What Redding is known for

The Redding Region is full of many cities and national forests with different activities in which people can participate. At the national forests, things like camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, and wildlife watching are available. There are also various trails for people to go on within the national forests. Apart from the nature-based attractions in the Redding Region, the cities in the general area contain activities of their own. 

The destination derives its name from the town of Redding. Things to do there include Sundial Bridge, Whiskeytown Lake, the Turtle Bay Exploration Park, WaterWorks Park, Fantasy Fountain, and the Cascade Theatre. The Sundial Bridge is lit up with lights at night. At Whiskeytown lake, there are beaches and various activities that people can participate in, such as fishing and canoeing. The Turtle Bay Exploration Park has a museum and a playground and is located near Sundial Bridge. There are exhibits in the museum that involve things like models and statues. There are also interactive things to do at the Turtle Bay Exploration Park. WaterWorks Park has many water slides that involve sitting in a tube. It also has a pool and a couple of slides where people don't have to be in a tube to go down it. Fantasy Fountain is another water park with a large rock in the middle that shoots out water in a fountain style. The water park has multiple jets that shoot water, along with a playground children can play on. Cascade Theatre hosts many shows, most of them being family-friendly. An example of a performance at the theatre is the Wizard of Oz.[2] 

Also in the Redding Region is the city of Red Bluff. In Red Bluff, there is an assortment of activities, such as Gaumer's Jewelry and Museum, the Sacramento River Bend Area, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and California Route 36. At Gaumer's Jewelry and Museum, there are exhibits and a store where people can buy jewelry, along with other things. The museum features exhibits about things like mining and the olden days. The Sacramento River Bend Area has multiple trails and hikes that people can visit. Most of the trails go near the Sacramento River. The Sacred Heart Catholic Church can be viewed and toured, and guests are also welcome to go participate in the church activities. California Route 36 is a famous sign where people can take pictures. There is a place to pull off to the side of the road where people can pause to take a picture of themselves with the sign in the background.[3]

Geography

The Redding Region is located in California. The north end of this destination's area follows the state line between California and Oregon, while the south side goes down past [Ukiah] Orland in the southeast and Laytonville in the southwest. The west side goes along the ocean, of course, and the east end of the border goes in a slightly curved line past the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and Red Bluff [Orland, and Willows]. The destination has many forests and trees, along with Mt. Shasta. It is home to many national forests, including Klamath National Forest, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, and the northern part of Mendocino National Forest. Cities within the region include Redding, Red Bluff, Covelo, Fortuna, Klamath, and Hayfork. 

Weather in the Redding Region is relatively moderate compared to other areas, with a high temperature of around 97 degrees Fahrenheit and with an average low of about 59 degrees. The chance of rain fluctuates during the year. Rain is the most likely to fall in December and is the least likely to fall in August. Snow falls in December in the area and usually gets up to around 3 inches. The best time to visit the destination based on temperate weather conditions is from the middle of April to the end of June or from the beginning of September to the middle of November.[4] 

Animals in the Redding Region include many mammals. Examples of these animals are deer, black bears, mountain lions, otters, badgers, and squirrels. Also in the region are water snakes, which are mostly harmless.[5] Plants in the area include oracle oaks, March lilies, ghetto palms, American aloe, and Shasta daisies.

History

Before European settlers came, the area that would later become Redding was inhabited by the Wintu, which was a Native American tribe. The Wintu tribe had 239 villages in the area. European settlers first came to California in 1542; however, the area where the Wintu tribe lived was untouched for some time. Later, Russian fur trappers started coming to California. It is estimated that when they came, the Wintu tribe was forced out. The first settlement was established by Pierson B. Reading in 1844. He had received a land grant of 26,632 acres, which later became Redding and Cottonwood. During the gold rush, gold was found in the Redding area. 

The area was first called Poverty Flats. A man by the name of Benjamin B. Redding came to Poverty Flats and bought land for the railroad going through the area. When the railroad reached Poverty Flats in 1872, the town of Redding was established. It was officially incorporated in October of 1887. Redding later won the county seat from Shasta in 1888. The population of the town grew when the copper and iron mineral extraction happening near the city but quickly declined when the extraction stopped. Later, when the Shasta Dam was completed in 1945, the population of Redding nearly doubled. Redding continued to grow as a lumber industry was established in the town. Because of the wood provided by the lumber industry, another dam was built, which increased the population further. 

Later, in the 1970s, the lumber industries declined as many of them were beginning to shut down. Most of the lumber industries reopened years later when there was a demand for furniture in the area. Redding adopted a new flag in 2017 after a redesign contest that was held in the city. Later, in 2018 the town was destroyed by the Carr Fire that occurred in the county. Thousands of people were evacuated from the area, and six died.[1]