Turtle Bay is located in Redding, California, home of Mount Shasta and the Sacramento River. The city is surrounded by mountains north, east, and west. The design of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park is meant to feel like it is part of the natural environment it sits on. The architect’s intention was for the museum to closely resemble the trees of the riparian habitat. The 21-foot floor to ceiling glass walls offers beautiful views of nature rain or shine. The large roof overhangs in the Turtle Bay Museum’s design are meant to provide shade, similar to that of a large tree.
Botanical Gardens
Turtle Bay’s McConnell Botanical Gardens consist of 20 acres of Mediterranean-climate gardens, a children’s garden, and medicinal garden. Mediterranean plants have excellent adaptive skills, which enable them to grow in hot dry summers as well as rainy winters. Within these lavish gardens visitors can look at flowers and plants from 5 Mediterranean Climate Zones including; Southwest Australia, South Africa, California, Chile, and the Mediterranean Basin.
Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp
Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp is a timber themed educational site modeled after old – time forest camps that took place in Shasta County over 100 years ago. Here visitors can get up close and personal with colorful, charismatic, birds that are known as the clowns of the parrot world; the lorikeet! The lorikeet is a brightly colored parrot originally from Australia that eats nectar. If you are feeling adventurous, allow a parrot to land on your shoulder. Lorikeets love when visitors feed them nectar from a cup!
Sundial Bridge
Redding, California is home to the world renowned, architectural wonder – the Sundial Bridge. The bridge crosses the Sacramento River, linking the North and South campuses at Turtle Bay. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava in 2004, the 23 million dollar bridge is the first freestanding bridge in the United States. The Sundial Bridge is not only beautiful but environmentally friendly as well. In an effort to not disturb the Salmon-spawning habitat, there are no supports in the water either!
The Turtle Bay Exploration Park Store and Coffee Bar is located just outside of the main museum. Take a moment to relax and reflect on your self-guided tour over a cup of freshly brewed coffee or share a snack with friends. All of your gift giving needs will be met at this adorable souvenir shop. Hours of operation are 8:30 am – 5pm, Monday – Saturday and 9:30 am – 5pm on Sundays.