If you’re heading to Northern California for an outdoorsy escape Redding may not be on your radar, but it should be. There’s adventure, there’s natural beauty and there’s wine tasting. I’m all in. And here’s a warning: it may just become your next favorite weekend getaway.
Here’s my guide for the best things to do in Redding for one unforgettable weekend.
Day 1 Redding Itinerary
7:30 AM: Start Your Day at Evergreen Coffee
Kick off your morning at Evergreen Coffee, a trendy café that’s a local favorite. As the storefront for Feast Coffee Roasters, this café is all about seasonal, locally-sourced goodness. I quickly became obsessed with their Persian Avo Toast—it’s a dreamy combo of herby avocado mash, house-made cucumber salsa, creamy feta, and juicy pomegranate seeds.
And if you’re there on a Sunday, you have to experience what the locals call “Waffle Church”—this $5 waffle special draws a huge crowd. Plus, don’t leave without snagging some of their artisanal chocolate to-go!
If you’re looking for a quick and healthy alternative to your morning coffee stop at Evergreen, Roots is where it’s at. Their smoothies, juices, and açaí bowls are so good, plus you’ll feel like you’re treating yourself and doing something good for your body.
I’m a total smoothie addict and tried the cacao one with coconut milk, frozen blueberries, banana, cashews, cacao powder, coffee beans, coconut shavings, honey, and cinnamon—then added an avocado boost because why not? It was absolutely delicious.
9:00 AM: Take the Shasta Dam Tour
Get ready to be totally wowed at Shasta Dam, an engineering marvel and one of the world’s largest concrete structures towering 602 feet above the Sacramento River. The best part? The 1.5–2-hour tour is completely free—no tickets, no tips, just pure fascination. You’ll start with a short, informative film about the dam’s history, then stroll across the crest for incredible views, and finally head inside to see its massive inner workings up close. It’s seriously impressive!
Here’s a fun tip to make your visit extra memorable: ask your guide where to stand for the perfect echo spot—the delay on the echo is insane.
12:00 PM: Explore Lake Shasta Caverns
If you’re building your adventure bucket list, don’t miss exploring the depths of the Lake Shasta Caverns. Your two-hour tour kicks off with a boat ride across Lake Shasta’s sparkling waters, followed by a mountain bus ride to the entrance of the cavern.
Once inside the ancient limestone caves, you’ll be blown away by the stalactites and stalagmites that have been forming at just one inch every 100 years. Sure, there are 612 stairs to tackle, but the rock formations are more than worth the climb (just consider it leg-day at the gym!). Plus, the caves’ constant 58-degree temperature makes it a refreshing break.
2:15 PM: Grab a Late Lunch at Pipeline
After a morning of adventuring, head to lunch at Pipeline in downtown Redding. Located in the Shasta Bike Depot, this local favorite is serving up serious flavor with dishes that’ll have you planning your next visit before you even leave.
The Duck Fat Fries? Game-changing. They’re crispy, rich, and basically the fries all other fries aspire to be. My personal obsession? The Seared Ahi Bowl—it was so good I ordered it twice (and I’d do it again). If you’re a wings fan, theirs are totally drool-worthy, and those burgers you’ll see on almost every table? Let’s just say they’re there for a reason.
3:30 PM: Visit Turtle Bay Exploration Park
Turtle Bay Exploration Park is 300 acres of fun and discovery along the Sacramento River—you’ll find so much to explore here. This isn’t just any park; it’s packed with botanical gardens, a wildlife center full of fascinating creatures, and a museum with exhibits covering everything from local history to science and art.
If you’re an animal lover like me, spring for one of the animal encounters (it’s totally worth it). I had the chance to meet Timber, their ridiculously cute 8-year-old beaver, and he completely stole my heart—be sure to say hi to him for me!
The park also includes the iconic Sundial Bridge. It isn’t just a pretty pedestrian bridge—it also connects you to the 25-acre McConnell Arboretum & Gardens, a gorgeous spot to wander and soak in nature. And don’t forget to snap some photos on the Sundial Bridge, one of the largest working sundials in the world.
4:45 PM: Shop & Stroll Downtown Redding
Stroll the downtown streets that are scattered with colorful murals that add so much character to the area, and don’t miss the hand-painted electrical boxes—local artists have turned them into mini art installations, each one totally unique.
If shopping’s on your agenda, you’ll love places like Carousel boutique, where I scored the cutest necklace that I’ve been wearing nonstop, or Old 44 Vintage that has clothing that tells a story. Plus, be sure to stop by Wild Oaks Apothecary who specializes in plants that have been turned into healing remedies and The Pretty Thistle Boutique for some cute clothes.
6:15 PM: Do a Pre-Dinner Wine Tasting (or Two)
Before dinner, wind down with a wine tasting. Moseley Family Cellars and New Clairvaux Vineyard are located across the street from each other, so you can easily visit both. Start at Moseley Family Cellars for their incredible selection, then hop over to New Clairvaux where their Primitivo was my personal obsession. The best part? You can easily experience both without moving your car – now that’s what I call efficient wine tasting!
*Of course if you like to savor your wine, just pick one. You can always hit up the other one the next night.
7:45 PM: Dinner at Paradisio
For dinner, head to Paradisio, where Chef Mike Hallead is serving up elevated comfort food that locals and visitors rave about. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just treating yourself to an amazing meal, this spot hits all the right notes. I opted for the tofu curry, which packed just the right amount of spice—warm, comforting, and completely satisfying. But, I’ve got to be honest, watching those elk burgers go by had me experiencing some serious food envy.
9:00 PM: End with Ice Cream at Taste & See Creamery
No perfect day is complete without dessert, and Taste & See Creamery delivers in every way. Their Nutella Bonfire S’more ice cream is a must-try, but their seasonal flavors—like pumpkin spice with ginger snaps—are equally amazing. The unique flavors rotate with the seasons, which basically means you have the perfect excuse to keep coming back for more!
Day 2 Redding Itinerary
8:00 AM: Coffee and Pastries: Theory Coffee Roasters
Rise and shine, because we’re kicking off day two at Theory Coffee Roasters, and let me just say that this isn’t just another coffee shop. They’re all about prioritizing ethically sourced beans and scratch-made baked goods from Eden Bakery. The cafe cultivates relationships with local businesses and neighbors, aiming to improve Redding one cup at a time. They have great pastries but their chia pudding was my favorite.
9:30 AM: Hike the Crystal Creek Falls Trail
If you’re looking for a hike with the perfect blend of wow factor, without the “why am I doing this to myself” factor, Crystal Creek Falls Trail is a great choice. This easy 0.7-mile out-and-back paved trail is well-maintained, with plenty of spots to stop and take in the scenery along the way. But, of course, the grand finale is the two-tier cascade itself. It can easily be viewed from the pavement or take the trail that leads down to the base.
*PS: this waterfall is wheelchair accessible and can easily be viewed from the pavement or take the trail that leads down to the base.
Whiskeytown Falls: For those who are looking for a longer (and more strenuous hike), Whiskeytown Falls Trail is the perfect backup plan. The 2.6 mile hike will make your quads burn, but you’ll forget all about it when you see this 220-foot cascading beauty.
11:00 AM: Explore Shasta State Historic Park
Just six miles west of Redding, Shasta State Historic Park is like stepping straight into California’s gold rush past. The park is full of half-ruined brick buildings that whisper stories of the once-thriving “Queen City” of California’s northern mining district. And let me tell you, this place is shockingly well-preserved. Those old iron shutters? They still creak open on their original hinges, making it feel like history is alive and kicking.
The real showstopper, though, is the restored County Courthouse. It looks like it’s been frozen in time since 1861 and now serves as a museum packed with gold rush treasures. Inside, the courtroom is decked out with authentic period furnishings, and there’s even a historic jail you can walk through. Speaking of the jail—standing in that dim, claustrophobic space gave me the creeps! I couldn’t stop imagining what it must have felt like for someone locked up in there back in the day.
The museum also features an impressive collection of California artwork spanning a century, adding a cultural twist to the historical experience.
1:00 PM: Grab Lunch at Mosaic
Near the Sheraton and Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Mosaic is perfectly situated for a delicious meal in between exploring Redding’s highlights. This spot is going to impress you with their California-inspired small plates that are almost too good to share (but you probably should).
Here’s what you need to try: crispy Brussels sprouts drizzled with lemon marmalade and topped with spiced pecans—this trendy veggie steals the show. Then there’s the whipped feta, which is topped with pistachio and Calabrian chili, served alongside their house focaccia. If you’re craving something heartier, I loved the king salmon with French lentils.
*Mosaic’s modern rustic vibe and flavor-packed menu make it a top choice for more than just lunch, but it’s also a stellar dinner spot to wind down your day too.
2:30 PM: Take a Helicopter Ride Over Shasta
Ready for the ultimate perspective shift? Time to take to the skies via helicopter with AV8 Aviation. I took their one-hour Bally tour and can honestly say that it was the ultimate Redding bucket list adventure.
The flight offered views of the Sacramento River snaking through the landscape, the sleek Sundial Bridge, a glimpse of Mount Shasta and the impressive Shasta Dam. But the real star? Rising over 6,200 feet to fly over the snowcapped Shasta Bally’s rugged summit. Wow!
4:30 PM: Play Aqua Golf
After your epic helicopter ride, Aqua Golf is just the chill adventure you need to wind down. Located right on the Sacramento River, this unique driving range lets you hit golf balls into the water, aiming for floating targets of varying sizes and distances. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer fine-tuning your swing or a complete newbie just having fun, it’s a cheap and entertaining way to have fun.
I rented a couple of clubs and gave it my best effort at trying to hit those targets in the water. Let’s just say that I could use a little more practice.
6:00 PM: Get a Pre-Dinner Beer flight
Beer fans, you’re going to love Final Draft Brewering Company! Since 2017, this downtown Redding brewpub has been serving up 30+ rotating taps of craft beer, hard cider, and hard seltzer, along with a menu full of favorites like burgers, salads, and fish & chips.
From crisp pilsners to hoppy IPAs, smooth porters, and creative seasonal brews, there’s something for every beer fan here. The best part is you can get a “taster” size of several, until you find your perfect brew.
Not a beer person? Their cider and seltzer options have you covered—or you can always head back to one of Redding’s wine tasting rooms for another pour!
7:00 PM: Dinner at Vintage Public House
Cap off your incredible weekend at Vintage Public House, where casual vibes meet delicious bites. This family-owned place offers modern American fare with dishes like crispy, perfectly seasoned Brussels sprouts and a yummy pesto salmon. Pair your meal with one of their rotating craft beers, signature cocktails, or a nice glass of wine (always my choice!).
Where to Stay
Make the The Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge your home base for this weekend getaway. As Redding’s only 4-star hotel, it’s perfectly positioned within walking distance of the Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and so many other must-see spots. It’s also a bonus that Mosaic restaurant is right next door.
For more information on Redding, visit www.visitredding.com.
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