Sundial Bridge, Redding: Hours, Address, Sundial Bridge Reviews: 4.5/5
Sundial Bridge
Sundial Bridge
4.5
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Scheduled for completion in Summer 2004, this unusually designed bridge, functioning as a sundial at one end and conveying a sense of weightlessness, connects the north and south campuses of Turtle Bay Exploration Park.
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Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
265 within 3 miles
Mosaic
110
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • American • Bar
Thai Cafe
60
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Cafe Pagato
4
0.5 miCafe
Cafe Paradisio
79
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • American • Vegetarian Friendly
deja vu
341
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Cinders Wood Fired Pizza
73
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22
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63
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly
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371
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Steakhouse
Attractions
35 within 6 miles
Turtle Bay Exploration Park
452
0 ftScience Museums • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Riverfront Park
3
0.3 miParks
Sacramento River Trail
283
0.9 miHiking Trails
McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
38
0.7 miGardens
Cascade Theatre
56
0.7 miTheaters
Whiskeytown Lake
271
Bodies of Water
Old City Hall Arts Center
6
0.7 miTheaters
Riverfront Playhouse
17
0.9 miTheaters
Oregon Street Antique Mall
5
0.9 miAntique Shops
Redding Aquatic Center
8
1 miWater Parks
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,492 reviews
Excellent
937
Very good
433
Average
102
Poor
13
Terrible
7
wireless_in_CA
United States4,569 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
This was a functional sundial seamlessly merged together with a glass bridge that spanned the Sacramento River. together they added up to a very beautiful combination.
It was an easy, short walk from the parking lot over a flat surface. Even though it was a large parking lot, it was quite full on the day of our visit.
On this side of the bridge was the Turtle Bay Exploration Park which include a museum and cafe. Restrooms were located here.
The floor of the bridge was constructed of glass and metal that was solid under our feet. What would have been better if the glass wasn’t frosted so we could see the river below.
At the middle of the span, we stopped and had a nice view up and down the river. Unfortunately it was over 102 degF during our visit so we did not linger that long. as we got closer to the sundial itself then we and others stayed in the shade it cast over the bridge.
On this side of the bridge was an arboretum (admission fee dropped into a box) and a trail that followed the river. A walk along the river we was enticing but just too hot to do this time.
It was an easy, short walk from the parking lot over a flat surface. Even though it was a large parking lot, it was quite full on the day of our visit.
On this side of the bridge was the Turtle Bay Exploration Park which include a museum and cafe. Restrooms were located here.
The floor of the bridge was constructed of glass and metal that was solid under our feet. What would have been better if the glass wasn’t frosted so we could see the river below.
At the middle of the span, we stopped and had a nice view up and down the river. Unfortunately it was over 102 degF during our visit so we did not linger that long. as we got closer to the sundial itself then we and others stayed in the shade it cast over the bridge.
On this side of the bridge was an arboretum (admission fee dropped into a box) and a trail that followed the river. A walk along the river we was enticing but just too hot to do this time.
Written July 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Galeda
Kansas City, MO320 contributions
Apr 2022
NOTE: I'm posting this review under both "Sundial Bridge" and "Turtle Bay Exploration Park", since my comments encompass both.
My siblings and I met in Redding for a family reunion, and before heading out to the coast, we spent the morning at Turtle Bay Exploration Park. What a lovely place! Lots of easy-to-walk, well-groomed nature trails; beautiful foliage; stunning fountains and other creative works; and the bridge itself, which is a marvelous work of art as well as architecture. This portion of the Sacramento River is very pretty, and there’s always wildlife to be seen. It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours, walking and seeing the local flora and fauna.
My siblings and I met in Redding for a family reunion, and before heading out to the coast, we spent the morning at Turtle Bay Exploration Park. What a lovely place! Lots of easy-to-walk, well-groomed nature trails; beautiful foliage; stunning fountains and other creative works; and the bridge itself, which is a marvelous work of art as well as architecture. This portion of the Sacramento River is very pretty, and there’s always wildlife to be seen. It’s a great place to spend a couple of hours, walking and seeing the local flora and fauna.
Written May 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nick N
5 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
We have been to this area a few different times now. But this time in particular was my favorite. The weather was warm, in the 70's and there were so many people. Lots of people with friendly dogs, which for me is always fun to see. We were even there into the evening. I was so pleasantly surprised at how many people started showing up after the sun went down. It was just a great time and beautiful with the sunset.
Written March 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
magnoliaeleven
Reno, NV4,562 contributions
Apr 2021
The Sundial bridge is located within the Turtle Bay Exploration Park. There is a museum, forestry & wildlife center, arboretum and botanical gardens.
My wife had read something about the bridge and wanted to see it. She also knows I am into architecture and engineering projects.
We parked in the lot nearby and took the short walk to the bridge which spans the Sacramento River. It is a cable stayed bridge with cables extending from only one side of the bank. It spans the river without any supports in the river, only on each side.
It was a nice evening and the bridge is definitely different and cool looking. It also provides access for people to explore other paths.
The glass floor is frosted and does not provide a "see-through" experience to the river below.
Overall if you are in the area we would recommend you check it out. If time allows you can also explore the trails nearby.
My wife had read something about the bridge and wanted to see it. She also knows I am into architecture and engineering projects.
We parked in the lot nearby and took the short walk to the bridge which spans the Sacramento River. It is a cable stayed bridge with cables extending from only one side of the bank. It spans the river without any supports in the river, only on each side.
It was a nice evening and the bridge is definitely different and cool looking. It also provides access for people to explore other paths.
The glass floor is frosted and does not provide a "see-through" experience to the river below.
Overall if you are in the area we would recommend you check it out. If time allows you can also explore the trails nearby.
Written May 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tour49
The Villages, FL131 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
I’m a big fan of Calatrava’s architecture so loved this. We could have used more time as there are a lot of hiking trails in the area and we just scratched the surface. It did look like the sundial component would work best on June 21.
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Charlie Outlier
Maui, HI34 contributions
Sep 2020
Amazing views from the bridge, cool breeze and fish swimming in the river.
Sundial Bridge spans over the Sacramento River and offers a unique walk across a glass bridge. Plenty of paved walking and bike trails to enjoy and lots of picnic benches with fantastic views.
Sundial Bridge spans over the Sacramento River and offers a unique walk across a glass bridge. Plenty of paved walking and bike trails to enjoy and lots of picnic benches with fantastic views.
Written September 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Miss Rae
Carson City, NV3 contributions
Dec 2019
It certainly is pretty to look at, it is fun to walk and venture along it and the adjoining trails. My little girl and I have made wonderful memories there. There are some issues of the city that can cause a negative reflection of the area ( i.e. homeless, bad elements and such), but it is like that all over places. I love the events that take place there (i.e. lighting the bridge different colors) and have enjoyed photographing it. I personally find spiders to be beautiful and fascinating and love that the bridge provides a place for them. The bridge is pretty, and the nature around it is lovely.
Written March 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Colin Archibald
Kingston, TN4,465 contributions
Aug 2020
Great place to take a walk. The support tower for the bridge cables acts as a sundial, casting a shadow on markers on the ground, just like a sundial. The day we were there it was very hot so the sun was really beating down. The bridge spans the Sacramento River, so you can watch boaters and fishermen from the bridge. The time is accurate on the 21st of June and changes slightly as the sun's angle changes . There are also other activities right next to the bridge, so worth spending a day of it at the Turtle Bay Museum, Park and the Botanical Garden.
Written August 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
WillieMacfan
Healdsburg, CA637 contributions
Aug 2021
The Sundial Bridge is an interesting design. Easy walk over the Sacramento River. On hot summer days try to cross the bridge in the morning or at dusk as it can be very hot in Redding in the afternoons (often 100 degrees plus). There is nearby parking and on each side of the river are other venues to spend some time-McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Garden and the Turtle Bay Exploratory Park.
Written August 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Harold G
14 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
The bridge is definitely one of a kind. Something different to see and do. Unfortunately the weather was 100 degrees plus.
Things to take in with the bridge. The birds nesting under and on the upper part of the sundial part of the bridge. There are spider webs throughout the sides. Nice views of the river. There are places to see through the bridge to the river below where the cables are secured.
The hiking trail was easy, paved, and little places to turn out an explore.
My one suggestion would be to replace some of the opaque glass tiles with clear glass tiles. Then you could get some interesting views and pictures.
I would also take the time to walk through the arboretum just on the other side of the bridge.
Things to take in with the bridge. The birds nesting under and on the upper part of the sundial part of the bridge. There are spider webs throughout the sides. Nice views of the river. There are places to see through the bridge to the river below where the cables are secured.
The hiking trail was easy, paved, and little places to turn out an explore.
My one suggestion would be to replace some of the opaque glass tiles with clear glass tiles. Then you could get some interesting views and pictures.
I would also take the time to walk through the arboretum just on the other side of the bridge.
Written June 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
imagehoundtaz
Redding, CA111 contributions
How can I post a photo of my dog on the Sundial Bridge?
maxona
Fort Walton Beach, FL562 contributions
Assuming you have a picture of your dog on the bridge, go to the section on Trip Advisor where you can review the Sundial Bridge and you can download a picture from your computer/phone. You will see towards the bottom of the review where you can click on to download the picture. If this is what you are asking, hope this helps.
scoooop
Weed, CA
Can I bring my dogs to the park?
Jayme S
California23 contributions
Yes, I saw people walking their dogs. However, be aware that Redding gets very hot! The glass-top bridge temperatures are too hot for dogs feet. (Think of what it would be like to walk barefoot on a hot stove!!!) Please do not take your large dog on days where the temperature is above 85 degrees (the glass gets to be 100+). If you have a smaller dog, they will have to be carried. Whatever you do, DO NOT leave a dog in a hot car for any amount of time!!!!
jeannebeaver
Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay near by?
Ikenstein
Minneapolis, MN7 contributions
Yes there are.
mbeall202
Kelseyville, CA
I'm a little confused, the attraction representative says all four answers are correct then states they are open 7 days a week 9-5. They answers state museum only open wed-spun. Which is it?
Bob K
Redding, CA2 contributions
Sundial Bridge is not part of Turtle Bay Exploration Park. you can walk on the bridge anytime. There is no charge and at night the bridge is lit from under the bridge and the walk area is well lit and patrolled.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sundial Bridge
- Sundial Bridge is open:
- Sun - Sat 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Hotels near Sundial Bridge:
- (0.13 mi) Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge
- (0.74 mi) Americana Modern Hotel
- (0.68 mi) Thunderbird Lodge
- (0.87 mi) Travelodge by Wyndham Redding CA
- (1.23 mi) Oxford Suites Redding
- Restaurants near Sundial Bridge:
- (0.15 mi) Mosaic
- (0.28 mi) Thai Cafe
- (0.80 mi) deja vu
- (0.92 mi) Woody's Brewing Co
- (0.62 mi) Cafe Paradisio