Poor Redding.  Not only is it tucked away in the northern hemisphere of California; the town is overshadowed by badass cities like Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento.  But Redding is a big-little ‘burb with a lot to offer.  Last year I spent exactly six hours in the town for a shoot, so I didn’t get to appreciate its eccentric charm.  Last week, I traipsed all over the city and got a good gauge on what it brings to the table.

For one, if you’re an outdoorsman … Redding is your kinda town.  You couldn’t walk five feet without stumbling across a hiking trail.  Nearby Mount Shasta means you can ski and snowboard to your hearts’ desire.  And if you’re really motivated, the ocean is only a short drive to the left.

Whereas the rest of California is a cultural melting pot, Redding is filled with white folks.  Pasty white folks.  I can only assume they’ve been shipped in from Oregon and/or Washington.  Immigrants, dontchaknow?  One night my crew was ravenous for Indian food.  When I asked the client to make a suggestion, she made a sad face.  Turns out the two Indian restaurants in town closed years ago due to lack of business.  (I assumed that meant Ethiopian food was also out of the question.)

Every town I visit has some sort of smell.  Pittsburg smells like coal and butane.  Colorado Springs smells like pine trees and Pine Sol.  But Redding is devoid of any smell.  There’s not even a faint hint of something … like when you catch the teeniest whiff of cologne or perfume.  I kept breathing deeply … all I got was clean air.  Good for my lungs, but bad for keeping my olfactory senses heightened.

Coffee shops, bait and tackle shops and gift shops run rampant in Redding.  Apparently, all anyone wants to do when they’re not enjoying the great outdoors is get a caffeine fix, a new fishing lure or some sort of present … or all three.  There are plenty of eateries around … so there’s that.  Although I did get quizzed by the waitress at the one high-end steak restaurant in town.  “You’re not from here are you?  I know that because you ordered the expensive bottle of wine,” she lamented.  (It was $38.)

So here’s to you, Redding … with your new fancy-schmancy Sundial Bridge and your pretty mountain vistas.  I’d love to go back and visit from time to time, but then I’d have to learn to kayak or something.