Major city · United States
Anderson
Skip as a base: Anderson is a 1-night I-5 stop or a half-day from Redding — river park, outlets, then move on.
Anderson is a small Shasta County city of about 10,000 people, 10 miles south of Redding on Interstate 5. It has one real sight (Anderson River Park on the Sacramento River), a factory-outlet strip and a handful of motels. Almost nobody needs more than one night here; most travellers use it as a cheaper bed than Redding while driving I-5 between Sacramento and Oregon.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (38 °C (100 °F)+ afternoons), Dec–Feb (rain, occasional snow nearby)avoid Jul–Aug (100 °F (38 °C)+ afternoons), Dec–Feb (rain, occasional snow nearby)
- Airports
- RDD · SMF
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Anderson911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Anderson Police (non-emergency)530-378-6600
- California Road Conditions (Caltrans)800-427-7623
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Anderson, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyAnderson is a quiet small city and violent crime is rare; the practical risks are summer heat, wildfire smoke…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 530-378-6600 Anderson Police (non-emergency) · 800-427-7623 California Road Conditions (Caltrans)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckRDD Redding Regional (About 15 min north by car; small airport, few daily flights — check schedules.).
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required: sights, food and motels sit 2–4 km (1.2–2.5 mi) apart along Highway 273 and I-5, and pavements are patchy.A car is effectively required: sights, food and motels sit 1.2–2.5 mi (2–4 km) apart along Highway 273 and I-5, and pavements are patchy.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, one personAdd 18–22% tip and about 8% sales tax.$18–35
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–18
- BeerDraught beer at a sports bar$6–9
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedMotel double room (I-5 strip), a night, per roomUS$75
- Mid-range bedMotel double room (I-5 strip), a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedMotel double room (I-5 strip), a night, per roomUS$170
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$190
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RDD Redding Regional (About 15 min north by car; small airport, few daily flights — check schedules.) · SMF Sacramento International (About 2.5 h south by car on I-5; the practical gateway for most trips.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Aug
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Dec (11 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Anderson: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Jul
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is effectively required: sights, food and motels sit 2–4 km apart along Highway 273 and I-5, and pavements are patchy. RABA's Anderson Express bus links downtown Redding (Gate 9, Downtown Transit Center) with the Anderson outlets, but it is a commuter service with limited daily runs — check the timetable before relying on it.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20–30 min
I-5 south, about 15 min by car; RABA Anderson Express from the outlets
Turtle Bay museum, Sundial Bridge and the main restaurant and hotel choice.
Shasta Lake
goDoor to door: About 45 min
I-5 north then Shasta Dam Boulevard, about 35 min by car
Dam viewpoint and boat ramps; go early in summer.
Cottonwood
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
I-5 south, about 15 min by car
Small town with a few wineries; only worth it if you are already driving south.
Burney
overnightDoor to door: 1.5 h
CA-299 east via Redding, about 1 h 15 min by car
Burney Falls and lava beds need a full day or a night up there.
Lakehead
goDoor to door: About 1 h
I-5 north, about 45 min by car
Shasta Lake access and marina; pair with Shasta Lake in one loop.
French Gulch
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
CA-299 west then French Gulch Road, about 50 min by car
Gold-rush hamlet; check that the historic hotel and saloon are open before driving out.
Fall River Mills
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
CA-299 east, about 1 h 45 min by car
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Factory Outlets Drive
Motel cluster right off I-5 at the south end; walk to the outlets, easiest for one night with a car.
Gateway Drive / Balls Ferry Road
North-end motels and the main supermarket strip; 5–10 min drive to the river park.
Riverside Place
Riverside hotel east of the centre; quiet, needs a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room (I-5 strip)1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Car, one day (compact rental plus fuel)1 × US$75 | US$75 |
| RABA Anderson Express, one way2 × US$2 · check | US$4 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$44 |
| Trip total≈ US$242 per person per day, bed included | US$483 |
2026 estimate in US dollars, per the site's US pricing convention (prices before sales tax); flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Diner breakfast | $10–18 |
| Burrito or taco plate | $10–16 |
| Sit-down dinner, one personAdd 18–22% tip and about 8% sales tax. | $18–35 |
| Draught beer at a sports bar | $6–9 |
| Gasoline, per galloncheck | $4–5 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer afternoons regularly pass 38 °C (100 °F): do the river park before 10:00 or after 18:00.Summer afternoons regularly pass 38 °C (100 °F): do the river park before 10:00 AM or after 6:00 PM.Summer afternoons regularly pass 100 °F (38 °C): do the river park before 10:00 or after 18:00.Summer afternoons regularly pass 100 °F (38 °C): do the river park before 10:00 AM or after 6:00 PM.
- Highway 273 has frequent roadworks and slow industrial traffic; I-5 is faster if you are not stopping.
- Smoke from regional wildfires can hit air quality in Jul–Sep: check AQI before outdoor plans.
- Cell coverage is fine in town but drops on river and back-road routes.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Anderson Police (non-emergency)
- 530-378-6600
- California Road Conditions (Caltrans)
- 800-427-7623
Pocket card
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AndersonAnderson
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Anderson Police (non-emergency)530-378-6600
- Caltrans road conditions800-427-7623
Embassy
No consulates in Anderson; nearest consulates-general are in San Francisco. Check your own country's list before travelling.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- RABA Anderson Express, Redding to Anderson: about $2 one way, roughly 30 min (check)
- Taxi or rideshare, Anderson to Redding: about $25–40
- Gas, Anderson to Sacramento on I-5: about 150 miles, roughly $25–35 (check)
Say or show
- Where is the interstate on-ramp? — Where is the interstate on-ramp?
- Is this the road to Redding? — Is this the road to Redding?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is the park open today? — Is the park open today?
- How far is it? — How far is it?
US tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Anderson. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (38 °C+ afternoons), Dec–Feb (rain, occasional snow nearby) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for RDD and SMF: last-flight options, taxi and rideshare fallback, one-night rung.
- Two walking clusters with rescue anchors: Factory Outlets Drive and the Balls Ferry Road strip.
- Place pages with verified hours (Anderson River Park, California Welcome Center, outlets) and eat pages with last orders.
- Heat and smoke fixtures so summer and wildfire-season gates can go green.
Sources
Ask about Anderson
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