Redding, CA is a great place to visit and here is why...

So you have decided to take your family on a vacation getaway and Redding, CA has come up on your radar. Whether you are just passing thru or planning to stay a while, there are actually some pretty cool things to see and some fun things to be involved in or watch while in Redding.

Before we get into the events, we need to address an important thing to know: where to eat! Follow this link for places to eat in Redding.

Every year, Redding has some big events that attract a lot of attention from around the western states. The two largest events are Kool April Nites and Big Bike Weekend.

Kool April Nites this year is being held from April 2-9, 2006. This is an exciting event that attract classic car owners and lovers from the surrounding western states. Every year this event grows and always floods the city with classic cars and thousands of enthusiasts. Throughout the week, classic cars are put on display along with vendors selling their wares. Many of these are at the Redding Convention Center which can be found by doing a quick Mapquest search. The zip code is 96001. The highlight of the week is the cruise on Friday night, when many of the vehicles cruise up and down a loop of city streets. This is an event that little boys, and big boys too have a lot of fun at. If you want more information on this event you can click here. The next big event takes place October 13-15, 2006. The Big Bike Weekend is a gathering of thousands of "big bikes" i.e. Harley Davidsons, Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis, Triump, and Victory. This year is sure to be even better than ever because the event has partnered with Roadshows Entertainment.If your family is into motorcycles, this is an event you don't want to miss! There are plenty of vendors and bikes on display so bring your cameras and ear plugs and enjoy yourselves. One of the highlights of this weekend are the precision drill team and stunt riders performing for audiences. Like Kool April Nites, Big Bike Weekend has a big cruise on Friday night that is sure to thrill and entertain.

Another popular thing to take your family to is the Sundial Bridge.

As you can see by the picture, Sundial bridge is rather unique. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, this bridge is the only one of its kind in the United States. This Sundial bridge is a part of Turtle Bay and serves as a entranceway into the Sacramento River Trail System. The deck of the bridge consists of 200 tons of glass and granite, suspended by over 4,300 feet of cable. When the bridge was designed, Calatrava was careful to keep the pylon and cable stays on land and air, allowing the nearby salmon spawning habitat to remain undisturbed. The total cost of the bridge was in excess of $23 million. If you plan to take your family to view this beautiful piece of art, try to see it at dusk. Dusk provides the best viewing of the bridge being lit up, but also enables you to see the surrounding mountains.