The Sundial Bridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava, stands as Redding's architectural centerpiece, connecting to miles of Sacramento River National Recreation trails for walking and biking. Outdoor recreation surrounds the city, from boating and fishing at Lake Shasta, California's largest reservoir, to exploring waterfalls at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. The 300-acre Turtle Bay Exploration Park features a museum, botanical gardens, and animal exhibits, while Lassen Volcanic National Park showcases hydrothermal areas and volcanic landscapes within driving distance.
The Redding housing market includes approximately 400 homes for sale, ranging from $230,000 to $1,146,000. The median sale price sits at $399,100, with single-family homes commanding a median price of $418,500. Two-bedroom condos have a median price of $261,000. Single-family homes predominate across neighborhoods like Garden Tract, where the median price is $327,500, and Gold Hills, where the median reaches $640,000. Luxury homes in Tierra Oaks command a median price of $1,042,500.
The cost of living in Redding runs 10.7% above the national average. A family with school-age children needs an annual salary of $117,000 to live comfortably, while renters should aim for $58,000. Monthly grocery costs average $1,700 for families and $700 for renters. Housing expenses typically run $2,500 monthly for families and $1,800 for renters. Property taxes stand at 0.7%, while the combined sales tax rate is 8.80%.
The city maintains strong public schools, with three institutions rated A by Niche, including Shasta High School serving multiple neighborhoods. Simpson University provides higher education opportunities. The Mediterranean climate brings hot summers exceeding 100°F and mild winters between 40-60°F, with 300 sunny days annually.
