If you’re anything like we are, you love a good road trip. Even more so during the holidays — holiday sing-a-longs in the car, holiday lights everywhere and everyone seems to be just a tad bit nicer, even the kids since they know Santa is watching! Pack up the family for a magical holiday adventure at the Redding Garden of Lights.
Holiday Lights and So Much More
About a seven hour drive from Los Angeles, the City of Redding, CA lies along the Sacramento River and is home to the Sundial Bridge, a glass decked, cable-stayed cantilever suspension bridge and is one of the world’s largest working sundials. Located near downtown Redding, the pedestrian bridge can be seen out your window while staying at Northern California’s newest hidden gem, Sheraton Redding Hotel.
Each year the hotel hosts the Redding Garden of Lights Holiday Festival by Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge. The festival returns this November 18 through January 8 at Turtle Bay’s McConnell Botanical Gardens. The light festival Designed by renowned light artist Tres Fromme, the light festival features over one million twinkling lights.
This family-friendly holiday experience includes a 30′ wide illuminated igloo and snowy pathway, The Candy Cane Causeway, 200 feet of lighted tunnels, and reindeer encounters (December 4-24). Visitors can also enjoy the Holiday Village featuring festive foods like wood-fired pizza, artisanal snacks, and s’mores offered Wednesdays through Sundays. After enjoying a snack, guests can warm-up by the fire with s’mores and holiday songs from yesterday and today.
Come For the Lights, Stay For the Eats
Stroll back towards the the hotel and visit Executive Chef, James Vereb at Mosaic Restaurant, for modern American cuisine with a wine country twist. For dinner we recommend the chef’s choice of Charcuterie with house-cured meats and local specialty cheeses, pancetta wrapped Ora King Salmon, and the Confit Duck Leg & Seared Duck Breast. The seasonal “Apple Pie” stone oven pizza made with white sauce, house smoked mozzarella, provolone, apple, bacon, red onion, arugula, and jalapeno honey was also a favorite.
Looking for more fun holiday lights and events to explore for a getaway? Check out our guide to the best things to do in California in December.
What are your favorite spots to see holiday lights near Los Angeles? Share your family’s fun holiday traditions in our Local Anchor Facebook group.
