10 top spring activities in Redding and Shasta Cascade

10 Top Activities for Spring Revelry in Redding and Shasta Cascade Find Geysers, Lava Tubes, Rock Climbing, Fishing, Waterfalls, Bubbling Mud and Majestic Vistas on Redding and Shasta Cascade’s Lakes, Rivers, Mountains and Trails Redding, CA – April 29, 2015 – In the words of the late, great actor Robin Williams, “Spring is nature’s way of saying ‘let’s party!’” Spring is the perfect time for revelry in Redding and Shasta Cascade, the majestic region of northeastern California filled with mountains, rivers, lakes and all the outdoor activities that accompany this topography. Dubbed the “Gem of the U.S. Trails System” by the San Francisco Chronicle, Redding is an outdoor adventurer’s dream, offering more than 200 miles of hiking, biking, ATV and equestrian trails all within a 15-mile radius of the city center. Kayaking, paddle boarding, boating and fishing happen year round on the waters, and the region is home to abundant mountain and waterfall vistas.

Located just two hours north of Sacramento and three hours northeast of San Francisco, Shasta Cascade’s bustling hub city of Redding is just the starting point for journeys into one of America’s most spectacular and pristine regional destinations. In addition to the miles of trails and plentiful water sources, California’s Shasta Cascade contains seven national forests, eight national and state parks, and several mountain ranges, including the Trinity Alps, the northern Sierra Nevada, and the California Cascade range. Shasta Cascade also boasts two massive glaciated volcanoes: the dormant 14,179 foot Mt. Shasta and the still-active 10,457 foot Lassen Peak.

Here are 10 top activities for revelry while visiting Redding and Shasta Cascade: 1) Trek the Trail Capital of California – Redding is the Trail Capital of California, with over

200 miles of dog-friendly hiking, biking, ATV, and equestrian trails, including the Sacramento River National Recreational Trail. No other California city comes close to challenging Redding. Among the area’s many trails are the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, the Lassen Peak Trail, the Bumpass Hell Trail, the Clikapudi Trail at Shasta Lake, and the Mule Mountain Trail in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Points of interest along the trails include Shasta Dam, the Stress Ribbon pedestrian bridge, and Chamise Peak, which offers 360 degree views of all things Shasta (dam, lake, mountain, and city), and the upper Sacramento River Valley. Find the Redding area trails brochure and its detailed descriptions at the California Welcome Center in Anderson, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, or at visitredding.com/trails. For those who want to run the trails, visit www.shastatrailruns.com/.

2) Top-Ten Town for Fly Fishing – Redding is the only west coast city on Forbes Magazine’s

list of North America’s Top Ten Fly-Fishing Towns. Forbes recognized the Lower Sacramento River as having some of the most powerful rainbow trout in the world, the nearby McCloud River for its leaping rainbows, and Hat Creek and Fall River, all a short drive from Redding, for their big and demanding trout. Redding offers the best fishing tours and guides in the region, who know the waterways and can navigate visitors to the best fishing found in Shasta Cascade.

3) Check out Amazing Waterfalls – Spring is Waterfall Season in Redding, they’re

everywhere! Dunsmuir and McCloud Falls flow to the north, the MacArthur-Burney Falls to the east, and the Whiskeytown Falls to the west. If that’s not enough to get you misty-eyed, there’s Angel Falls, Bear Canyon and Bear Creek Falls, Big Springs, Bluff Falls, Deadhorse Falls, Elephant Butte Falls, Feather Falls, Fern Falls… and the list goes on.

There is no shortage of cascading water over mountain ridges in Redding and Shasta Cascade. They have to be seen to be believed! Not much of a hiker? Crystal Creek Falls, in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, is wheelchair accessible, making it kidfriendly as well.

4) Discover Caving and Lava Tubes – Spelunking, also known as caving, is one of the many

fun and unusual things to do in the Shasta Cascade. The US Forest Service station offers maps of the caves and access by boat to Samwel Cave on the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake. Divers fossils and cultural artifacts dating back to the ice age have been found on site and mythical lore still presides. In addition, Lava Beds National Monument and Subway Cave near Lassen Volcanic National Park offer visitors the opportunity to walk into the cool depths of the earth through ancient lava tubes. How refreshing!

5) Go Underground and Back in Time at the Shasta Caverns – Go underground and back

millions of years at Lake Shasta Caverns. The caverns were recently declared a National Natural Landmark (NNL) for the conservation of sites containing outstanding biological and geological resources. Ride across the beautiful blue waters of Lake Shasta on a 65foot catamaran and explore the east shore caverns just below the limestone north grey rocks. The underground world of the caverns is filled with spacious ‘rooms’ lined with breathtaking crystal formations 250 million years in the making. Whether boating, or taking a dinner cruise on the lake, visitors of all ages will enjoy the gorgeous setting, natural wonders, beautiful sunsets, and the company of family and friends.

6) Geysers, Fumaroles and Bubbling Mud: Explore CA’s Version of Yellowstone Park –

Shasta Cascade’s Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to Lassen Peak, the world’s largest plug dome volcano. In fact, all four types of the world’s volcanoes can be seen in this region, including a plug dome or lava dome, shield volcano, cinder cone, and composite or stratovolcano. Lassen Peak is an active volcano, having erupted several times between 1914 and 1921. The national park’s 106,000 acres contain colorful and dramatic volcanic activity: steam vents, fumaroles, bubbling mud, geysers, boiling lakes,

and painted dunes. Explore the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, the first structure in a national park to earn a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum rating for its innovations. Inside, interactive exhibits take visitors into the "Vulcan's Eye," immersing them in the science, history and drama of Lassen Volcanic National Park.

7) Take Rock Climbing to Great Heights – The Shasta Rock Club is an urban destination

aimed at inspiring, educating, and challenging people through a unique rock climbing experience. Some of the popular places to rock climb in Redding and Shasta Cascade include Burney Limestone (aka The Shredding), an excellent limestone sport climbing crag located 26 miles outside of Redding; Castle Crags, where granite spires, domes and walls - most with views of Mount Shasta - range in height from 20 feet to over 900 feet; and Mount Shasta’s Avalanche Gulch, which begins at the Bunny Flat Trailhead and gains about 7,300 feet of elevation in approximately 11.5 miles round trip.

8) Shape-Up Paddling on the Water in Shasta – California’s Sacramento River is a major

destination for the plethora of paddle sports gaining in popularity across America.

Northern California has world-class rivers and lakes perfect for shape-up sports like paddle boarding, which burns an average of 600 calories per hour; kayaking, burning between 360-950 calories an hour; canoeing, which shaves 400 calories per hour; and river rafting, burning at least 230 calories per hour. Be sure to try the new craze: SUP Yoga! Get healthy and stay happy in Shasta Cascade.

9) Channel Your Inner Fish – Swimming is an all-ages activity perfect for the sunny spring

time days in the north state. If you're looking for wild water slides, poolside fun, or lazy lakes, Redding has a little bit of everything. Visitors can dive in at The Bridge Bay Resort, one of the most beautiful lakeside resorts in the state, and centrally located to make any arm of the lake accessible, or the centerpiece of the McArthur-Burney Falls State Memorial Park, where the 129-foot Burney Falls may not be the highest or largest waterfall in the state, but are easily the most beautiful. For another refreshing experience, take the trail to the pool at the base of the falls and along the stream and float to your heart’s content. Of course, there’s always the largest manmade reservoir in California, Shasta Lake, offering 360 miles of shoreline for water fun and enjoyment.

10) Cycling America’s Newest National Recreation Trail – The 17.4 mile, paved Sacramento

River National Recreation Trail, winding from Sundial Bridge to Shasta Dam, is an easy and entertaining cycling route for Redding visitors who like to explore by bike. A halfday bike ride wanders over the iconic Sundial Bridge, the 1914 Diestelhorst Bridge, and the Ribbon Bridge, the first concrete stress ribbon bridge in the United States. The trail also follows an old railroad line, passing through a tunnel built in the 1800s. The scenery of pink oleander and riparian oak woodland inhabiting the banks of the clear waters of the Sacramento River is calming and inviting. Free tours are given daily at Shasta Dam, where visitors can enjoy the deep blue lake with the snowy Mt. Shasta backdrop. Visit Shasta Living Streets events calendar for all the exciting cycle-based events!

And there’s More Revelry to be Found: May Events From music festivals to paddling marathons, Redding’s list of cultural, sporting, and food & wine events equals fun for everyone, especially during the spring: NASCAR K&N Pro Series West May 30, 2015 Shasta Speedway & Event Center 1890 Briggs Street Anderson, CA 96007 The NASCAR K&N Pro Series has become the premiere training ground for this exciting and hugely popular sport. On the road in 17 different states throughout 2015, the Shasta Speedway event is one of only 27 dates in this pro series. Come and watch some of NASCAR’s greatest drivers strut their stuff on the 50-year-old Shasta Speedway. The 2015 K&N Pro Series uses racecars that are similar to those used in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Points for driver and owner championships are awarded based on the racers finishing position and number of laps in the lead. Go to www.shasta-speedway.com for ticket purchasing information.

Redding Rodeo May 13-16, 2015 Redding Rodeo Grounds 715 Auditorium Drive Redding, CA 96001 Saddle up for the 66th Annual Redding Rodeo! Attracting mutton busters and steer wrestlers from all over the United States, the prestigious Redding Rodeo is an event filled with excitement for all ages. It kicks off with a steak feed BBQ and dance (with karaoke championships, no less!) on May 9th, followed by a 4-day PRCA rodeo May 13 through Saturday May 16, 2015. The final performance is the PRCA Challenge of Champions Performance, where the best PRCA Cowboys and Cowgirls compete for added prize money. It is always a thrilling performance and will be filmed and televised on CBS Sports. For ticket information call 530241-8559 or email tickets@reddingrodeo.com.

Whiskeytown Duathlon 2015 May 16, 2015 Shasta Mine Loop Parking Lot Whiskeytown, CA 96095 Join the SWEAT Running Club for a 5K run - 8M Mt Bike - 5K run. The Duathlon starts and finishes at the Shasta Mine loop Parking lot. This exciting event takes place on the region’s world-renowned trails and, as all three legs consist mostly of dirt trails, requires all participants to use a mountain bike. To register contact Tori Parks at 530-515-6157 or email sweatrc@sbcglobal.net.

Cal 100 May 23-25, 2015

River Front Park Sundial Bridge Redding, CA 96001 Join Rivers for Change for the third annual California 100! The 100-mile, one-day paddling race on the Sacramento River begins under the Sundial Bridge in Redding and finishes near Chico.

This round-the-clock moving water event is open to all paddle sport enthusiasts in sea kayaks, marathon canoes, surfskis, standup paddleboards, outriggers, prone paddleboards and almost anything else you can paddle. Information can be found at http://www.riversforchange.org/california-100/registration/ Whiskeytown Memorial Regatta May 23-24, 2015 14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive Whiskeytown, CA 96095 Dinghies, centerboard, multi-hull and keel boats will race on Whiskeytown Lake over Memorial Day weekend for the 51st annual Whiskeytown Memorial Regatta. The series of races is free to spectators at Brandy Creek Beach with a day-use pass at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. The fee to race in the Regatta is $55.00. Early entries received by May 16th receive a $10 discount and US Sailing members receive a $5.00 discount.

Redding and Shasta Cascade is the perfect place to party this spring! ###

About Shasta Cascade Covering an area roughly the size of Ireland, the Shasta Cascade region is the perfect place to get back to nature, relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Comprised of eight rural counties historically known for being part of the pioneer gold rush in the mid-1800s, this majestic region of northern California is abundantly scattered with lakes, rivers, mountains and historic mining towns, and includes Lassen Volcanic National Park, two national monuments, six national forests and seven California state parks offering unforgettable fun and adventure. This area offers boundless outdoor recreation with magnificent landscapes and breathtaking vistas: from towering volcanoes, alpine ranges, and glaciers, to waterfalls, lush forests, pristine lakes, and roaring rivers; this travel destination is one of a kind. Shasta Cascade is easy to get to by auto, air, or Amtrak, and offers an off-the-beaten-path experience where people discover the abundance of nature in one of the few unspoiled areas remaining in California. For more information or to request a visitor’s guide, visit www.shastacascade.com, like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ShastaCascade, or find us on twitter www.twitter.com/ShastaCascade.

About Redding, CA Situated at the northern end of the Sacramento River Valley, Redding is the hub city in Shasta Cascade and is located just two hours north of Sacramento and three hours northeast of San Francisco. Boasting 300+ days of beautiful weather a year, Redding offers outdoor adventure and attractions all year long, along with great wine, food, sporting and cultural events, dining,

lodging and entertainment. The great Sacramento River runs through the center of town, helping earn Redding the fame of being America’s “Unofficial Capital of Kayaking” according to Time Magazine. Nearby scenic lakes, rivers, state and national parks, including Shasta Lake, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and Lassen Volcanic National Park, make Redding a fantastic base-camp for exploration in Shasta Cascade, offering Any Adventure, Any Day. Redding is conveniently located at the crossroads of I-5 and California state routes 299 and 44, and is accessible by daily flights from San Francisco. For more information or to order a visitor’s guide, visit www.visitredding.com, like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/VisitReddingCA or find us on twitter at www.twitter.com/visitreddingca. For up-to-date happenings, follow our blog at www.visitredding.com/blog.

Media Contacts Susan Hartzler Mental Marketing 818-585-8641 shartzler@mentalmarketing.com www.mentalmarketing.com Kallie Markle Visit Redding 530-225-4103 Kallie@VisitRedding.com www.visitredding.com Lisa May Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association 530-365-7504 lisa@shastacascade.org www.shastacascade.com