THE STRONG ALLURE OF LASSEN VOLCANIC... and Lava Beds National Monument and Shasta Lake and the Shasta-Trinity Forest can become even more powerful than normal when the year reaches its balmiest, get-outside-iest zenith. This is the time of longer days, warm mornings, and the opportunities to hike without snowy impediment (or sail or camp or stargaze). It's a draw that puts nature-seeking on the road and into Redding, a grand spot if you want to play at Turtle Bay Exploration Park or cycle over Sundial Bridge, a bucket-list-ian check mark on the Californian bicyclist's must-do list. And it is a time of year, this toastiest part, that just happens to be one of the sudsiest, too, around the outdoorsy oasis, thanks to the multi-of-day, multi-of-brewer, multi-of-taste..
REDDING BEER WEEK: The grand Opening Ceremony for the 9-day happening is on Friday, Aug. 18, and over 40 craft breweries are expected, with both "(s)nack stations" and "heartier pub fare" later in the event. On Saturday, Aug. 19 dog devotees'll check out Pints 4 Paws with Lagunitas, while Pints on the Patio with Fall River Brewing will also take place on the same day. A yoga session is in store on Aug. 20 — Wildcard Beer Yoga — while Coffee and Beer Night with Founders Brewing perks it up on Monday, Aug. 21. Review all of the foamy, Redding-area doings, then line up your designated driver or plan for your ride back to your stay-over spot. If you're in the area to commune with all of those trees, waterfalls and big skies around the third week in August, and you dig knowing the local (and beyond) brews, consider dipping into a to-do and getting a closer look at the sip scene.
