Before the yachts - before the homes - before Newport Beach existed as it is known today, the Back Bay existed in primordial splendor - the original historic landscape of Alta California. Renowned for being one of the most critical stopovers for migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway and a sanctuary for many endangered species, this 900-acre nature preserve and marine estuary was recently featured on Huell Howser’s PBS series California Gold.
You’ll find the contrast between this “Quiet Side of the Bay” and the active yachting harbor stunning and exhilarating. Nature takes over in the Back Bay, winding inland for 3 miles, and offering a tapestry of sights hard to duplicate anywhere else. In addition to the various paved and dirt biking and walking trails, the best way to explore the Upper Newport Bay is to be in it! Kayak rentals are available from the Newport Aquatic Center (NAC) www.newportaquaticcenter.com.
Not sure of your kayaking skills? Sign up for one of the weekend narrated kayak tours led year-round by trained naturalists. Tours are scheduled every Saturday morning at 10:00 am from the Newport Dunes, and Sundays at 10:00 am from the Newport Aquatic Center at the foot of Dover Shores. Perfect for first-timers, no skills required – the bonus is coming away actually knowing something about this amazing ecological wonderland. Reserve your spot for one of these popular tours by calling the Interpretive Center: 949-923-2269.
To fully comprehend the importance of this magnificent estuary in a heavily populated urban environment, take yourself and the family to visit the amazing hands-on Interpretive Center at the North end of Back Bay. Located at the intersection of Irvine Blvd. and University Drive, just south of the airport, this is the best kept secret not only in Newport, but probably most of the OC. You won’t see the building from the street, all you’ll see is the earth-colored triangular concrete sign indicating this is the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. Park the car, or tie up the bike and walk the dirt trails that lead down to the water. Built from recycled materials (including melted-down handguns confiscated by local law enforcement), this uniquely-designed “earth shelter” is built right into the bluffs with natural vegetation as its roof. Viewing the 7-min. film Life in the Salt Marsh contributes immensely to your understanding of the importance of these coastal wetlands. Open free to the public, 10:00 am-4:00 pm, every day of the week except Mondays, this unique and creative center even has a special kids’ room so young explorers can get close up and personal with all kinds of creepy, crawly things. www.newportbay.org
Winter brings hundreds of exotic species of birds as they rest on their long journeys between the Arctic Poles, but all year long visitors can usually count on seeing Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons, Terns and Skimmers. Bobcats, Coyotes, Burrowing Owls and Raccoons make their homes in the hilly bluffs overlooking the bay. If the world is too much with you, this is the place to drop in, drop out and decompress!
Tags: Newport Back Bay, Outdoor Adventure, Upper Newport Bay
