Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve Tours

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.

Visit Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Activities

Newport Beach Travel Guide

Plan a trip to see Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.

Pendry Newport Beach

Newport Center

₩2,150,092

per person

Apr 7 - Apr 11

found 8 hours ago

Roundtrip flight included

Hong Kong (HKG) to Orange County (SNA)

9.4/10 Exceptional! (421 reviews)

Loved the Paintroom and the staff that offered coloring books and crayons for the kids at the pool.

Reviewed on Feb 11, 2026

Balboa Bay Resort

Newport Heights

₩2,169,680

per person

Apr 7 - Apr 11

found 8 hours ago

Roundtrip flight included

Hong Kong (HKG) to Orange County (SNA)

9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)

Very beautiful, balcony with nice water view, top notch service. Convenient location, close to beaches.

Reviewed on Feb 15, 2026

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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.