Location
South Coast Region (Region 5)
Orange County
Directions: Newport Beach. Hwy 405 to Jamboree Exit, or Hwy 73 to Jamboree Exit. (If traveling from south of Newport Beach, exit University from 73 and turn left. Travel about half a mile to Jamboree). Travel about three miles west on Jamboree to Back Bay Drive. Turn right onto Back Bay Drive. The Science Center is at 600 Shellmaker Road, on Shellmaker Island.
CDFW Lands Viewer
Description
Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve is a 752-acre property consisting of salt marsh, mudflat, and marine habitats. Large mudflats with suitable loafing areas above high tide are extremely desirable for migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. Sheltered waters provide foraging, spawning and nursery habitat for marine fishes.
For more information, call the reserve at (949) 640-9956 or the South Coast Region's San Diego office at (858) 467-4201.
For volunteer information, contact:
Newport Bay Conservancy
(949) 923-2269 | newportbay.org(opens in new tab)
Recreational Opportunities
This ecological reserve is adjacent to or shares marine habitat with a Marine Protected Area (MPA). For the public use regulations for MPAs, see Section 632, Title 14, CCR.
Activities: wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking, visit the Science Center, kayaking, canoeing, birdwatching, tidepool viewing, biking
Weather: Generally mild year-round. Bring a sun hat and sunscreen. Dress in layers
Back Bay Science Center: Only open during scheduled events. Admission to these events is free, and there is access for the disabled. To find out what’s happening, call the center at (949) 640-9959.