Sundial Bridge
A functional work of art, the Sundial Bridge has become iconic for Redding, California. The remarkable bridge designed by renowned Spanish Architect Santiago Calatrava, completed in 2004 at a cost of $23,500,000 with its 700 ft long span overlooking the tree-lined, trout-filled Sacramento River in Redding’s Turtle Bay Exploration Park. With its undeniably striking glass block walkway and soaring white tower and suspension cables forming a functional sundial, this bridge provides pedestrian and bike access. It also forms the gateway to the Sacramento River Trail a 35-mile-long trail completed in 2010 that extends along both sides of the river and connects the bridge to the Shasta Dam.
Before you cross the bridge, explore the park near the interpretive center with a stroll through Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp, modeled after an old-time logging camp. On the north side of the bridge, on the other side of the river, relax in Mediterranean-climate display gardens highlighting native plants at the McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, or rent bikes to follow paved paths along the waterfront. An inviting network of mountain bike trails explores surrounding open space, with broad views of the Sacramento River and beyond.
With a spectacular design this is one of the nation’s most beautiful, expensive, and architecturally interesting bridges.
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge, perhaps San Francisco’s most famous landmark is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate strait, the one-mile-wide, three-mile-long channel between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. With towers soaring 746 feet into the sky, its magnificent span arcing across the mouth of San Francisco Bay opened in 1937 after a four-year struggle against relentless winds, fog, rock and treacherous tides.
Once called “the bridge that couldn’t be built,” today it is one the seven wonders of the modern world. The Golden Gate Bridge is perhaps the most iconic bridge in the United States. A single glance is instantly recognizable to most Americans and many around the world.
International Orange was selected as the color of the bridge because it provided visibility in the fog for passing ships and also because it was a color that fit in naturally to the bridge’s setting and the surrounding land area. The design of this bridge is truly remarkable and is a must see when in California.
Interest Facts:
The Golden Gate Bridge has lost 7,500 tons (in weight) since it opened in 1937.
It is estimated that 5,000 – 10,000 gallons of paint are used to repaint the Golden Gate Bridge each year.