Redding!!!

Shasta County, California, USA

Home of the spectacular Sundial Bridge

Northern California's Tourism & Recreation Capital

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| General Information | Population | Climate | Transportation | Housing | Municipal Services | Law Enforcement & Crime Rate | Fire Protection | Employment | Utilities | Education | Health Care | Retail | Area Media | Recreation | Attractions | Events | Other Links | Acknowledgments |

General Information:

Shasta County is located in the extreme northern end of the Sacramento Valley, equal distance between Los Angeles and Seattle on interstate 5. It is 160 miles north of Sacramento and 230 miles north of San Francisco. There are three incorporated cities in Shasta County, Redding, the county seat, Anderson and the City of Shasta Lake. Redding, bisected by the Sacramento River, is a growing center of commerce and industry and the nationally recognized metropolitan marketplace of northern California, serving the adjacent counties of Tehama, Trinity and Siskyou.

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Population: (January 2007 estimates)

Median age of county resident: 36.2 years.

Population percentage by age:

Population growth rate :

Ethnicity

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Climate: Valley Area

Click Here for the current Redding weather from The Weather Channel
Click Here for the current Redding weather & Forecast from USA Today
Click Here for the current Redding weather from Yahoo ! Weather

Elevation: 400-10,466 Feet (Shasta County).
Redding: About 400 Feet

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Transportation:

• Highways:
  
  Interstate 5
  U.S. 299
  State Route 44
  

• Road Conditions:
  800-427-7623
  

• Bus Lines:
  Greyhound 530-241-2531
  RABA (Local Public Transportation) 530-241-2877
  
• Air:
  Horizon (Via Portland, Seattle, and Los Angeles) 1-800-547-9308
  United (Via San Francisco) 1-800-241-6522
  
• Airports:
  Redding Municipal Airport 530-224-4321
  Hillside Aviation (Benton Field) 530-241-4204
  
• Call Letters: RDD
  
  
• Rail:
  Amtrak 800-872-7245

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Housing:

Rentals of 2 bedroom apartments & duplexes range from $ 450-$ 1,000
Rentals of three bedroom houses range from $ 600-$ 1400
Median price of a house sold in the City of Redding in last quarter (2008) is $ 209,900.  Executive type homes range up to $ 1.5 million+. Housing is usually available, for rent or purchase.

Median price in Shasta County Jan 2008: $ 195,000
Average property tax 1.07%

Cost of living Index (based on US average) : Standard: 101.65%, Executive 132.92%

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Municipal Services:

Shasta County is governed by general law with an elected Board of Supervisors
Redding, City of Shasta Lake and Anderson each have the Council-Manager type of government.

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Law Enforcement & Crime Rate:

Crime Rate:

65% Lower than statewide average
71% Lower than Seattle
86% Lower than Sacramento
17% Lower than Phoenix

Average of 1.5 sworn officer per 1000 population.

• Shasta County Sheriff's Dept.: 245 sworn officers
• City of Redding: 104 sworn officers
• City of Anderson: 15 sworn officers

• Overall crime index of Shasta County is 65% lower than the statewide average.
  
  Emergency Phone Number: 911

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Fire Protection:

• City of Redding: 7 fully Equipped Stations, 72 full time personnel. Class 3 Rating
• City of Anderson: 1 Station, 6 full time personnel, 24 Volunteers. Class 5 Rating
• City of Shasta Lake: 3 Stations, 7 full time personnel, 20 Volunteers. Class 4 Rating
  
  Emergency Phone Number: 911

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Employment:

2008 Median Income : $ 53,300

Average Unemployment Rate : Generally slightly higher than State of California average

*Jobs data courtesy of Kathy Porter, Northern California Labor Market Consultant EDD Labor Market Information Division

Industrial Development:

• Economic Development Corp. of Shasta County 530-225-5300
• Superior California Economic Development Dist. 530-241-8720
  
  Employment:
  
• Employment Development Department 530-225-2186
  
  Job Training:
  
• Private Industry Council 530-246-7911
  
• Sales Tax: 7.25% (food excluded, additional sales taxes in some areas)
  
  Automobile Registration Fees: Based on vehicle value
  California State Income Tax: Yes
  

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Utilities:

Electricity Supplier:

• City of Redding: City of Redding 530-245-7200
• City of Shasta Lake: Shasta Lake Electric Department 530-275-7400
• City of Anderson: Pacific Gas & Electric
  
  Water Source:
  
• City of Redding: Sacramento River, Whiskeytown Lake, Redding Groundwater Basin
• City of Shasta Lake: Shasta Lake
• City of Anderson: Local Wells

Natural Gas Supplier:

• Pacific Gas & Electric

• Telephone: Area Code: 530

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Education:

Shasta County provides comprehensive elementary and secondary educational programs. These programs are provided in:

• 25 school districts,
• 40 elementary schools
• 13 middle schools
• 8 high schools
• 4 continuation high schools and
• 30 private schools
• There are several special centers and classes for the handicapped, a federally funded Headstart project, and a home study program. Additionally, working parents and parents who are returning to school are provided a child development program.
  

Shasta Community College has a student enrollment of 14,000, with programs for university transfer occupational-technical training, Contract Training with employers as well as personal enrichment.530-225-4600

Simpson University is a private, fully accredited liberal arts school, offers several Bachelor of Arts degrees, a Degree Completion Program and some Graduate degrees.530-226-4606

California State University, Chico75 miles to the south of Redding, offers "distance education" on the Shasta College campus for those not able to make the 1 hour 10 minute drive. A Master's of Business Administration program, began in 1995 in Redding to serve the area's needs.

National University and has been here for 5 ½ years. A branch of the National University that is based out of San Diego, with 27 campuses throughout California. 530-226-4001

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Health Care:

Redding serves as the health care center for the north state. The city has 2 major hospitals with state of the art treatment facilities in the specialties of cancer therapy, cardiac surgery, trauma and laser surgery, maternity, infertility and reproductive disorders, emergency care and others. Each have air ambulance services There is a specialty hospital for treatment of psychiatric disorders, chemical dependency and acute physical rehabilitation, plus a private hospital and 11 convalescent hospitals.
There are :

• 368+ physicians/surgeons
• 100+ dentists
• 30+ optometrists
• 54+ chiropractors
• Veteran's Medical Center
• Mercy Medical Center 530-225-6000
• Shasta Regional Medical Center 530-244-5400
• Patients' Hospital 530-225-8700
• Northern California Rehabilitation Hospital 530-246-9000
  

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Retail:

There are 12 major shopping areas including 2 enclosed malls and 9 major shopping centers and a factory outlet center. Retail stores include:

• JC Penny
• Sears
• Gottschalks
• Costco
• Circuit City
• Target
• WalMart
• Barnes & Noble
• Office Max
• Office Depot
• Home Depot
• K-Mart
• Macy's
• Victoria's Secret
• Body, Bath & Beyond
• Old Navy
• Best Buy
• Lowe's
• TJ Max
• Kohl's

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National Chain Hotels:

• Hampton Inn & Suites (Newest) -Central Redding
• Hilton Garden Inn - South Redding
• Holiday Inn -Central Redding
• Holiday Inn Express -North Redding
• Ramada Limited - North Redding
• La Quinta Inn - Central Redding
• Red Lion Inn - Central Redding
• Best Western
• Motel 6

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Area Media:

Newspapers: 1 daily (Record Searchlight 530-243-2424), 2 weekly

Television Stations:

• ABC-KRCR Ch 7
• CBS-KSHL Ch 12
• NBC-KNVN Ch 24
• FOX-KCVU Ch 30
• PBS-KIXE Ch 9
• C26-KGEC UHF
  
  
• 2 Cable Systems
  

Radio Stations: 7 FM & 2 AM

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Recreation

City of Redding:

• 3 community parks
• 33 Neighborhood parks
• 8 miles Sacramento River Trail System
• 8 lighted baseball fields
• 2 public swimming pools
• 3 boat launching facilities
• numerous picnic facilities
• 6 public golf courses
• 2 private golf courses
• 3 movie complexes
  
  City of Shasta Lake:
  
• 7 parks
  
  City of Anderson:
  
• 3 parks
  

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Attractions:

Click Here to view maps & pictures

Regional Parks in the North State:

• Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park 530-335-2777
• Anderson River Park 530-378-6656
• Castle Crags State Park 530-235-2684
• Trinity (Claire Engle) Lake 530-623-2131
• Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge 530-667-2231
• Klamath River 530-493-2243
• Lake Siskiyou 530-926-2618
• Lassen Volcanic National Park 530-595-4444
• Latour Demonstration State Forest 530-225-2505
• Marble Mountain Wilderness 530-842-6131
• McArthur Burney Falls State Park 530-335-2777
• Mount Shasta Natural Landmark 530-926-4511
• Russian Wilderness 530-842-6131
• Shasta Dam and Shasta Lake 530-275-1589
• Trinity Alps Wilderness 530-623-2121
• Whiskeytown Lake Recreation Area 530-246-1225
  
  Regional Attractions: 

• Please click here to view the page with maps and photographs of regional attractions. High-Speed internet access strongly recommended due to large photograph files!!!!. That page is best viewed in 1024 X 768 or higher resolution.
  
  Turtle Bay Museums and Arboretum on the River with Sundial Bridge
  Turtle Bay Museums and Arboretum on the River is the result of the merger in 1997 of four organizations (Carter House Natural Science Museum, Redding Arboretum by the River, the Forest Museum and the Redding Museum of Art & History). Since April of that year, these various facilities have all been part of Turtle Bay Museums. The Turtle Bay project is a $46 million effort to build a major cultural and scientific center with a focus on the Sacramento River watershed. It will examine the connections between people and nature while exploring the challenges created by human use of the natural and cultural environment. The first phase of the Museum's expansion was completed in 1997 with the opening of Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp, a 7-acre interactive family learning center with a focus on the forest. The first permanent wildlife exhibits and a new visitor center. A major new exhibition building, cafe, extensive gardens, exhibits and other facilities are now open. The 300-acre campus on both sides of the Sacramento River is now joined by a spectacular 217 feet tall and 700 feet long glass-deck span pedestrian bridge designed by internationally known architect Santiago Calatrava. Call..... 530-243-8850.
  LAKE SHASTA CAVERNS
  O'Brien exit off interstate 5. These caverns are a delightful excursion for the entire family. The spectacular limestone and marble formations are surrounded by waterfalls and embedded with sparkling crystals. Guided tours are conducted daily. Call.. 530-238-2341.
  SHASTA STATE HISTORIC PARK
  Three miles west on Highway 299 this state park features a museum with relics from the 1840s gold rush era the Litsch General Store which has been completely restored to its original state and many other historical buildings from that era. Museum is open year round and can be reached by calling 530-243-8194.
  CAMDEN HOUSE & EL DORADO MINE
  15 miles west on Highway 299... the Camden House, built in 1852 was a popular stage coach stop. Tours conducted by the National Park Service by special request. Call 530-241-6584.
  REDDING MUSEUM OF ART & HISTORY
  1701 Rio Drive in Caldwell Park... features not only a large collection of local Indian artifacts but also exhibits contemporary art by various local and national artists. Now a part of Turtle Bay Museums and Arboretum on the River. For further information call 530-243-8801.
  REDDING CONVENTION CENTER
  700 Auditorium Drive . this attractive theater/convention hall schedules a variety of entertainment throughout the year from antique shows to country and western music For further information on upcoming events , call...530-225-4130. For information on booking conventions, call 530-225-4100.
  CARTER HOUSE NATURAL SCIENCE MUSEUM
  1701 Rio Drive in Caldwell Park... features natural and physical science exhibits. Their Animal Discovery Room is well-known for its "living exhibits." Children are encouraged to visit and play with over 30 different species of the animal world. Now a part of Turtle Bay Museums and Arboretum on the River. For further information call 530-243-5457.
  OLD CITY HALL GALLERY
  1313 Market Street... Located in downtown Redding, the original Redding City Hall has been restored and now houses exhibits from area artists Call 530-241-7320.
  CALDWELL / LAKE REDDING PARK
  Off Highway 273 north, take Quartz Hill Road... home of the Redding Museum and the Carter House Natural Science Museum, these parks located on the banks of the Sacramento River also feature a public swimming pool, playgrounds, picnic areas, softball and soccer fields, horseshoe pits. and a nine-hole public golf course.
  SACRAMENTO RIVER TRAILS
  To reach the Sacramento River Trail, proceed north on Market Street to Riverside Drive (left), which is on the south side of the Sacramento River. Proceed west on Riverside Drive to the designated parking area. The trail begins and continues 3 miles on the south side of the river, at this point the trail continues over a foot bridge where it then connects with the north side trail. The north side trail has several exits; however, if one chooses to walk the entire trail. it is another 5 miles
  SHASTA DAM TOURS
  The second largest dam in the United States, Shasta Dam is located approximately 12 miles north of Redding via Interstate 5. Completed in 1945, Shasta Dam is the highest center overflow dam in the world, and is three times higher than Niagara Falls. Free tours are conducted daily through the interior of the dam. Shasta Dam and Lake is a "must see" for anyone visiting beautiful Northern California. For tour information, please call: 530-275-4463 - info desk at Dam
  LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK
  Lassen Peak, over 10,000 feet high, last erupted in 1917. In the park, you will see many interesting examples of volcanic action. Seven campgrounds offer guided nature walks and camper programs in the summer months. The Park is closed in the winter with the exception of cross-country skiing from the Manzanita Lake area. Interpretive snow show tours are conducted by National Park Service Rangers. Take Highway 44 east from Redding to north entrance; Highway 36 from Red Bluff to south entrance of Park. 530-595-4444
  MT. SHASTA
  Snow-capped Mt. Shasta dominates the northern skies as you journey past Shasta Lake, the jagged peaks of Castle Crags, and through the picturesque railroad town of Dunsmuir. During the winter months, skiers can choose alpine skiing at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park, which features two triple chair lifts and a surface tow. Cross country skiing is also available on Mt. Shasta. Take Interstate 5 north approximately 50 miles to Central Mt. Shasta exit.
  McARTHUR-BURNEY FALLS STATE PARK
  This Park is located on Highway 89 mid-way between Mt. Shasta to the north and Lassen Park to the south. Spectacular 129-foot Burney Falls can be enjoyed by taking the hiking trail down to the base of the Falls and back again. Excellent camping facilities are available with 118 campsites, restrooms, hot and cold water, showers, stoves, tables and food lockers. A boat ramp is also available at near-by Lake Britton. Take Highway 299 east to Highway 89, head north on Highway 89 approximately 5 miles to Park entrance. 530-335-2777
  CASTLE CRAGS STATE PARK
  Continuing north on Interstate 5 for about 35 miles are the soaring spires of Castle Crag State Park. Popular activities include fishing in the Sacramento River, hiking and backpacking in the back country and camping among the ancient granite formations. There are 64 campsites with tables, stoves and storage lockers. Restrooms with hot showers are nearby. Many of the site are large enough to accommodate trailers and motor homes up to 27 feet (no hook-ups). Across from the park's main entrance are 21picnic sites. 530-235-2684
  WHISKEYTOWN LAKE
  West on Highway 299, Whiskeytown Lake is about 8 miles from Redding. The lake offers sandy beaches, marina, camping facilities , excellent boating, plus numerous marked hiking trails. Situated on the south shore of the lake is a memorial to President John F Kennedy commemorating his dedication of the Dam in 1963.
  

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Events:

Major Annual Events:

• Shasta District Fair
• Kool April Nites
• Wings and Wheels
• Annual Lighted Christmas Parade
• Rodeo Week
• Redding Air Show
• Shasta Jazz Festival
• Shasta Art Fair
  

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Other Links:

• Visit Hampton Inn- Redding page.  The newest and the best place to stay in Redding during your visit
• Visit Turtle Bay page for more information
• visit Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce page
• Visit City of Redding page
• Visit Northern California Travel and Tourism Information Network page
• Visit Siskiyou county Visitor's Bureau Page
• Visit Anderson Chamber of Commerce page
• Visit Redding Anesthesia Associates Medical Group Page (Information about anesthesia, pre-surgical & post-surgical events, pain clinic)

Acknowledgments:

The information listed above was provided by The Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce 530-225-4433 and Redding Convention and Visitors Bureau 530-225-4100 or  800-874-7562.
This page created by Shishir A. Dhruva, MD
Please send any comments, corrections or additions to Dr. Dhruva
Last Updated: 11/20/08

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since 03-04-1998

All rights reserved, May 1996 - 2008