Newport Back Bay

Rich and flashy Newport Beach might seem an unlikely place for a wildlife refuge, but it is, in fact, a critical estuary habitat for migratory birds. An estuary is where fresh and salt water mix, as in a creek meeting the sea. It is one of the few remaining estuaries in Southern California.



The Upper Bay, or "Back Bay," located on Back Bay Drive just off of the Pacific Coast Highway at Jamboree, is a 752-acre ecological preserve surrounded by bluffs. The California gnatcatcher, the cactus wren, the brown pelican, and the California least tern are among the rare or endangered birds that feed from or inhabit the bay. During the winter migration, as many as 30,000 birds use the bay as a stopover, making it a major bird-watching spot for minimal effort. The bay also has the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, and Back Bay Science Center.



The Back Bay is easy to reach by car or bike, and has a (one way) road that will take you from end to the other. It is a popular place year-round for walkers, joggers, painters, bike riders, bird watchers, nature lovers, and photographers. For more information, check out http://www.newportbay.org.