Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Gorgeous paddle session surrounded by nature with our NIXY Inflatable SUPs

This is an exquisite plant whose name I was able to find on Google this morning, but promptly lost the link. Those in the know (@throwingsofas) might nudge me in the right direction.

The blossoms are silvery-white, with very thin petals, as you can see from an example in the upper left. The rest of the plant is literally covered in little iridescent beads [Google iridescent bead flowers and prepare yourself for the biggest crafts' fair on the internet].

There are pods which contain both ruby beads and colorless beads, But the rest of the plant is encrusted with the colorless variety. I have to believe this is some form of water collection system for the plant, though I can only guess at this point.

They are unimaginably beautiful to see strewn along the path like a trail of polished gems. As we are likely to say anytime we take a picture -- the photo doesn't do them justice.

Leave it to the OC to build a combination automobile/bicycle/pedestrian path, each with its own lane, along a three mile stretch of the upper portion of the Newport Bay.

But that is exactly what they did.

The trail is all asphalt, with a few very small offshoots into dirt "nature" trails. The place is beautiful, really, but I have to put a fly in the ointment here and divulge one of the OC's dirty little secrets. Somehow or another, a heavy portion of refuse has washed back into the bay and now litters various spots along the trail. It does not overwhelm the area (as you see here), but it definitely gives one pause to reflect.

That aside, the refuge is home to all manner of wildlife -- Ospreys, Snowy Egrets, Herons, Terns, Seagulls, Ravens, crabs, lizards, frogs, wildflowers of an incredible variety, and all the insects they attract.

There really is no elevation gain to speak of, nothing but the 6-mile round trip to give it even a hint of hiking bona fides. But it is a very pleasant way to drop down from a 16-mile noggin' poacher like the long route at Crystal Cove.

We added a second "hike" at another relatively flat nature preserve to round out the day.

But more on that later.

Visite Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve

Activities

Guia de viagem de Newport Beach

Atrações populares

Lyon Air Museum

Veja algumas das máquinas voadoras mais raras da II Guerra Mundial e aprenda sobre o papel dos Estados Unidos na história da aviação.

The LAB Antimall

Durante a sua viagem a Costa Mesa, descubra as lojas em The LAB Antimall. Descubra as opções de entretenimento nesta área perfeita para caminhadas ou confira as suas opções de passeio.

Muth Interpretive Center

Passe o dia observando as exibições em Muth Interpretive Center, durante a sua viagem a Newport Beach. Explore as praias nesta área ideal para famílias e aproveite os seus cafés acolhedores.

Newport Beach Vineyards & Winery

Durante a sua viagem a Newport Beach, participe de uma sessão de degustação ou excursão em Newport Beach Vineyards & Winery. Percorra o litoral na área ou experimente os seus ótimos restaurantes.

Sunbrite Pools

Entre em contato com a natureza e explore exuberantes paisagens em Sunbrite Pools, durante a sua viagem para Newport Beach. Explore as praias nesta área ideal para famílias e aproveite os seus ótimos restaurantes.

Orange County Fairgrounds

Conheça Orange County Fairgrounds, uma ótima opção de entretenimento em Costa Mesa. Percorra as maravilhosas praias nesta área ideal para famílias ou confira os ótimos restaurantes na região.

As melhores ofertas de hotéis

Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa/Newport Beach

325 Bristol Street Costa Mesa CA

Cozy Inn

325 W Bay St Costa Mesa CA

Pendry Newport Beach

690 Newport Center Dr Newport Beach CA

Atrium Hotel at Orange County Airport

18700 Macarthur Blvd Irvine CA

Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve: ver as 4.364 propriedades

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