Fire and Spire, a nearby grass fire provides an interesting backdrop to the Sundial Bridge
Credit: Sharon Svitak | ©Sharon Svitak
220 miles northeast of San Francisco on Interstate 5, Redding, California, is a modest community with a population between 80,000 and 90,000. Situated on the Sacramento River, once Redding's only claim to fame was high summer temperatures and being the county seat of Shasta County. Mention the city's name to those who had traveled through Redding in the old days and the first comments you would receive would be someone's recollection of being there in summer and how hot the temperatures were.
Today, however, if you mention Redding to someone who has been there recently you can expect to receive a comment about the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay. If you haven't been there you should make an opportunity to go.
Functionally, the structure is a 700 foot long pedestrian bridge across the Sacramento River connecting the Turtle Bay Exploration Park with the Sacramento River Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail of which there are over 1,000 in all 50 states.
Aesthetically the bridge is so much more. Designed by world famous architect and engineer, Santiago Calatrava, The Sundial Bridge is supported by a soaring 217 foot pylon anchored on the north side of the Sacramento River. On June 21, summer solstice, the sundial at the base of the pylon is accurate. Because the constraints the bridge required, other days of the year the shadow moves around the dial but provides only an approximation of time.
The decking across the river is aqua green opaque glass. (The deck becomes extremely hot during the summer, so do not allow children or pets to cross barefooted.) Looking down through the deck which is supported by 4,342 feet of galvanized steel cable stretched like harp strings you can barely perceive the river moving below you. Looking over the side, however, you can enjoy the vista of the river flowing south and west from headwaters on Mount Shasta 447 miles to the Sacramento River delta and eventually into San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
One of the best things is the Sundial Bridge is free to pedestrians, pets, and slow moving bicycles.
Today, however, if you mention Redding to someone who has been there recently you can expect to receive a comment about the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay. If you haven't been there you should make an opportunity to go.
Functionally, the structure is a 700 foot long pedestrian bridge across the Sacramento River connecting the Turtle Bay Exploration Park with the Sacramento River Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail of which there are over 1,000 in all 50 states.
Aesthetically the bridge is so much more. Designed by world famous architect and engineer, Santiago Calatrava, The Sundial Bridge is supported by a soaring 217 foot pylon anchored on the north side of the Sacramento River. On June 21, summer solstice, the sundial at the base of the pylon is accurate. Because the constraints the bridge required, other days of the year the shadow moves around the dial but provides only an approximation of time.
The decking across the river is aqua green opaque glass. (The deck becomes extremely hot during the summer, so do not allow children or pets to cross barefooted.) Looking down through the deck which is supported by 4,342 feet of galvanized steel cable stretched like harp strings you can barely perceive the river moving below you. Looking over the side, however, you can enjoy the vista of the river flowing south and west from headwaters on Mount Shasta 447 miles to the Sacramento River delta and eventually into San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
One of the best things is the Sundial Bridge is free to pedestrians, pets, and slow moving bicycles.
- Fun for families and singles
- Low or no cost
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