Sundial Bridge

840 Sundial Bridge (Auditorium) Drive
Redding, California 96001
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Local Phone: (800) 887-8532

Sundial Bridge image Redding's iconic Sundial Bridge has been drawing tourists off Interstate 5 since 2004 and generating millions of tourism dollars.

Designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the stunning, 700-foot-long pedestrian span straddling the Sacramento River is an object of beauty and grace. Its 217-foot, angled steel pylon functions as a gnomon, making it in essence the world’s largest sundial. At night, with its 14 white suspension cables set off against a black sky, the assembly resembles a giant harp.

The bridge's $23.5 million cost was underwritten by the locally based McConnell Foundation, which also funded the 200-acre McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens on its far side. The dog-friendly bridge links multipurpose paths on both sides of the river.

Getting there: The bridge is within Turtle Bay Exploration Park, which includes a museum, picnic grounds and other facilities. From Interstate 5 heading north, take Central Redding Exit 678 (Exit 678B heading south) and follow Highway 44 West to the Sundial Bridge (Auditorium) Drive exit (Exit 1). Turn right into Turtle Bay Exploration Park, park and walk a short distance to the bridge.

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First time paws-ing in Redding?

Doggie menu at Mosaic. Photo by Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge.

If you’re new to Redding and the eight-county UpState CA region, start at the Shasta Cascade Welcome Center that’s just down the road in Anderson. Open daily and packed with free maps, brochures, exhibits, geocaching guidance, gifts and even a waterfall pond with wild trout, it's your gateway to the area’s experiences. The DogTrekker team has also outlined a few of our favorite dog-friendly outings for first-time Redding visitors. more »

Choose Redding for new dog-friendly scenery, experiences

Maya resting below Whiskeytown Falls. Photo by Dave Kendrick.

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 »

River, Bridge, Dam and Your Dog - Redding Hikes

Fetch at the Sundial Bridge

Yes, it’s the best known and most popular of Redding trails, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t recommend the Sacramento River National Recreation Trail extending almost 19 miles from the iconic Sundial Bridge to massive Shasta Dam. There are many points of entry. You can hike on the north side of the river (the south portion under repair after fire damage) and maybe take a dip along the way. more »

Redding Family Fare (Dogs Included of Course!)

Sheraton Redding Hotel at Sundial Bridge

Bringing the gang to Redding? Bunk down at a pet-friendly hotel like the Sheraton Redding Hotel at Sundial Bridge. It is on the Sacramento River, adjacent to trails and attractions and makes a great base camp for a family getaway (see other dog-friendly lodging options here). more »

Paw-Friendly ‘Must See’ Redding Attractions

Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay <br/> Photo Credit: @heartbreaker_fluff

Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay
Photo Credit: @heartbreaker_fluff

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 »

Dog-friendly Base Camps in and Around Redding

Check-in at Sheraton Redding Hotel - Photo Credit: @nancydbrown

Redding is an easy, 2.5-hour drive up Interstate 5 from Sacramento, and in March and April you’ll absolutely relish the scenery: landscapes are velvety green, orchards are in full pink-and-white bloom and the weather is just a little bit better than perfect. On a clear day, you’ll see Mount Shasta’s snowy cone from more than 100 miles away. Bunk down in town and take a day to explore close by while you get the lay of the land. more »

Take a Spring Hike Around Redding

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 »

Rush On Up to Redding

Nala celebrating her birthday on the trail - Shasta Dam <br/> Photo Credit: larryvaupel

Nala celebrating her birthday on the trail - Shasta Dam
Photo Credit: larryvaupel

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 »

Rev Up In Redding

The good life, Shasta Lake. Photo Credit: @themurphdawg_

Redding (population about 100,000) is the Shasta Cascade region’s largest city, and it’s a great place to make base camp with your four-legged friend. The “must-do” activities: stroll the iconic Sundial Bridge, wander the Sacramento River National Recreation Trail, walk across the massive dam containing the waters of Shasta Lake, largest reservoir in California. more »

Three Must-See’s For You And Your Dog

Fetch at the Sundial Bridge. Photo Credit: Laurinda Willard

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 »

Take A Fall Hike Around Redding

Photo Credit: Leia Palin

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 »

Visit Redding With Your Dog

Bliss on Sundial Bridge

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 »

Celebrate Sundial Bridge

Obi on the Sundial Bridge. Photo: James Navarro

What a difference a bridge makes! It’s been 10 years since Redding’s Sundial Bridge, designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava, opened to international acclaim. To mark its first decade as an iconic symbol of the region, the city is preparing to celebrate in a big way. more »

Redding Trails

With 100 miles of trails within 10 miles of Redding’s city center, and many more beyond, it’s easy to understand why Redding is considered to be the Trail Capital of California. These trails of varying degrees of difficulty, from easy to rolling hills to moderate climbs, have one thing in common - both you and your pups are welcome. more »

Tails on Trails

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 »

Flower Power

Not all botanical gardens are dog-friendly, but we know some that are—and if you’re into tulips and other early-blooming florals, now’s the time for the two of you to watch spring springing into action. more »

Ruffing It In Redding

Kayla on Sundail Bridge

Kayla on Sundial Bridge Hang onto your leash: You'll need it to steady yourself when you get your first close-up look at Redding’s iconic Sundial Bridge. The stunning pedestrian structure designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava links dog-friendly trails on both sides of the Sacramento River and is a major visitor attraction in this part of the state. Start off with a stroll over the glass-decked span and let Rover splash at the water access points on the far side. more »

A River Runs By It

Water feature at Mcconnell Botanic Gardens

The McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding is overlooked by many visitors to the Shasta Cascade region. After all, the soaring (and dog-friendly) Sundial Bridge over the Sacramento River is Redding’s star attraction. You and Champ won’t want to miss walking over the iconic structure, but neither should you miss the 20 acres of Mediterranean-climate display gardens on the far side. more »

A Bridge for All Seasons

Hang onto your leash: You'll need it to steady yourself when you get your first close-up look at Redding's iconic Sundial Bridge. The stunning pedestrian strand designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava links dog-friendly trails on both sides of the Sacramento River. Start off by exploring the McConnell Arboretum on a 1.2-mile paved loop trail, then duck into the deli at Turtle Bay Exploration Park Museum for takeout to enjoy on the adjacent picnic grounds.

Sundial Bridge

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