Where To Play, Eat, and Stay in Redding, California’s Sunniest City

03.01.2024 - 12:57 / matadornetwork.com / Art

When you think of an adrenaline-pumping, outdoor lover’s dream destination, you probably don’t think of Redding, California — but you should. In Northern California, just south of the Oregon border, Redding is an up-and-coming outdoors destination that’s quickly becoming known for having endless places to hike, bike, kayak, and fish — and that’s just when the weather’s warm.

Known as California’s sunniest city, Redding experiences over 300 sunny days a year. The climate is dry and mild for most of the year. During the summer months, temperatures can swell to over 100 degrees, but the heat doesn’t stop the local community from getting outside and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Visitors might spend the day on the Sacramento River, hiking, or mountain biking when the sun is shining. During winter, layer up and try sports like skiing at Mount Shasta or snowshoeing at Lassen National Park.

From all things outdoors to where to fuel up and rest your head when you visit, these are the best things to do in Redding.

Photo: Michelle Steinhardt

Air Shasta offers tailor-made helicopter tours highlighting some of Redding’s best attractions. Watching the stunning scenery unfold before you from the air is like opening a new present every few minutes. A tour may include views of iconic attractions such as the Sundial Bridge, the winding Sacramento River, the Shasta Bally mountain, and the famous three Shastas (Mount Shasta, Shasta Dam, and Lake Shasta).

The highlights tour is just one of many options for those eager to see Redding from an aerial perspective. Air Shasta can also create custom tours, such as heli-hiking to the Trinity Alps an hour northwest of Redding.

Air Shasta: 3770 Flight Ave, Redding, CA 96002

Photo: Redding Bikeshare/Shasta Living Streets

Downtown Redding created a bike-friendly environment with dedicated bike lanes that provide e-bike access to disadvantaged groups while encouraging tourism. As a result, the Redding bike culture is thriving, all while reducing carbon emissions.

Visitors can take a leisurely guided e-bike tour with Shasta Living Streets along the Sacramento River, up to Shasta Dam, or customize their own tour. To encourage the use of bikes in the area, the Bike Depot, a gathering place with a restaurant, art murals by Mona Caron, and bike maintenance stations, is set to open in 2024.

Shasta Living Streets: 1313 California Street Redding, CA 96001

Photo: Visit Redding

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is a massive area that’s part of the National Park Service and has 70 miles of trails, four waterfalls, a visitor’s center, and a lake large enough for sailing. The City of Redding intentionally flooded Whiskeytown in 1962 after completing the Whiskeytown Dam. As a result,