Redding for You

You may think you’ve checked off all the marquee adventure destinations in the Golden State, but have you been to the outdoors mecca that’s the second sunniest city in the country? Gather your friends, family, or work team, and go experience Redding! Surrounded by the California Cascades—with Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen visible from town—and the Sacramento River flowing right through it, the setting for spectacular scenery can’t be beat as you hike, bike, sightsee, and go on complimentary tours to help keep your adventure budget on track.

Deal Alert: Book a two-night stay on ChooseRedding.com and get a gift card for a restaurant or a local attraction.

Now That’s Dam Interesting!

Who gives a dam about hydroelectric power? Well, all of us, really—but it becomes interesting to the power of 10 when you join a tour of Redding’s architecturally impressive Shasta Dam. Tours are complimentary. And scenic! The 428-foot elevator ride alone is exciting. You’ll explore the inner working of the dam, plus enjoy the surrounding grassy picnic area after the tour. Views from this spot are … dam-tastic, with Shasta Lake shimmering in the foreground and luminous Mount Shasta just behind it.

Deal: Book a 2-night stay at ChooseRedding.com and choose one of 40+ free gift cards to enhance your stay.

Snow-Wonder You Love Lassen!

Just 90 minutes from Redding, Lassen Volcanic National Park is an all-season wonderland offering something special in winter—a dreamy, snowy landscape of beautiful peaks and scenic lakes fit for a postcard—or a holiday card group pic! In Redding there are plenty of places to rent snowshoes before heading to this less-traveled national park. For a quiet and gentle excursion, consider the Manzanita Lake Area—ideal for novices or those just looking to keep it simple yet scenic. Or head to the park’s southwest entrance and stop at the beautiful Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center for tips on the best places to snowshoe or cross-country ski. Here you’ll get the details on trails, difficulty levels, and where to find the premier views.

Deal: Book a 2-night stay at ChooseRedding.com and choose one of 40+ free gift cards to enhance your stay.

Hike, Bike, Both!

There are over 225 miles of trails in Redding. In autumn, huge views are complemented by beautiful fall foliage. And waterfalls run year-round here. Combine fall colors with a waterfall at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. This 42,000-acre wilderness park has four waterfalls, the marquee being the tallest, Whiskeytown Falls (220 feet). It’s 3.5 miles (round-trip) on the James K. Carr Trail, where forest foliage rings out in shades of tan and deep honey.

Hike to a summit without using up a whole day. Redding’s Chamise Peak is 5 miles (round-trip) amid a pine forest with a mix of oaks and manzanitas. At the summit, soak up amazing views of the “famous S’s”: Mount Shasta, Shasta Dam, Shasta Lake, and the Sacramento River.

In fall, Redding’s Sacramento River National Recreation Trail—already named one of the most scenic in California—is extra colorful with surrounding foliage. The multi-use trail goes for 17.4 miles from the Sundial Bridge (one of the largest working sundials in the world!) to historic Shasta Dam, with the river paralleling much of the way. (E-bike rentals are available.)

Mountain and gravel biking trails may be Redding’s best-kept secret, though not for long (the good stuff always gets found out sooner or later!). And there’s no better event to test your riding mettle than the annual Big Foot Challenge. Start training early and get a hairy leg up on the competition. The challenge runs for a full month in spring, with a passport to a number of trails—from gravel to sweet singletrack, with prizes based on how many routes you complete.

The Bigfoot Challenge also has options for hikers, runners, walkers, and—new to the scene—a dog challenge (hey, your furry friend wants some swag, too!).

Find more hiking trails, including at Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Deal: Book a 2-night stay at ChooseRedding.com and choose one of 40+ free gift cards to enhance your stay.