Red Bluff ~ Corning ~ Cottonwood ~ Manton Valley
Pull on your cowboy boots and take a ride to Red Bluff! Named for the area’s reddish cliffs, this distinctly western Victorian town was founded along the banks of the Sacramento River during the Gold Rush as a distribution center for the Shasta and Trinity mines. Steamers ran daily up the Sacramento River to “Red Bluffs,” as it was known then, where mule trains were loaded for trips to the gold mines.
Just north of Red Bluff visitors will find the William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park. Ide was head of the Bear Flag Party, and for about 3 weeks in 1846 served as the first and only President of the Republic of California.
Tehama County is situated at the north end of the Sacramento Valley and has the features of both mountain and valley. Its elevation varies from a few hundred feet to about 9,000 ft. above sea level. Tehama County contains numerous lakes and streams, and is a magnet for hikers, campers, hunters and anyone else interested in unspoiled natural surroundings.
The Sacramento River splits Tehama County as it runs from north to south, and provides miles of boating and fishing opportunities. Numerous public boat ramps allow easy access to the river. Interstate 5 also bisects Tehama County, running roughly parallel to the Sacramento River, and passes through Red Bluff. Travelers will find a good selection of excellent lodging, restaurants and services, as well as Gold Rush-era architecture. Red Bluff is the county seat and the county’s largest city.
South of Red Bluff on I-5 is the community of Corning. Almost all the olives from the U.S. are grown in California, and the large number of olive orchards and olive retailers in Corning confirms its status as a leading producer. Samples of the fruit and wonderful olive oils are available in many locations around town.
Just east of Corning is the Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area. The park offers year-around camping, fishing and hiking along the Sacramento River.