602 feet high. Construction of the dam started in 1938 and ended in 1945. The spillway is 487 feet long--the largest manmade waterfall in the world (three times the height of Niagara Falls). Tours are offered daily. Cameras and videotaping are prohibited on the tour and guests are asked to leave all personal items in their car. The tour lasts 45 minutes, taking visitors down a 174-foot or 43-story elevator out to the spillway area. Inside views of the power plant are included. The Visitor Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact the Shasta Dam Visitor Center at 530-275-4463. 

Shasta Lake—Shasta Lake has the largest commercial houseboat fleet in the world, with more than 400 available for rent. View the three Shastas—Shasta Dam, Shasta Lake, and Mt. Shasta—from a houseboat on spectacular Shasta Lake. Over 370 miles of shoreline await your exploration. Majestic mountains and towering evergreens make for memorable vacations and vacation pictures. Shasta Marina Resort Call Toll Free 1-800-959-3359 www.shastalake.net or Houseboats.com. Phone: 877-HOUSEBOAT (877-468-7326)

Shasta State Historic Park—six miles west of Redding on Highway 299, the park features a museum with relics from the 1840s gold rush era, including one of the finest collections of early California paintings. Located in Shasta City, the northern gold mining district of the California Gold Rush, ruins, cottages, cemeteries and well-preserved red brick buildings of this 1800s community include a general store and a courthouse, complete with a jail where three men were hanged from the gallows. The County Courthouse is restored to its 1861 appearance, the year it was converted to Shasta County Courthouse. Today the building is filled with historical exhibits, and an unparalleled collection of historic California Artwork that make it the central figure of Shasta State Historic Park. Courthouse Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sundays, closed Monday and Tuesday. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.  Recorded Message: 530-243-8194.

Whiskeytown Lake—Whiskeytown Lake provides 36 miles of shoreline and 3,200 surface acres of water, and is excellent for most water-related activities including swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing and scuba diving. Personal Watercraft are prohibited on Whiskeytown Lake but are still allowed on Shasta and Trinity Lakes. Whiskeytown Lake has become a popular area for kayaking, long distance swimming and rowing. Ranger guided programs are offered during the summer months and include free kayak tours! Operated by the National Park Service, there’s great hiking in forests that include extensive trails, sandy beaches, marinas, camping and boating. Auto fee is $5 per day. Mailing address: Whiskeytown NRA, 14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Whiskeytown, CA 96095. Telephone (Headquarters): 530 242-3400 / Visitor Information (Daily 10am - 4pm)  Telephone: 530 246-1225. 

Lake Shasta Caverns— Take a cruise across Shasta Lake, then ride a scenic bus through Grey-Rock Mountain forest to the Cavern Entrance for a guided tour. See spectacular limestone formations inside caves filled with living, calcite crystal formations. Cost: $20 (approx.) Location: 1.5 miles east of I-5 at O'Brien/Lake Shasta Caverns Rd. exit. Open daily. Phone: 800-795-CAVE  lakeshastacaverns.com

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park—With 910 acres of forest and five miles of hiking trails, the park's centerpiece is the 129-foot Burney Falls, where water flows at 100 million gallons every day. The park is within the Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau natural region, created by volcanic activity as well as erosion from weather and streams. This volcanic region is surrounded by mountain peaks and is covered by black volcanic rock, or basalt. Created over a million years ago, the layered, porous basalt retains rainwater and snow melt, which forms a large underground reservoir. Burney Falls was named after pioneer settler Samuel Burney who lived in the area in the 1850s. The McArthurs were pioneer settlers who arrived in the late 1800s. Descendants were responsible for saving the waterfall and nearby land from development. The park is northeast of Redding, six miles north of Highway 299 on Highway 89 near Burney. Cost: Fee charged for entry. Telephone: 530-335-2777.

GREAT FOOD:  Buz's Crab Seafood Market, Restaurant & Deli, one of America's top rated diners, includes fresh fish entrees with quality you'd expect at the finest restaurants. The big surprise at Buz's Crab is the bill. Enjoy a casual, unpretentious atmosphere and pay much less than upscale restaurants serving comparable selections. We tried the fresh Salmon and it was the best we've ever had! Buz's Crab Stand, Seafood Market & Deli. Crab, lobster, and wild Pacific salmon are the highlights of this all-seafood restaurant. Lunch and dinner are served daily. Location: 2159 East St., Redding, CA. Telephone: 530-243-2120. www.buzscrab.com

ACCOMMODATIONS: Oxford Suites features two room suites with two televisions, a small living room, sofa, table and chairs, high speed internet access and a food preparation area with a refrigerator and microwave oven. Expect a neat, comfortable bed, strong shower head and ice machines outside your door. Cocktail receptions daily include two free alcoholic beverages, plus a light breakfast buffet with fruits, cereal and usually something hot. Coffee and tea are available all day in a self serve area. Oxford Suites also offers movie rentals in a small gift shop, a functional exercise room with treadmills and several weight training machines, plus an outdoor heated pool and separate spa. A few yards away at the perimeter of the hotel property are Marie Callenders and Logan's Roadhouse Steaks, Ribs and Spirits. Oxford Suites, 1967 Hilltop Dr., Redding, CA Telephone: 530-221-0100  / 800-762-0133  www.oxfordsuites.com