Family Adventure Awaits: Exploring the Wonders of Redding

Vacationing as a family of six can be a fun and exciting experience! There are many activities within driving distance. Family fun destinations can be easy to choose from depending on your interests and budget. Family-friendly vacation spots include national parks, theme parks, beach resorts, cruises, and all-inclusive resorts. We were blessed to be hosted by the Sheraton Sundial Bridge in Redding.

The drive from Folsom to Redding is about 160 miles and took us just under 3 hours. The route we took followed Interstate 5 from Sacramento, passing through towns such as Natomas, Woodland, Williams, and Red Bluff along the way. The scenery is mainly agricultural farmland and rolling hills, with occasional glimpses of the Sacramento River.

A road trip with kids can be an adventure that they’ll never forget! When planning a road trip, it’s important to make sure everyone in the family is involved in the choice of destination and activities. We play a lot of “Eye Spy.” Be sure to include plenty of breaks for restroom stops and meals/snacks so that everyone stays happy and comfortable during the journey, no matter how short or long.

Staying in a hotel with kids can be a fun and memorable experience! When making your reservation, be sure to ask about family-friendly amenities like pools, kitchens, or play areas. Also ask about special rates for kids and discounts for certain activities. To make your stay more enjoyable, bring some of the comforts of home like favorite toys, books, or snacks. Make sure to research the kid-friendly attractions nearby so that the whole family can enjoy their vacation. The staff at the Sheraton Sundial Bridge was so inviting and helpful during our check in, our stay, and our check out. Our room was beautiful and accommodating. We loved being on the bottom floor with patio access, this allowed for our boys to run out on the lawn and play football. Another nice thing about the room on the bottom floor, was that we could walk right out of our room, right to the fire pit and enjoy some relaxing adult time.

Breakfast in a hotel can make your stay more enjoyable and convenient. Make sure you book a “club lounge” room so you receive complementary breakfast, midday snacks, Starbucks coffee, tea, and an evening reception with wine and beer. Always be sure to inquire about the breakfast options when booking a stay at any hotel.

The Sheraton Sundial Bridge in Redding, CA is right off Interstate 5. The Sundial Bridge is walking distance from the hotel and is a cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge for pedestrians that spans the Sacramento River. It was completed in 2004 and was designed by the Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava. The bridge features a granite sundial that allows visitors to tell time from shadows cast on the deck. The bridge is part of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park. All of this fun is walking distance from the Sheraton.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park is an arboretum, nature park (with a zip line), museum, and trails with a focus on environmental education. The park also offers several interactive exhibits, including a bird aviary and an animal sanctuary. Our kids enjoyed exploring the indoor cave, watching fish in the saltwater tanks, learning about the watershed, playing in the Wintu Bark House, and the Forrest Camp where they made friends with a raccoon. Check their event calendar for fun events like 2nd Saturday family painting, science Saturdays, discovery camps and animal parades.

Note: the museum is closed on Monday’s and Tuesday’s. Prices range from $14 – $18 per person.

Mosaic Restaurant is a restaurant, next to the Sheraton that specializes in modern American fare. The menu features a variety of dishes including sandwiches, salads, pizzas, burgers, and more. It also features a selection of craft beers and wines. The atmosphere is cozy and casual, making it a great spot for a casual lunch or dinner. Mosaic offers outdoor seating where guests can enjoy the beautiful views of the Sacramento River. Our kids loved the brick oven pizza, my husband liked the lamb, and I enjoyed the Brussel sprouts.

If you have some extra time to explore, drive from Redding to Mt. Shasta is a scenic one that takes around 1.5 hours. You will pass through rural landscapes of golden hills, wide open spaces, caverns, and winding roads. Along the way you will pass by the towns of Anderson, Cottonwood, and Shasta Lake before arriving at the stunning Mt. Shasta. On a clear day, you will have breathtaking views of this majestic peak from miles away.

More Information: Mt. Shasta is a volcano that is part of the Cascade Range of volcanic mountains. It is one of the most iconic peaks in the range, standing at over 14,000 feet. It has been an important spiritual site for Native American tribes for centuries. In the 19th century, it became a popular destination for adventurers and mountain climbers. Today, it is a popular tourist destination, offering hiking trails, camping, and skiing.

The Garden of Lights in Redding is an annual (November – January) winter event that celebrates the holiday season. There are over one million lights, holiday music, gifts, food trucks, fire pits with S’Mores, and even Santa’s reindeer! Our kids have lasting memories walking through the winding paths through the 10 acres of illumination. Tickets can be purchased online ranging from $15 – $22).