The McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, also known as the Redding Arboretum, are located within Turtle Bay Exploration Park, in Redding, California.
The McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens are located on the north side of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park campus and the Sundial Bridge featuring over 200-acres of native and non-native trees and plants.
Arboretum
The McConnell Arboretum is over 200 acres of native trees and plants. A one mile walking trail loop surrounds the Arboretum and directly links to the rest of the award-winning Sacramento River Trail.
Botanical Gardens
The McConnell Botanical Gardens comprise 25 acres of mediterranean-climate display gardens, a children’s garden, a medicinal garden, and two beautiful and unique water features and a large seasonal pond that is home to many animals.
Nursery
Turtle Bay’s nursery is open to the public Friday-Saturday, 9am-1pm and offers mediterranean-climate zone species, California natives, ornamental grasses, and locally adapted perennials for purchase by the public. All of the plants are propagated on site.
Children’s Garden
The Children’s Garden is home to Mosaic Oasis, a whimsical and fun water feature that includes a drinking fountain, ornamental fountain, and play structure designed by local mixed media artist Colleen Barry. The Children’s Garden and Picnic Grove areas are full of fun and interesting plants from around the world.
Redding makes a good lunch stop on a redwood road trip, as it’s midway between Northern California’s coastal redwoods and Lassen Volcanic National Park. And although the city is filled with urban trappings, this quiet picnic area in the McConnell Arboretum is is the perfect spot for a secluded repast.
The picnic area is located at the east end of the McConnell Arboretum, next to the Sundial Bridge. The best way to access it is through the west entrance, located off Arboretum Drive. Accessible parking is located near the garden entrance, with level access to the garden. It’s about a half-mile walk on an accessible hard-packed dirt path to the picnic area, but it’s along a scenic route through the gardens. Alternatively there are benches along the way if you’d like to lunch in the garden. And once you’re done with lunch, you can continue to explore the arboretum, or take a roll along the nicely accessible Sundial Bridge.
