Located in the city of Redding California, the Turtle Bay Exploration Park is a fun, nonprofit 300-acre place. The Exploration Park situated along the banks of the Sacramento River and It features a sundial bridge, museum, forestry and wildlife center, arboretum and botanical garden. The Sundial Bridge we were walking across is a world-famous pedestrian bridge and public art installation. Spanish Architect and Engineer, Santiago Calatrava conceived of the Sundial Bridge’s unusual design. It was completed on July 4, 2004, and its dimensions are 700 feet long, 23 feet wide and 217 feet high.

Weighing in at a whopping 3.2 million pounds The McConnell Arboretum is over 200 acres of native trees and plants and has a 1-mile loop trail. In the botanical gardens you will get to explore a Mediterranean climate display, children’s garden, medicinal garden, two beautiful water features and a seasonal pond. The 34,600 square foot museum is a two-story structure that features two art galleries for traveling exhibitions, an aquarium reflecting the river ecosystem, exhibits highlighting the geology and industry of the region, museum workshops and cafe.

The American Adventure exhibit is a role-play game that teaches the history and experience of the early colonists in North America. Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp is an educational hub modeled after the old-time forest camps that were all over Shasta County a hundred years ago. There are two age-appropriate playgrounds, indoor & outdoor animals exhibit, a water feature, animal show, parrot playhouse and more.

Address: 844 Sundial Bridge Drive, Redding, CA 96003
Website: https://www.turtlebay.org/