Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Imagine a space where science, art, and pristine nature intertwine as one. Turtle Bay Exploration Park is a large-scale cultural and educational complex spanning about 300 acres, located in the city of Redding, USA. Stretching along the banks of the Sacramento River, it represents a unique combination of a museum, botanical garden, and wildlife center.

The park's main architectural landmark is the famous Sundial Bridge, designed by the great Santiago Calatrava. This elegant 213-meter structure serves as a giant, working sundial. At the heart of the complex lies the Turtle Bay Museum, where visitors can see an underwater aquarium, learn about the culture of the Wintu Native Americans, and dive into a world of interactive science exhibitions.

The significance of this place lies in its mission—to demonstrate the harmonious interaction between humans and the environment. The park serves not only as a popular tourist destination but also as an important educational center, offering guests panoramic views of Mount Shasta Bally and the opportunity to touch the history and ecology of Northern California.

To check current information about events or plan a group visit, you can use the park's official contact details. Official representatives are always ready to help tourists navigate the complex's services.

In this park, everyone will find something to their liking, whether it's an educational getaway or a peaceful walk. Start your journey at the Turtle Bay Museum, where you can spend hours watching the inhabitants of the underwater aquarium or studying a full-scale reconstruction of a Native American dwelling. Children will be delighted by Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp—a massive play area where interactive activities teach about the forest ecosystem and logging history.

Be sure to set aside time for a leisurely stroll across the Sundial Bridge, which offers stunning views of the Sacramento River. Just across the bridge, you'll find the McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens—gardens featuring unique plants from various corners of the world with similar Mediterranean climates. Here, you can peek into the seasonal butterfly house or relax in the medicinal garden, enjoying the silence and the scents of the herbs.

For those who want to get to know the local fauna, the park has dedicated Wildlife Woods areas where you can observe birds and other regional inhabitants. Outdoor enthusiasts can continue along the extensive network of the Sacramento River Trails, which are ideal for hiking or cycling, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the wilderness of Northern California.

Getting to the park from the city center won't take much time—by car, you can reach the main entrance at 844 Sundial Bridge Drive in just 5–10 minutes. Free parking is provided on-site for visitors, making it very convenient to travel by private or rental vehicle.

For those who prefer more eco-friendly ways to get around, there's a great option: reach the site on foot or by bike via the famous Sacramento River Trails, which lead directly to the complex. If you plan to use public transport, look for the Shasta Regional Transportation Agency (SRT) bus routes, which have stops within walking distance.

Travelers arriving in the region via Redding Municipal Airport (RDD) can reach the park by taxi in about 15 minutes. And for those on a long road trip along I-5 from Sacramento or San Francisco, the exit to the park is a perfect opportunity to take a break and experience the nature of Northern California.

The history of this space began in the 1980s with an ambitious idea to unite several scattered local museums into one powerful cultural center. In 1982, an initiative group led by Iona "Rocky" Main proposed the concept of a museum that would preserve the memory of the region's logging past. The city's art and science communities gradually joined the project, and key financial support was provided by the McConnell Foundation, which invested tens of millions of dollars into the territory's development.

A significant milestone was the opening of Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp in 1997, which was visited by thousands of people on its first day. By 2005, the park's layout was nearly complete with the opening of the botanical gardens and arboretum. Interestingly, the construction of the Mill Building forest pavilion used authentic wooden beams salvaged from an old mill, giving the building a special historical charm and highlighting the connection between eras.

Today, Turtle Bay Exploration Park is a brilliant example of successful waterfront revitalization. In a place where industrial sites once stood, a modern cultural oasis has emerged. The project's culmination was the construction of the futuristic Sundial Bridge, which harmoniously combined architectural avant-garde with the untouched natural landscapes of the Sacramento River banks.

To see all the key locations without rushing, guests are recommended to set aside at least 4–6 hours for their visit. This time is enough to explore the museum exhibits in detail, stroll through the shady alleys of the botanical garden, and take memorable photos on the famous bridge.

For families with children, a visit can easily stretch into a full day. The vast number of interactive zones in the forest camp, animal enclosures, and educational programs at the museum are so engaging for young explorers that it can be very difficult to leave the park before evening.

The park is open to visitors daily, making it easy to include in your travel itinerary. On weekdays, the complex starts operating in the morning, and on weekends it opens slightly later, giving guests the chance to enjoy a more relaxed pace.

Current operating schedule:

• Monday — Friday: 09:00 – 17:00
• Saturday — Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00

Please note: the ticket offices close one hour before the park's official closing time. Also, keep in mind that access to some facilities, such as the Butterfly House, is seasonal and may depend on weather conditions.

Exploring the park's surroundings can significantly enrich your experience of visiting this region. Nearby are many interesting locations, from industrial monuments to cozy local breweries and restaurants.