Sundial Bridge

Sundialed

Walk or Bike Across the Pedestrian Only Sundial Bridge in Redding

Redding is home to one of the world’s most famous pedestrian-only bridges—the Sundial Bridge was created by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava (its sister bridges are in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Seville, Spain).

The glass-deck bridge is indeed a true sundial, recording four hours of the day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.—and only accurate during the solstice. Its construction over the Sacramento River includes tall pylon and cable stays that allow the bridge to avoid the nearby salmon-spawning habitat while encouraging public appreciation for the river, which weaves through the heart of Redding.

Celebrating its 21st anniversary this year, the Sundial is also the starting point for one of America’s most beautiful car-free bike rides. The Sacramento River Trail is a premier rail trail, following the river upstream for 17 beautiful miles (one-way). It goes all the way to Shasta Dam, but you can go as far as you’d like—there’s no shortage of enjoyment along the entire route.

Riding across the Sundial Bridge you’ll take in the shimmering river and spy waist-deep fly fishers casting for fresh catches.

Mount Shasta is in the distance, and ponderosa pines make the trail fragrant and shaded in sections. There are also two more bridges—the historic concrete Diestelhorst Bridge and the brightly muraled Stress Ribbon Bridge. The big challenge is farther along the trail at “Heartrate Hill” (you’ll know it when you feel it!), a brief but tough section dipping and curving as you head to high rolling in the wilds, with a bird’s-eye view of the river. This climb rewards with a brilliant trifecta vista of the three superb S’s: Lake Shasta, Mount Shasta, and Shasta Dam. Shasta la vista!

BONUS FOOD & DRINK: After your ride … rest, relax, and restore your energy at Branch House Riverfront Bistro, located right at the base of the Sundial. The outdoor patio warms with a fireplace, and the food here is great too. You can also grab dinner just around the corner at the lively and tasty Mosaic Restaurant.

MEET IN REDDING: Have your next group gathering or meeting in sunny Redding.

Discover lodging and deals plus venues, all ready to impress and ensure your group gathering or special event is ideal.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco

    San Francisco's Middle Earth

    No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Hike top Angel Island Mount Livermore San Francisco Bay

    Good Heavens

    The 4-mile hike to the top of Angel Island offers Bay-mazing scenery. Some people claim you get a five-bridge view: Richmond-San Rafael, Bay, Golden Gate, San Mateo-Hayward, and Dumbarton bridges.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Locals' Feature: Jim Litchfield, Owner of Reno Fly Shop

    If there's a river, you're likely to find Jim Litchfield there. As the owner of Reno Fly Shop, Nevada's premier fly fishing outfitter and shop, Jim's passion for rivers knows no bounds: he's fished in places near and far, including Alaska, Bolivia and Christmas Island. But home is beautiful Reno, where he has been running Reno Fly Shop and leading tailored river float and fly fishing adventures (including beginner-friendly options) for over a decade.

    View
  2. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  3. Easiest Best Hike in the World

    Choose the easiest and most view-rewarding hike in Yosemite. Okay, we’ll go first: the combination of hiking to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point. Both of these lookouts are within a couple miles of each other on Glacier Point Road

    View
  4. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View