Upper Newport Bay Regional Park

Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and Ecological Reserve is over 1,000 acres of open natural and recreation space in Orange County, California. Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve is part of the Ecological Reserve. The park also includes the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve totals approximately 140 acres. The Nature Preserve is made up of the bluffs surrounding the Bay. Three endangered bird species inhabit the bluffs; The California Gnatcatcher, San Diego Cactus Wren, and Burrowing Owl. Two plant communities also call the bluffs home; grasslands and coastal sage scrub.

Upper Newport Ecological Reserve totals 752 acres. This coastal wetland is one of the biggest in southern California, and known as one of the best bird watching area in the United State. During the winter migration as many as 35,000 birds may be utilizing the Bay at once. It is home to six rare or endangered species, the Light Footed Clapper Rail, Brown Pelican, Belding's Savannah Sparrow, Black Rail, Peregrine Falcon and California Least Tern. The Bay is also home to an endangered plant species known Saltmarsh Bird's Beak. Considered a "critical estuary" habitat - Upper Newport Bay is one of the few remaining estuaries in southern California.