Shasta Dam

Want to make tracks somewhere new with your pup? Upstate California holds many tail-wagging surprises. The city of Redding is the gateway to this big, diverse and largely dog-friendly region. A river runs through it —the Sacramento River, to be exact— and the Sacramento River National Recreation Trail is the place to start exploring. more »

Like to hike? You’re in luck in the Trail Capital of California, as Redding has so aptly branded itself. The city boasts some 80 miles of trails within its city limits and hundreds more within a 20-mile radius of its core.

A heads up: there are still a few trails closed in the Whiskeytown area, but other than annual maintenance, most of the region's trails are open, and most are dog-friendly. You can check the status of your favorite trail by clicking on the link above and viewing the Trail System Overview tab.   more »

Whatever your plans, you’ll want to start with a lingering visit to the Sundial Bridge, a pedestrian span over the Sacramento River designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Its 214-foot, angled iron pylon serves as a gnomon, making it the world’s largest sundial. The bridge is a thing of grace and beauty that’s been pulling cars off the highway since it opened in 2004. Dog-friendly trails hug the river on both sides, and parking is free and plentiful. more »

Redding calls itself California’s Trail Capital, and for good reason: about 100 miles of dog-friendly trails, both paved and natural-surface, have been developed in and around the city through private and public partnerships. Spring is a particularly nice time to take in the views from the Upper Sacramento Ditch Trail, which traces the route of a historic waterworks that once supplied miners’ sluice boxes. Three bridges along the northern part of the path span gorges that gush with waterfalls in springtime and offer arresting views of Shasta Lake and Keswick Reservoir at any time of year.

Never heard of Keswick Reservoir? This river-like body of water stretching nine miles downstream from Shasta Dam is the iconic lake’s frigid, turquoise-blue afterbay. The recently paved and very scenic Sacramento River Rail Trail follows a historic railroad alignment for almost 11 miles along its western shore, offering views aplenty, multiple points of entry and ample opportunity to branch off onto dirt paths leading into the rugged hills. more »

Lace up your hiking boots, load Lucy into the car and get a grip on your leash: you’ll need it when you see how excited she’ll become upon encountering a multitude of new sights and smells in dog-friendly Redding, your gateway to the eight-county Shasta Cascade region. On a clear day, the 13,162-foot, snow-covered cone of Mount Shasta fills the windshield during the 2.5-hour drive up Interstate 5 from Sacramento. It’s a looming landmark and constant reminder that you’re leaving the Central Valley behind and entering the rugged landscapes of the Cascade range. more »

Fall is an optimal time for a scenic-drive vacation, and it would be hard to find more options for leisurely, snout-out-the-window road trips than in the Shasta Cascade region, which boasts a dozen nationally designated scenic byways, each with its own intrinsic qualities. more »

Shasta Dam, the second-largest concrete dam in the United States (after Grand Coulee in Washington) is a wonder to behold, as is Shasta Lake, the largest reservoir in California. If it’s your first trip to Redding, put the pair of them high on your “must-see-and-do” list. The 602-foot-tall dam, begun during the Great Depression and completed during World War II, can be viewed from a vista point on Highway 151, the scenic road leading to the dam from Interstate 5 (exit No. 685). more »

Redding calls itself California’s Trail Capital, and for good reason: about 100 miles of trails, both paved and natural-surface, have been developed in and around the city through private and public partnerships. Fall is a particularly nice time to take in the views from the Upper Sacramento Ditch Trail, which traces the route of a historic waterworks that once supplied miners’ sluice boxes. Three bridges along the northern part of the path span gorges that gush with waterfalls in springtime and offer arresting views of Shasta Lake and Keswick Reservoir at any time of year. more »

Everyone knows dogs have excellent taste in art, so Redding made sure its world-renowned Sundial Bridge was accessible to all species of architecture lovers! more »

Redding calls itself California’s Trail Capital, and for good reason: about 100 miles of trails, both paved and natural-surface, have been developed in and around the city through private and public partnerships. Three bridges along the northern part of the path span gorges that gush with waterfalls in springtime and offer arresting views of Shasta Lake and Keswick Reservoir at any time of year.  more »

Houseboat rentals are available on many Northern California lakes and waterways, but—just as with hotels—not all rental companies welcome dogs, and some that do limit canines to just one or two of their oldest, least desirable boats. Before you get your heart set on that deluxe model with a rooftop hot tub, faux fireplace and big-screen TV, be sure to ask. In competitive markets such as Lake Shasta, you'll find lots of dog-friendly options. more »

Houseboats can be rented from seven marinas on Northern California's largest—and arguably most beautiful—reservoir.

Shasta Lake is the houseboating capital of California, if not the world, and for good reason.

The lake's 360 miles of jagged shoreline are indented with cove after cove where houseboaters can anchor out in solitude or bob in the company of others. more »