Red Bluff

Around Red Bluff

Photo: Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Town and around · California · 64k people

Red Bluff

Locals say North State · “The Bluff”

Small-town charm, big valley skies

Golden AmberOrchard GreenRiver Blue

Welcome to the North State, where the Sacramento River runs through and the mountains are always in sight. Whether you're here for the rodeo or the olives, you'll find a friendly community and wide-open spaces.

Clubs for Red Bluff

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The room

One room for everyone around Red Bluff. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

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Coming up

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Red Bluff. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Lassen Volcanic National Park Volcanic peaks, boiling springs, and hiking
  • Sacramento River Salmon fishing, boating, and river trails
  • Lake Almanor Boating, fishing, and mountain views near Chester
  • Black Butte Lake Camping, fishing, and hiking near Orland
  • Tehama District Fairgrounds Hosts the Red Bluff Round-Up and other events
  • William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park Site of the Bear Flag Revolt, historic adobe
  • Outdoors Fish for salmon on the Sacramento River
  • Outdoors Hike the trails at Lassen Volcanic National Park
  • With kids Explore the William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park
  • With kids Picnic and swim at Black Butte Lake
  • Evenings Catch a show at the State Theatre
  • Evenings Try your luck at Rolling Hills Casino
  • Locals love Olive orchards
  • Locals love Sacramento River fishing spots

Through the year

  • Red Bluff Round-Up April Rodeo and parade in April
  • Corning Olive Festival August Celebrates the olive harvest with tastings and crafts
  • Tehama County Fair June County fair with livestock, carnival, and exhibits
  • Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale January Livestock auction and ranch expo
  • Orland Almond Blossom Festival February Celebrates the almond bloom with a parade and fair

Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The best time to be out is spring and fall, when temperatures are moderate and the hills are green. Best: Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are ideal for outdoor activities.

Talk like a local

“North State”
The region's nickname
“the valley”
The Sacramento Valley
“the river”
The Sacramento River
“the hills”
The surrounding foothills

Getaways

  • Lassen Volcanic National Park Volcanic peaks, boiling springs, and hiking
  • Redding Visit the Sundial Bridge and Turtle Bay
  • Chico Bidwell Park and downtown dining
  • Sacramento State Capitol and Old Sacramento

Local flavour

Rooting for San Francisco Giants (MLB), San Francisco 49ers (NFL), Golden State Warriors (NBA), Sacramento Kings (NBA), San Jose Sharks (NHL)

Eat and drink

  • California olives (especially from Corning) Corning is known as the Olive Capital; oil and table olives are local staples
  • Tri-tip barbecue A Central Coast and Central Valley favourite, popular at local cookouts and rodeos
  • Almonds and walnuts Major crops in the region, often sold fresh or roasted

Where people go

  • Olive orchards Rows of olive trees, especially around Corning
  • Ranch land Cattle ranches and open grazing land
  • Sacramento River fishing spots Popular for salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon
  • Rodeo grounds Home of the Red Bluff Round-Up, a major PRCA rodeo
  • Hunting lodges Deer, waterfowl, and upland game hunting in the surrounding hills
  • Lassen Volcanic National Park Nearby volcanic peaks, hiking, and geothermal features

Heritage and traditions

This region is proud of its rugged outdoor lifestyle, deep agricultural roots, and the iconic Red Bluff Round-Up, one of the West's premier rodeos.

This time of year in Red Bluff

  • Hunting season Fall Deer and wild turkey in the hills.

Say it like a local: “Round-up” — Rodeo event

Festivals

  • Corning Olive Festival August Celebrates the olive harvest with tastings, crafts, and the crowning of the Olive Queen.
  • Orland Almond Blossom Festival February Marks the blooming of almond orchards with a parade and community events.
  • Tehama County Fair August Classic county fair with livestock shows, carnival rides, and local food.
  • Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale January A major horse and cattle sale that draws ranchers from across the West.
  • Red Bluff Round-Up April One of the largest two-day rodeos in the West, featuring bull riding, bronc busting, and a parade.

Landmarks with a story

  • William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park Home of the leader of the Bear Flag Revolt, preserved as a state park.
  • Ishi Wilderness Named after the last Yahi Indian, this rugged area preserves his homeland.
  • Tehama County Museum Showcases pioneer and Native American artifacts.
  • Red Bluff Historic Downtown Victorian-era buildings along Main Street, including the old courthouse.
  • Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge Protects riparian habitat and offers birdwatching.
  • Lassen Volcanic National Park Active volcanic peaks and hydrothermal features.

Food traditions

  • Olive oil tasting Corning's olive groves produce some of the state's finest olives, and locals enjoy fresh oil and cured olives.
  • Tri-tip barbecue A California classic, often grilled over oak and served at rodeo cook-offs and family gatherings.
  • Almond blossom breakfast During bloom season, locals gather for pancakes and almond-themed treats.
  • Salmon fish fry Fresh catches from the Sacramento River are battered and fried at summer gatherings.
  • Game dinners Hunters share venison or wild turkey dishes in the fall.

Music and arts

  • Country and western music Especially during rodeo season.
  • Cowboy poetry gatherings Local events celebrate Western heritage.
  • Native American basket weaving and crafts Preserved by local tribes.
  • Western art and bronze sculpture Depicting ranch life and landscapes.

A little history

  • 1846 Bear Flag Revolt
  • 1860s River port era
  • 1911 Ishi emerges
  • 1914-1917 Lassen Peak erupts
  • 1921 First Red Bluff Round-Up
  • Game day The Red Bluff Round-Up rodeo
  • Game day High school rodeo competitions
  • Outdoors Fish for salmon on the Sacramento River
  • Outdoors Hike Lassen Peak
  • With kids Attend the Round-Up parade
  • With kids Visit the Tehama County Museum

Locals speak with a relaxed, rural California accent, often using cowboy and agricultural terms. You'll hear 'howdy' at the rodeo and 'the valley' for the Sacramento Valley.

Only here

  • The Red Bluff Round-Up is one of the largest rodeos in the West.
  • Corning is known as the Olive Capital of California.
  • The Ishi Wilderness is the only wilderness named after a Native American.
  • The Sacramento River at Red Bluff is a prime salmon fishing spot.
New here? A few tips
  • Summers are hot and dry; stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.
  • Winters can be cold, especially in the mountains; bring layers.
  • The area is rural, so plan for drives between towns.
  • Learn to love tri-tip and olive oil.
  • Check the rodeo schedule; the Round-Up is a big deal.

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Part of Redding area

Red Bluff, CA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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