You’ve heard about this place and now you’re going to find it because the best things in life are free and this is one of them!   It can be tricky because you won’t see it at the intersection of Irvine Blvd. and University Drive just south of the airport — all you’ll see is the triangular concrete sign indicating you’ve found the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.

Park the car, or tie up the bike and walk the dirt trail that lead down to the water.  What awaits you is an amazing “earth shelter” tucked right into the bluffs with natural vegetation as its roof! How cool is it to have a building made from recycled materials framed on rebar from melted-down handguns confiscated by local law enforcement!  This unique hands-on center even has a special kids’ room so young explorers can get up close and personal with all kinds of creepy, crawly things. Be sure to catch the introductory video, “Life in the Salt Marsh.”  It’s a beautiful way to get your visit started and sets the mood for all the wonderful discoveries awaiting you.  There’s no question too difficult for the energetic and helpful volunteer staff.  The Interpretive Center is open free to the public, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, every day of the week except Mondays.
949-923-2290 www.newportbay.org

Tags: Free Activities in Newport Beach, Nature Preserve, Newport Bay

This entry was posted on Monday, March 2nd, 2009 at 4:44 pm and is filed under Off-The-Beaten Path, Outdoor Adventure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.