Upper Newport Bay facts for kids
The Upper Newport Bay is a special place in Newport Beach, Southern California. People often call it "The Back Bay." It's a large coastal wetland, which means it's a watery area where fresh water from rivers mixes with salty ocean water. This kind of place is also called an estuary.
The Upper Newport Bay is super important for birds. It's a major stopover point for birds traveling along the Pacific Flyway. This is like a highway in the sky for birds migrating between Alaska and Patagonia. Many different kinds of birds, including some that are endangered, can be seen here.
The Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and Ecological Reserve covers about 1,000 acres (4 square kilometers) of open space. This land was bought by the state in 1975 to protect it as an Ecological Reserve. In 1985, the land around the bay became part of an Orange County regional park. This park offers lots of fun outdoor activities. You can go bird-watching, jogging, bicycling, hiking, and kayaking.
If you want to learn more, you can visit the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. It's located at 2301 University Drive. The center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. A group called the Newport Bay Conservancy (NBC) has volunteers who help visitors. They answer questions and guide people through activities.
The bay is officially protected by the California Bays and Estuaries Policy. This policy helps keep the bay healthy and safe for all the plants and animals that live there.
The main stream that flows into the Upper Newport Bay is San Diego Creek. This creek passes by the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary before it reaches the bay. The Upper Newport Bay is connected to the Pacific Ocean through the lower Newport Bay. The lower bay is where the Newport Beach harbor is located.
