Its a good chunk of land kept separate from all the artificial masses. There are lots of smells that can either be stinky or fresh and lovely. Im glad there is a center for visitors to get information about the land and all the animals who live here as well as the history. Hopefully this place will stay in its place for a long time, because when it rains the plants are more vibrant than youve ever seen in your garden.

Enjoyed Newport bay cleanup. But this year the didnt have anything donated for appreciation to all that volunteered to help out. I know thats not why to clean up my state. But its nice to be recognized.

HELPFUL STAFF ! Soon after my wife and I checked into the nearby Newport Beach Marriott Bayview Hotel around 2.30pm on Saturday we rented a couple of electric bikes to go for a spin around the bay.....official name is Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. Not too far into our ride we stumbled upon this building which overlooked a lot of the bay. We had just parked our electric bikes outside the entrance when I spotted a funny looking bird walking around. Low and behold it was a Road Runner and a pretty friendly one at that. A uniformed employee named Terri kindly explained there were public bathrooms inside plus numerous exhibits and fact sheets about the nature preserve. We went inside to have a look around where we met the other friendly uniformed employee named John. I mentioned seeing the Road Runner and John said it is virtually a fixture at the center. They both explained a few important things to know about the facility and the surrounding nature area. There are a few items such as cuddly stuffed animals and greeting cards for sale. My wife and I rode our bikes along the dirt park up to the rooftop observation deck to see what it was like. After a few minutes chatting with couple of camera enthusiasts we decided to recommence our bike ride. Definitely worth stopping by here !

A nice family visit. Great for adults and kids. I spend almost 2 hours inside the center with my children.

I had a very pleasant experience here. Ive lived in Newport Beach most of my life and I had never visited this cool place until 2020.Lots of great local wildlife info and some cool exhibits.Plus, theres a bathroom.

Nice place to take a nature hike or walk. Very scenic and lots of wildlife to observe. We saw a roadrunner.

Very friendly staff and great place to learn about estuaries! Great for people of all ages! They have an in-house movie, great place for kids to play, and lots of exhibits. Best of all the prices free! They also have a cute little gift shop if youre looking for something from the area.

Great place to bring family for hiking and learning about nature. In addition to the well keep trails, there is a nice visitor center with drinking fountains and restrooms. Make sure to check out the 10 minute video that talks about the animals in the area.

Very nice visitor center. Pleasant walk and great views.

The staff was very friendly and always ready to answer questions. Theres is free parking. The hike to the museum was pleasant. Three exhibits were nicely displayed.

Great place to get away and commune with nature.

Great place for a walk or bike ride along the Back Bay and the surrounding bluffs. Some areas are nicely restored but there will be plenty of noise from traffic and the nearby airport. Interpretive center is free and has some nice exhibits. Parking is free.

Beautiful place. Great for kids. Nice trails.

Beautiful little gem. Great for teaching children about our wetlands.

Locally by, but my main visit was a volunteer trash clean up event. Come on folks, do your civic/environmental duty and help out! You will better about your contributions to our waste problem as you helped even the scale.

One of best attractions in OC. kids and family will enjoy

The rangers stationed here do a stellar job. They host regular community outreaches that demonstrate how to be responsible stewards of our dwindling natural places. And its just a beautiful place to go and experience coastal wetlands.

Beautiful. A place of nature in the middle of the city

This place has great exhibits. I work here as a volunteer and the staff is all extremely knowledgeable. They offer free interpretive hikes and classes that are open to anyone. Check it out! Its got tons of interesting information!

Gorgeous views of the estuary, some hiking trails and an excellent interpretive center.

Beautiful veiw and nice trails

Great little hidden gem in Newports Back Bay. Great nature trails and nature center.

Second Sunday Habitat Restortion day

I love every time I come here! Very interesting and educational center. Very well upkeep and clean.

Great spot to bring the kids especially with a bit of ocean breeze to stay cooler in the hotter summer days.

Good place to take kids, and adults. Check the schedule for events, you might be surprised what you see.

Super nice ppl, clean, can touch a stingray

This is a gem of a nature center in the middle of a a park used only for exercise by a lot of visitors. Maybe most people in the area are just too busy to enjoy the life they run through.

The fish tanks are the best, live example of speices in the bay.

A great (free) activity for a young family. The center is dedicated to the marine life of the back bay. There are small exhibits with animal models. And a short video. We also took a walk with binoculars to observe indigenous flora and fauna.

One of my favorite places for a short hike with beautiful views of Back Bay, habitat of such creatures as hawks, turkey vultures, and snowy egrets. The interpreter center closes at 4, so we missed it, but it is lovely and instructive. The volunteers who work there are always happy to help and chat about Back Bay.

Really lovely! The only thing I would change is to add some bike parking. I ended up having to lock my bike to a sign.

Nice small center with educational facilities and exhibits

Have not been inside except for well-appointed restrooms. Recommended staging area for hiking Back Bay.

Great place - theres a huge kids room with lots of activities. Theres even some small fish tanks around. You can do short or long hikes around the center and enjoy the back bay.

Very informative and interesting. My kids had fun spotting the different fish in the tank. The video presentation was good. Kids had fun in the play room and they have lots of puzzles and books. You should plan to spend at least an hour. Anything less and you will not appreciate all the things you can spend time at. Snakes and spider display was very nice.Parking was a chore due to the busy weekend. If you are planning a picnic, this is a nice addition since it is free.

This is an excellent center for learning about the entire history of this region from the original Spanish land Grants forward. Especially about the ecological importance of the area.

Beautiful pocket of green space and lake, right In the middle of the city. Hiking, walking, running, bird watching and other small critters to entertain you. Parking is scattered and can be full at times. Bring water if its hot outside. Interpretive center has some neat displays and helpful staff. Photographers and painters like persuing their passion here.

Cool, interactive displays that are great for kids & adults alike. See bat rays, snakes, & more!

I loved this place, very educational,take your kids.

Great place to observe nature and see a wetland

Great evening by the bay with wonderful food!

Free center with lots of learning opportunities for the kids and adults alike. Took a nice walk on the trails after the center to round off the education with a nice afternoon breeze and animal watching.It’s free! Go visit the OC Wetlands

Nice place to walk and take in area atmosphere. Go there to see 4th of July fireworks, 360 degree views of multiple community displays.

A wonderful resource for learning about the natural environs of OC.

Great place to explore

An excellent interpretive center. Informative exhibits and clean bathrooms. The parking lot was closed the day I went. 3/18

A very wonderful place to hiking with kids, A great place to involve with nature, its a peaceful place to get some relaxe very close of th ed city.

A very awesome display with live animals and sea life, including two live tiger sharks!

Nice easy hikes around the nature preserve. Watched a short video about the bay area and viewed some exhibits of fossils and local animals.

Top Ten Interpretative Center

Kids love to explore in Back Bay and always ask to play here after exploring outside for hours. Very friendly volunteers!

So much to keep kids busy.

Best place to take kids to, they run weekend guided workshops, have trails, and playroom with books, puzzles. Good parking.

Had no idea this place existed but it was wonderful. I will definitely return. What a gem!

Never knew this center existed (as it is tucked under a cliff) Easily seen however once you start going down paths. Tgere may have been a sign I missed. Incredible free experience the you/your chikdren will love!! Great interactive exhibits. Alot of knowledge to gain.Please check it out. And DONATE!! One of the best in O.C.

Interesting information. One of the best places to walk I. SoCal.

It was a great place to explore the wetlands

More people should take the time to learn about the environment in which they live. Back Bay is awesome! 10.2 mile loop to bike, run or walk. Check out the center - youll learn something!

I love this place and the Bay

Great little learning center.

Love!

The most helpful, friendly volunteers!

Went for Wild Tails this morning in the Childrens Room. Kids were given milkweed seeds to plant for the monarch butterflies. Went on a short hike and learned about what kinds of butterflies were found at the Back Bay based on the plants that grow there.

A treasure in Orange County, this center, hidden until you are literally standing on it, offers a great perspective on the habitats and local flora and fauna.

Restrooms close at 4pm (16h00) with the closure of the interpretive centre !

Love this place

Fun exhibits and trails to walk

Beautiful place to experience the nature of the Newport Back Bay

I would like to volunteer to pick up trash along the side of the river bed

Beautiful building within a beautiful preserve

Thanks for a great visit.

Wonderful hiking place, lots of flowers now, FREE parking and Tour Map

Nice place

Cute place for a walk

In terms of outdoors, this place is wide open, beautiful, teeming, and peaceful.

Very nice area

Great place for a easy hike.

Very informative and interesting.

Pretty spot.

Great place to commune with nature

M.m

Planes can be a bit diatracting

Good place for children

Great for kids

Love this place

Well done!

????

Not much to see.

Fun for kids

Great learning history of upper Newport bay area, animals, ocean life,

Amazing place with a great history

Good place to visit