Redding doesn’t always make the NorCal itinerary, but it should. Tucked at the northern end of the Sacramento Valley where the mountains begin, Redding is sunny, outdoorsy, and genuinely dog-friendly in ways that go beyond just pet-tolerant hotels. The Sacramento River runs right through downtown, a 42,000-acre national recreation area sits 10 minutes to the west, and some of Northern California’s best waterfall hikes are within easy reach. It’s about three hours north of the Bay Area and a natural first stop on any Shasta Cascade road trip.

We came through Redding at the start of our Northern California waterfall road trip, and it set exactly the right tone for the days ahead. If you’re continuing north — and we strongly recommend you do — Redding is the perfect base before heading up to Mt. Shasta, Dunsmuir, and the McCloud River Falls area, where some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the state await.

Sundial Bridge, Sacramento River Trail + McConnell Arboretum 

The Sundial Bridge is one of the most architecturally striking pedestrian bridges in the United States — a glass-decked, cable-stayed structure designed by Santiago Calatrava that doubles as a functioning sundial. It’s the natural starting point for exploring Redding with a dog, and it connects directly to two of the best dog-friendly walks in town.

The Sacramento River National Recreation Trail stretches 17 miles one way from the bridge upstream to Shasta Dam, following the historic railroad bed that once connected Oakland to Portland. The full trail is car-free and entirely dog-friendly — walk as far as you’d like and turn back whenever you’re ready. The sections closest to the bridge are the most scenic, with the river on one side and a mix of oak woodland and open meadow on the other. Beautiful bridges and riverside bench stops dot the route throughout.

On the north side of the Sundial Bridge, the McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens adds a quieter, more contemplative option — 200 acres of trees and plants with a one-mile walking loop that connects directly to the Sacramento River Trail. It’s an ideal add-on for a morning walk with your dog before heading out to Whiskeytown.

Address: 844 Sundial Bridge Dr, Redding, CA 96003 Leash rules: Dogs on leash throughout Parking: Free lot at Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area 

Whiskeytown is one of the most dog-friendly units in the entire National Park system, and it’s only 10 minutes west of downtown Redding. Dogs are welcome on most trails throughout the park’s 42,000 acres — a notable contrast to many NPS properties where trail access is severely restricted. This is a place worth spending a significant chunk of your day.

Crystal Creek Falls

The most accessible waterfall in the park, Crystal Creek Falls is an easy 0.6-mile out-and-back that delivers a beautiful multi-tiered cascade with minimal effort. It’s the ideal warm-up hike — flat enough to be relaxing, rewarding enough to feel worth it. Dogs are welcome on leash.

Trail: Crystal Creek Falls — AllTrails Distance: 0.6 miles out-and-back Difficulty: Easy

Whiskeytown Falls

The crown jewel of the park is Whiskeytown Falls — a dramatic 220-foot, three-tiered cascade that’s one of the tallest waterfalls in the region. The trail is about 3 miles round trip with some elevation gain, and the payoff is well worth the effort. Dogs are welcome on leash.

Trail: Whiskeytown Falls — AllTrails Distance: ~3 miles round trip Difficulty: Moderate

Boat and Kayak Rentals

If you want to add some time on the water to your Whiskeytown day, Whiskeytown Marinas offers boat and kayak rentals on the lake — a perfect midday option if you want to pack a lunch and get out on the water with your dog. Rentals are available seasonally.

Website: whiskeytownmarinas.com

Park address: 14412 Kennedy Memorial Dr, Whiskeytown, CA 96095 Leash rules: Dogs on leash (6 feet or less) on all trails; not permitted at Brandy Creek Beach, East Beach, or Oak Bottom Beach Entry fee: America the Beautiful pass accepted

Lake Shasta Caverns 

Lake Shasta Caverns is one of the most unique stops on any NorCal road trip — a guided two-hour tour through a series of dramatic limestone caverns above the shores of Shasta Lake. The experience involves a ferry boat crossing to the cavern entrance, a hillside bus ride up to the cave, and a guided walk through formations including stalactites, stalagmites, and a cathedral-like “Cathedral Room.”

A note on dogs: registered service animals are permitted, and friendly pets that can be carried for the entire two-hour tour are also welcome. 

Tours run every hour from 9am to 3pm at $46 per person. No reservation required — tickets can be purchased on site.

Address: 20359 Shasta Caverns Rd, O’Brien, CA 96070 Hours: Tours run 9am–3pm hourly Cost: $46/person Website: lakeshastacaverns.com Dog note: Service animals welcome; small pets that can be carried for the full tour are permitted; do not leave dogs unattended in vehicle during tour

Downtown Redding Murals 

Redding has a surprisingly robust mural scene, and a self-guided mural walk through downtown is a lovely way to wind down an active day. The murals are spread across several blocks and range from large-scale community portraits to colorful abstract works — your dog is welcome for the entire stroll. Visit Redding has a curated Mural Rider itinerary worth bookmarking before you go.

Key stops on the mural walk:

• Cascade — 1220 California St
• Welcome to Redding — 1445 Eureka Way
• Market Street Murals — 1551 Market St
• Dahlia — 1943 Pine St

Where to Eat

Redding has a solid and growing dog-friendly dining scene, and with warm weather most of the year, patio season is nearly year-round. Here are the spots worth knowing about:

Pipeline Craft Taps & Kitchen — A gastropub on California Street with a dog-friendly outdoor patio equipped with misters for warm weather days. The menu leans elevated pub fare — standout items include the duck fat fries, buffalo cauliflower bites, lamb burger, seared ahi sandwich, and Thai peanut chicken wings, alongside an extensive craft beer and wine list. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area.

Final Draft Brewing Company — A full-service brewery and pub with a heated outdoor patio, making it a good year-round option. The menu covers wings, burgers, sandwiches, and fish and chips, with weekend brunch available as well.

Woody’s Brewing Co. — A family-owned neighborhood brewery in downtown Redding with a German and Polish-influenced pub menu. Dog-friendly outdoor tables out front and a relaxed local vibe.

Cinders Wood Fired Pizza — Dog-friendly patio seating for wood-fired pizza made with local ingredients. A solid dinner option after a long day on the trails.

Wilda’s Grill — Known for Buddha bowls and sweet potato fries, with a large covered patio that welcomes dogs. A good option for a healthy, filling dinner.

More Dog-Friendly Activities in the Area 

Redding has more to offer than a single day can cover. If you have extra time or are planning a longer stay, here are additional dog-friendly activities worth adding to your list.

Shasta Lake — Just 20 minutes north of Redding, Shasta Lake is California’s largest reservoir and a prime destination for boating, kayaking, and lakeside trails. Dogs are welcome throughout much of the recreation area, and the scale of the lake — dramatic arms of blue water cutting through the hills — is genuinely impressive. Bailey Cove Trailhead offers a dog-friendly hike with lake views.

Shasta State Historic Park — A short drive west of downtown, this dog-friendly historic park sits at the hub of California’s gold rush wagon travel routes. Dogs are welcome on the paved roadway and in the parking area on leash — a good stop if you’re interested in a bit of California history alongside the natural scenery.

Sacramento River Bend Area (Red Bluff) — About 45 minutes south of Redding, the Sacramento River Bend Area is a more remote dog-friendly destination with river-hugging trails including the Yana Trail for more adventurous hikers. Wildlife is plentiful here — river otters, beavers, osprey, and deer are commonly spotted. Note that warm days can bring rattlesnakes, so stay alert on trail.

Nur Pon Open Space — A fenced off-leash dog area within Redding with walking paths, pedestrian bridges, and a kayak launch on the Sacramento River. A good option for an off-leash run if your dog needs to stretch out after a day of on-leash hiking.

The Waterfall Loop (Day 2+) — Redding is a great jumping-off point for one of the best waterfall itineraries in Northern California. Continuing north on I-5 takes you into Dunsmuir and Mt. Shasta territory, where Hedge Creek Falls, Faery Falls, the McCloud River Falls (Lower, Middle, and Upper), McArthur-Burney Falls, and Potem Falls are all within reach — many of them dog-friendly. See our Dog-Friendly Guide to Mt. Shasta and Dunsmuir for the full breakdown of what to expect on the next leg of the trip.

Where to Stay 

Vacation Rentals For a dog-friendly trip to Redding, a vacation rental is often the most practical choice. Having a fenced yard, extra space to spread out gear, and a kitchen for meals makes a meaningful difference when you’re coming in from full hiking days. We stayed at this AirBnB and it was the right call. 

Hotels If you prefer a hotel, Redding has some pet-friendly options across price points. The Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites is a solid mid-range choice with easy access to the Rockaway Beach area and proximity to both the river trail and Whiskeytown. Most national chains along I-5 in Redding accept pets with a fee, so there’s no shortage of options.

Getting There

Redding is approximately 3 hours north of the San Francisco Bay Area via I-5, and about 1.5 hours south of the Oregon border. It’s the ideal first stop on a Shasta Cascade road trip — continuing north on I-5 takes you directly into Dunsmuir and Mt. Shasta, where the waterfall loop truly hits its stride. See our Dog-Friendly Guide to Mt. Shasta and Dunsmuir for everything that comes next.

Have a Redding dog-friendly spot we should add? Drop it in the comments below.