The Newport Beach Back Bay Trail, also known as the Back Bay Loop Trail, is a scenic 10.5-mile loop that encircles the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and Ecological Reserve in Newport Beach, Orange County, California. This trail is a popular destination for hikers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts, offering a combination of natural beauty, wildlife viewing, and outdoor activities. It serves as a peaceful retreat, allowing visitors to observe nature while staying close to the city.
Back Bay Loop Scenic Highlights:
The trail winds around the Upper Newport Bay, offering stunning views of coastal wetlands, marshes, and the bay itself. Key stops include Upper Castaways Park, the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, the Back Bay Science Center at Shellmaker Island, and Big Canyon, a eutrophic arroyo with cattails, bay laurel, and papyrus. The trail connects to the 22-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail, extending opportunities for longer adventures.
Back Bay Loop by Car
The Newport Beach Back Bay Loop is an ideal destination for hikers, runners, cyclists, nature enthusiasts, and motorists. While the trail is primarily designed for foot traffic, it is also accessible by vehicle. The road runs from west to east, beginning at the intersection of Jamboree Road and Back Bay Drive, with a speed limit of 15 miles per hour. There are several turnouts along the route where you can stop and enjoy the view. At the midway point, you’ll find a parking lot and restroom facilities.
Wildlife and Birdwatching: The Upper Newport Bay is one of Southern California’s last remaining natural estuaries and a critical habitat for over 200 bird species, including endangered species like the Light-Footed Clapper Rail, California Least Tern, Belding’s Savannah Sparrow, and Least Bell’s Vireo. Great Blue Herons, American Egrets, and Snowy Egrets are commonly spotted, making it a top destination for birdwatching. The bluffs also host sensitive species, such as the California Gnatcatcher and the Burrowing Owl.
Distance and Terrain: The trail spans approximately 10.5 miles and is primarily flat and paved, making it accessible for people of all fitness levels, including families with strollers and individuals using mobility devices. Some sections offer adjacent dirt paths for variety, and a side loop through Big Canyon provides a more immersive nature experience. The trail has minimal elevation gain (about 377 feet), making it an easy route.
Upper Newport Bay Kayaking
Back Bay is the home of nearly 200 birds and serves as a sanctuary for migrating flocks. The back bay is also a critical habitat for fish. If water is your passion, you can rent a kayak or SUP from the Newport Aquatic Center. Kayaking is an exciting way to enjoy the natural beauty of the Upper Bay Ecological Preserve.
Newport Back Bay History
The history of Upper Newport Bay spans thousands of years, beginning with Native American habitation and evolving into its role in early commerce and eventually as a protected ecological reserve. In 1864, James Irvine and his partners acquired the bay for just 37 cents an acre, during which time they established the salt works. The facility processed salt from the bay’s saline waters, likely using evaporation techniques. The salt works operated significantly until they were destroyed by a flood in 1969, marking the end of industrial salt harvesting in the bay.
Back Bay Access and Parking
- Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center (2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA) with a parking lot at University and Irvine Avenue.
- Back Bay Science Center (600 Shellmaker Road, Newport Beach, California).
- Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort (parking fees may apply).
- North Star Beach via the Newport Aquatic Center (free parking and launching).
- Parking: Free street parking is available near trailheads, such as along Back Bay Drive or East Bluff Drive. Dedicated lots at the Interpretive Center and Newport Dunes may have fees or time restrictions in place.
Nearby Points of Interest
Muth Interpretive Center
You will find the Muth Interpretive Center on the northeast side of Upper Newport Bay. This 10,000-square-foot educational facility is built into a bluff side, which affords total views of Newport Bay. The center is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can reach the Muth Interpretive Center via the Bay View Trail or dive along Irvine Avenue.
Pearson’s Port Fresh Fish Barge
If you’ve built up an appetite from all the fun on the Back Bay Loop, we recommend stopping by Pearson’s Port. This floating shack, located at the entrance of Newport Beach Back Bay, sells fresh fish, live crab, and lobster. The market offers a selection of locally caught seafood, including live crab, seasonal lobster, spot prawns, sea bass, swordfish, halibut, and more, depending on availability.
Newport Dunes Resort Camping & Watersports
Newport Dunes Resort offers the perfect home away from home for guests to enjoy the Southern California sun. Situated opposite the multi-million dollar beachfront properties that line the golden coastline of Southern California’s Pacific Coast Highway, the Dunes presents a 110-acre year-round aquatic playground at the Newport Beach Back Bay nature preserve entrance that the entire family can enjoy.