Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve Tours and Activities

C and Java fans take note!
C and Java fans take note!
Gorgeous paddle session surrounded by nature with our NIXY Inflatable SUPs
Leave it to the OC to build a combination automobile/bicycle/pedestrian path, each with its own lane, along a three mile stretch of the upper portion of the Newport Bay.

But that is exactly what they did.

The trail is all asphalt, with a few very small offshoots into dirt "nature" trails.  The place is beautiful, really, but I have to put a fly in the ointment here and divulge one of the OC's dirty little secrets.  Somehow or another, a heavy portion of refuse has washed back into the bay and now litters various spots along the trail.  It does not overwhelm the area (as you see here), but it definitely gives one pause to reflect.

That aside, the refuge is home to all manner of wildlife -- Ospreys, Snowy Egrets, Herons, Terns, Seagulls, Ravens, crabs, lizards, frogs, wildflowers of an incredible variety, and all the insects they attract.

There really is no elevation gain to speak of, nothing but the 6-mile round trip to give it even a hint of hiking bona fides.  But it is a very pleasant way to drop down from a 16-mile noggin' poacher like the long route at Crystal Cove.

We added a second "hike" at another relatively flat nature preserve to round out the day. 

But more on that later.
The Preserve was established back in 1975 after a fairly ferocious battle between environmentalists and, well, everybody else.  I doubt there is anyone alive today who regrets the turn of events.

For one thing, huge swaths of land have been preserved [and protected] in pristine form, for another, public access through the place makes it a popular destination for runners, hikers and slow-driving tourists.  

Finally, the surrounding area is almost completely developed for business, high-end residential, and hotel property.

Everybody wins...well, as long as you're willing to keep your head pointed in the direction most suited to your tastes.

It's probably a workable model only where almost everyone is working with a set of unlimited resources and is willing to put them on the line in pursuit of their interests.

A Walden for billionaires, if you wish.  But I gotta admit, it seems to work.


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Top Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve Hotel & Accommodation Deals

Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa/Newport Beach

Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa/Newport Beach

4 out of 5
325 Bristol Street Costa Mesa CA
Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa/Newport Beach
Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel

Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel

4 out of 5
4500 Macarthur Blvd Newport Beach CA
Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
OC Hotel Costa Mesa

OC Hotel Costa Mesa

2.5 out of 5
Costa Mesa CA
OC Hotel Costa Mesa
Sunset Inn

Sunset Inn

2 out of 5
2100 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa CA
Sunset Inn
Pendry Newport Beach

Pendry Newport Beach

4.5 out of 5
690 Newport Center Dr Newport Beach CA
Pendry Newport Beach
Atrium Hotel at Orange County Airport

Atrium Hotel at Orange County Airport

3 out of 5
18700 Macarthur Blvd Irvine CA
Atrium Hotel at Orange County Airport
Travelodge by Wyndham Costa Mesa Newport Beach Hacienda

Travelodge by Wyndham Costa Mesa Newport Beach Hacienda

2 out of 5
1951 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa CA
Travelodge by Wyndham Costa Mesa Newport Beach Hacienda
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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