Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve Tours

C and Java fans take note!
C and Java fans take note!
Gorgeous paddle session surrounded by nature with our NIXY Inflatable SUPs
This is an exquisite plant whose name I was able to find on Google this morning, but promptly lost the link.  Those in the know (@throwingsofas) might nudge me in the right direction.

The blossoms are silvery-white, with very thin petals, as you can see from an example in the upper left.  The rest of the plant is literally covered in little iridescent beads [Google iridescent bead flowers and prepare yourself for the biggest crafts' fair on the internet].

There are pods which contain both ruby beads and colorless beads,  But the rest of the plant is encrusted with the colorless variety.  I have to believe this is some form of water collection system for the plant, though I can only guess at this point.

They are unimaginably beautiful to see strewn along the path like a trail of polished gems.  As we are likely to say anytime we take a picture -- the photo doesn't do them justice.
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.


Browse tours and tickets to explore Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Tours & day trips

See all 51 activities

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 6 activities

Classes & workshops

See all 6 activities

Water activities

See all 5 activities

Spa & wellness

See all 5 activities

Popular places to visit


Best Lodging Options Near Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

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
Newport Beach Marriott Bayview

Newport Beach Marriott Bayview

4 out of 5
500 Bayview Cir Newport Beach CA
Newport Beach Marriott Bayview
Star Inn Motel

Star Inn Motel

2 out of 5
2656 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa CA
Star Inn Motel
OC Hotel Costa Mesa

OC Hotel Costa Mesa

2.5 out of 5
Costa Mesa CA
OC Hotel Costa Mesa
Best Western Plus Newport Mesa Inn

Best Western Plus Newport Mesa Inn

3 out of 5
2642 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa CA
Best Western Plus Newport Mesa Inn
Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel

Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel

4 out of 5
4500 Macarthur Blvd Newport Beach CA
Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
Sunset Inn

Sunset Inn

2 out of 5
2100 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa CA
Sunset Inn
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West

4 out of 5
4545 Macarthur Blvd Newport Beach CA
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach West
Hampton Inn by Hilton Costa Mesa Newport Beach

Hampton Inn by Hilton Costa Mesa Newport Beach

2.5 out of 5
2070 Newport Blvd Costa Mesa CA
Hampton Inn by Hilton Costa Mesa Newport Beach
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.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia