Sundial Bridge, Redding CA
Redding, CA
Turtle Bay Exploration Park is a fairly new attraction right off I-5 in Redding, CA. (For us, it makes for a good pit stop en route to central or southern CA destinations!) There’s a lot going on at any one time at Turtle Bay. When you first enter the park from the lot, you’ll see the award-winning (pedestrian) Sundial Bridge spanning the Sacramento River. Let the kids run across its glass-bottom surface! The Sacramento River Trail is easily accessable from this point, or you can step inside the museum, which houses both permanent and rotating exhibits on local and natural history.
Outside, in the garden areas and at Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp, educational talks on local animals (and fish feedings) are scheduled daily. Check the program in the museum (or online) to find out what’s offered while you’re there. For a good overview, check out the park map.
Natural history exhibit in the Turtle Bay museum
Date last visited: January 2010
Distance off the interstate: Five minutes
Hours and Admission Prices: Park (and Botanical garden) hours are 9am-5pm daily. (Winter hours are limited; see website for details.) The Cafe at Turtle Bay is open 9am-4pm. Park admission, which includes the museum, Forest Camp and gardens, is as follows:
Adult (13+) $13
Child (4-12) $9
Seniors (65+) $9
Note: Turtle Bay has been criticized for being over-priced, in that there are extra fees for some exhibits. Plan on paying extra for at least one thing if you visit the museum as well as the park area.
Bathrooms: Located in the museum and in the cafe.
Food Services: The Cafe at Turtle Bay offers up soups, sandwiches, wraps, and burgers (and serves a mean latte, too).
Website: http://www.turtlebay.org/
Directions: Take Interstate 5 to Hwy 44/Eureka Exit (678 from south and 678B from north). Take Hwy 44 west to Auditorium Drive (exit 1). Turn right to Turtle Bay Exploration Park, McConnell Arboretum & Gardens, and the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay. The main entrance to the Gardens is across the Sacramento
using the pedestrian Sundial Bridge.
Thanks for writing this up. I will be heading up north and wanted to check out Redding. Didn’t realize they would be charging extra within the exhibit. Sounds odd.