[1][2] The Sundial Bridge provides pedestrian access to the north and south areas of Turtle Bay Exploration Park, a complex containing environmental, art and history museums and the McConnell Arboretum and Gardens.

The support tower of the bridge forms a single 217-foot (66 m) mast that points due north at a cantilevered angle (42 degrees), allowing it to serve as the gnomon of a sundial.

The shadow cast by the tower is said by the nearby time markings (see photo) to be exactly accurate on only one day in a year – the summer solstice, June 20 or 21 – but that has not been demonstrated.

The dial of the sundial and a small plaza beneath the support tower are decorated with broken white tile from Spain.

[3][15] The expense was justified on the basis that it would increase tourism in the Redding area,[6][12][14] which also features Shasta Dam as another architectural marvel, and it has been successful in that goal.

[5][9][16] In the fiscal year following its grand opening, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, adjacent to the bridge, saw a 42-percent increase in its visitation.

[5] As of 2011, Redding's city manager stated that the bridge "continues to generate millions of dollars worth of commerce and tourism each year".