Don’t Worry About Big Airports, Fly to Redding, CA!
Landmarks and the technical part
Redding, California,(IATA: RDD, ICAO: KRDD, FAA LID: RDD). Redding Regional Airport elev. 505′ is a public airport 6 miles SE of Redding in Shasta County. This is a towered, full service airport with two asphalt runways. Runway 16/34 is 7,003′ x 150′ and runway 12/30 is 5,067′ x 150′. Both AVGas and Jet A are available on the field. Nestled at the bottom of the Cascade foothills the Sacramento River runs through the city.
The Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay is a suspension bridge over said river with one of the largest sundials in the world. Depending on your approach, definitely visible from the air.
This airport does have commercial traffic through Alaska, Avelo, and United Airlines. It’s mostly short hops to other Cali destinations. However, there is one flight to Seattle provided by Alaska Airlines.
FBO
The FBO is the Redding Jet Center operated by Redding Aero Enterprises. They are ready to help with all your aviation needs, for instance, offering a charter flight service. They also provide aircraft maintenance and are surrounded by FAA certified repair stations. Being at the center of all this aviation knowledge helps insure a quick turn around for you with almost any maintenance issue. They specialize in Cessna 300-400 series and Piper Comanches and are also a Cirrus Service Center. In addition to 10 FAA Certified Airframe & PowerPlant Mechanics they have factory training on Cessna Caravans and the Beechcraft KingAir series.
Transport
Rental Car agencies available at Redding Regional Airport are Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz. There are also four local cab companies and one Limousine service. ABC Cab, Day & Nite Cab, Road Runner Taxi Cab, and Yellow Cab. The Limo service is provided by Shasta Premier Transportation. Of coarse there is always Lift and Uber. Shuttle services are provided by many off the local hotels. In addition, the Redding Jet Center does have a crew car available with a one hour time limit.
Additionally, downtown Redding offers everything from Amtrak and Greyhound to rental bikes.
Things to do in Redding.
Sundial Bridge in Redding, California!
Walking across the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay should be on everyone’s list of things to do while in
Redding. With the nearby Branch House Riverfront Bistro you’ll enjoy your day! Stop for a coffee or a drink and take in the beautiful Sacramento River. The bridge connects both sides of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park. In the park you will find river trails, a museum, a wildlife center and botanical gardens.
Kayaking in the crystal clear water of the Whiskeytown Lake in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is next. The waterfalls, the mountains, and the awesome landscape are to the west a little under 10 miles from Redding. There is also Lake Shasta to the north, just take Interstate 5. Please be aware when using any navigation system there is a Shasta Lake the town and an actual Shasta Lake and a Mount Shasta. You get to Mount Shasta (about an hour north) by driving through Shasta Lake the town and over the bridge of Shasta Lake. It can confuse some apps and maps. (Me too)
In town is the gorgeous art deco Cascade Theatre with numerous events throughout the year. From concerts to comedy shows there’s usually something going on!
Where to Eat in Redding.
All 5 top rated restaurants in Redding are listed as American fare. These are Deja Vu, Woody’s Brewing Co., Cattlemens, Black Bear Diner, and the Lumberjack Restaurant. Deja Vu is known for it’s sandwiches and potato salad while Woody’s Brewing Co. is best known for it’s Angus beef burgers. Of coarse, the Cattlemens is famous for steaks. The family owned Redding version is particularly known for prime rib and ribeye. The breakfast award goes to the Black Bear Diner with the Lumberjack coming in as just plain good food.
A different search does offer a few other tastebud options. I’ve never had Laotian food but the Champa Garden is rated high enough for me to give it a try. Also available, for Italian lovers, the Mosaic Restaurant out by the Sundial Bridge. The lighted outdoor seating at the Mosaic Restaurant is beautiful. For Asian tastes there’s the Taroko Asian Bar and Grill touted as an Asian fusion restaurant.
The second list presents Trendy’s as the best breakfast stop with The Bantam Kitchen & Cooler as great casual dining.
Redding Pubs and Wine!
Starting with Woody’s Brewing Co., as previously mentioned, we add The Final Draft Brewing Company, in the heart of downtown, to our list of pubs. Also added, are the Fall River Taphouse and the Alehouse Pub. I chose these from the most popular list because they all offer outdoor seating. It’s just a personal preference of mine but a lot of people agree with me so I thought it worth a mention. Sports fans need to check out Riddick’s Sport Pub.
Westside Wines and Hops, along with Moseley Family Cellars, Vintage Public House, as well as The Grape Escape, all seem worth your time. The Grape Escape appears more rustic and casual, although, there seems to be a mixture from all walks of life at Westside Wines and Hops. All in all, it looks like a pretty fair selection of local wineries.
Take a nice relaxing tour of the family owned Moseley Family Cellars. Enjoy the Thompson House Tasting Room and the cool looking homemade bar.
The Vintage Public House isn’t exactly a winery but it is voted a great place to have a glass. Perhaps partially because of the proximity to the Cascade Theatre. Turning a good theater night into a great one would be easy with a stroll across the street.
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As always, safe travels,