Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

The Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve is a great area to be one with nature. It’s open from 7am to sunset every day and is free to visit. Even parking is free! The preserve is a nearly 1,000-acre space that contains an interpretive center and three sensitive species: two birds and the San Diego Cactus Wren. It’s an ideal place to go bird watching, enjoy beautiful scenery and go walking, jogging or biking. It’s a nice place to take photos here, too. When visiting, parking is located on University Avenue, close to the intersection of University Avenue and Irvine Avenue. Look for a triangular sign reading “Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve Interpretive Center.” The preserve is close to the John Wayne Airport, so sometimes you’ll hear planes flying overhead, but it shouldn’t deter you from checking it out.