Is this Sundial Bridge one of Redding’s best kept secrets?

You can’t have not heard about the Golden Gate Bridge. And you’ve probably heard about the Bixby Bridge and Bay Bridge, even the San Mateo and Richmond – San Raphael bridges in California if you are familiar with the state. But there’s a lesser known bridge in Redding that ought to be on the list of celebrated bridges in the Golden State. I’m talking about the Sundial Bridge.

The Sundial Bridge is a pedestrian bridge over the Sacramento River as it runs through Redding in Northern California. What sets it apart from the ordinary are the facts that it is a glass bridge, and on it is a sundial that is said to be the ‘largest working sundial in the world’ [note: as of 2018].

We were in Redding,  for a quick get-away and it happened to be on the first day of summer that we were there. The mercury was flirting with the 100-degree mark, like it knew that summer solstice was here. Since it seemed like too hot a day, we waited until the evening hours to start exploring the area.

When we got to the part where the Sundial Bridge was, there was a music festival going on so it took us a while to find some parking space and walk down to the bridge. But since the sun was on its way down it was an easy walk. And the pinkening skies made a very pleasant backdrop for the tall sundial at the other end of the glass bridge. As we walked along the length of the bridge, we took in the sight of Sac river flowing gracefully below and also enjoyed the cool breeze that was there to tease us.

Sacramento River from the Sundial Bridge.

There were a few people (and their dogs) out for a stroll that evening. And most people seemed like locals. They have a really cool place for their walks, I must say. The bridge and the river are not the only attractions there. There’s even a trail that runs through there making it a great area for some exercise in the middle of nature.

When we got to the end of the bridge – where the sundial was, we decided to walk down a part of a trail that curved around the curvaceous part of the bridge. And what did we see there — some lights adding drama to the scene. By then, the place had gotten dark and the deck of the bridge had turned a bright blue owing to the lights on it. From afar it looked like a glow in the dark. And as I walked closer to the water, I found that that part of the river just below the bridge had a purplish-blue tinge giving it a hint of fantasy.

It was an enchanting sight. So, I recommend you stay until dark to see the bridge lit up. And then walk over that blueness on your way back to the parking lot.

The pylon, up close.

The northern end of the bridge.

The view from the bottom of the bridge

The Sundial Bridge – facts

The Sundial Bridge in Redding was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The pylon that holds up the bridge is 217 feet tall and that makes it the tallest sundial, say the brochures and the travel literature you find around here. It is also said to be ‘the first steel inclined-pylon cable-stayed bridge in the US.’

This 72-feet long foot-bridge was opened to the public in 2004.

At the southern end of the structure, I also found some interesting information about the Sundial Bridge in Redding, CA. Let me share a part of it with you.

Sundial Bridge – Fun facts:

• This bridge weighs as much as 400 elephants
• It took 11 years for the building of the Sundial Bridge
• 24 million dollars went into the making of the bridge
• 219 is the number of lights that illuminte this bridge
• The Sundial Bridge comes together with parts from 6 different countries.

Do you think this landmark deserves a place in your itinerary when you visit these parts (again)? If you do, let me remind you to stay till the sun has set so you can see this glass bridge all lit up.

One last look at the bridge from the southern end.

Other trips you can make if you are in Redding, CA

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Shasta Lake

Lake Shasta Caverns

Burney Falls

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