Category: Things to do

Just southeast of Redding is Hawes Farm. They have the farm setup for country style amusements, and Fall is their busy season. Took the grandkids along for an agrarian afternoon, and captured a few images.

In the evening it’s quite different, with a Corn Maze and various Haunted House and Zombie themed attractions. But in the afternoon with little kids, it is just entirely pleasing and inexpensive fun. They have a website with more activities, and you can click on the image below to see more.

Captured a few quick images of the Jones Valley Marina and Resort yesterday.

Looks like it will be a great year on the lake in 2016! Click to enlarge.

Years of drought made for some lean tourist seasons for our resorts.

Not this year.

Another resort/marina out that way is Silverthorn. They posted this amusing pitch on their website:

“The US Department of State is issuing Worldwide Caution with respect to the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world. Why take the chance of traveling abroad this summer when you can opt for a safe and luxurious vacation on Shasta Lake and stay close to home. Call us at 800-332-3044 to discuss your needs, or book online now at silverthornresort.com“

Indeed, why take a chance? Throw your “Worldwide Caution” to the wind.

Vacationing on Lake Shasta is Really Redding.

We’ve had some good rainfall this season. Here it is early February, and the sun is shining and the air is in the upper 70s. Definitely time to go see the refreshed waterfalls that surround us in the beautiful northstate. Lucky for you, Active Norcal has assembled a waterfall guide they call comprehensive. Alternatively you could look at having a vacation to a foreign country and go sightseeing and see some fabulous waterfalls, like the svartifoss waterfall in Iceland for example.
All of them should be running strongly about now. Why not go out and see for yourself? Here’s a shot I once took of Burney Falls.
Appreciating nature’s astonishing beauty. That’s ReallyRedding.

There are two popular spots in the mountains surrounding Redding for casual snowplay, Eskimo Hill and Snowman Summit. Eskimo Hill is near Lassen Peak on Hwy 44, and Snowman is on the way to McCloud on Hwy 89. Recently, I took some images of our family outing to Snowman Summit, below.

Snowman Summit 2015 from Skip Murphy on Vimeo.

Snowman Summit is about an hour’s drive from Redding. It has the added advantage of having a Snowman Summit webcam, courtesy of CalTrans, so you can see snow conditions in real time.

Free snowplay. It’s Really Redding.

 

This brief meditation is brought to you by Patrick’s Point State Park, which is just about a 3 hour drive west of Really Redding. A very beautiful drive, one might add. One of my favorite spots in Northern California, and a real treasure to have available just a few hours away.

Eureka is a few hours drive west from Redding, but it might as well be another country in terms of climate and culture. So it’s always such a welcome break to get away to the Northcoast once in a while. We booked a night at the Carter House Inns the other day, and I’m posting some images. Below, the main building that houses the Hotel Carter and the Restaurant 301.

<Above, the main lobby of the hotel, with some appetizers.

Seen above are other buildings that are part of the property. They were doing some painting that day, hence the dropcloths on the left. I imagine these harborfront Victorians take a lot of maintenance. The building on the right was designed by the same architects who designed the landmark Carson Mansion, which is just a short walk north.

Above, the common area of the Carter House Inn, which is the elaborate Victorian on the corner. So much redwood millwork! Below, the Bell Cottage, where we stayed for this trip.

Above, the common area of the Bell. There is also a full kitchen.

Below, our room and bath. 12 foot high ceilings and handcrafted woodwork details set the tone. Tasteful art and decor, along with modern TV and wi-fi.

Breakfast at the Restaurant 301 is included, as below.

The lovely Karry contemplates breakfast inside the very pleasurable 301.

The story of the Carter House is very interesting. You can book your visit online as we did, and the service was flawless.  It’s pleasing to know that this elegant and artistic getaway is so nearby to Really Redding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We enjoy a world class pool and aquatic facility located in Caldwell Park near the Sacramento River in Redding.

Northstate kids really need to know how to swim, and can get lessons here. There’s also a bunch of activities and fun events, which you can learn about at the Redding Aquatic Center website.

Cousins with grandma. Sure, just try to get everyone to smile AND look at the camera.

A life aquatic. It’s ReallyRedding.

Here’s a website devoted to all things outdoors here in the Redding and Shasta region. They have some things to do, some images and some videos of events and features. Well worth a look. Click on the image to go the website.