Newport Bay Nature Reserve
Upper Newport Bay, the Back Bay as it is endearingly known to those who live nearby – lies hidden in the heart of Newport Beach. Many come here to ride horses and bikes, hike, canoe, kayak, bird-watch or simply savor the delightful sunrises and sunsets over its tranquil waters. Upper Newport Bay is the largest of only a few remaining natural estuaries in Southern California.
An estuary is a coastal wetland where saltwater from the ocean mixes with nutrient-rich freshwater from inland sources, to provide a fertile feeding area for birds, fish, and other animals. The Upper Bay is a regional recreational and educational resource. It also plays a huge part in protecting the single-structure of the Lower Bay and the beaches of Newport Beach.