It has grown on me!: 【Hike】Back Bay Loop Trail in Newport Beach

In April 2023, my husband and I hiked at Back Bay Loop Trail in Newport Beach. Actually, we had visited this trail in winter before. However, I thought that I should go to this area again because while I was browsing on AllTrails App, I found that many people posted photos of wildflowers on Back Bay Loop Trail page. Indeed, we really enjoyed seeing California spring blooms during this hike after the winter rains.

Tips for Walking on Back Bay Loop Trail.
・Apply sunscreen on entire body.
・Wear sunglasses and hat with high UPF.
・Drink water often.
・You can bring your dog.
・It's easy trails.

My Back Bay Loop Trail Walking Summary (UA MapMyWalk App)

When I go hiking, I use Under Armour MapMyWalk App to track my walk.

My Back Bay Loop Trail Walking Summary (UA MapMyWalk App)

Last year, I also started using AllTrails App. It's easy to use and helped me to not get lost. In addition, it's easy to find new hiking trails and save your activities on AllTrails App. If you love hiking, you should try this app. It makes your hiking more enjoyable.

My Back Bay Loop Trail Walking Summary (AllTrails App)

Parking

We parked along the street, N University Dr, which is close to Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, which also has parking lot for free but is usually busy on weekends. By the way, in our previous hike, we had parked along the street, Bayview Way.

N University Dr

Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center

Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center

Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center

2301 University Dr

Newport Beach, CA 92660

U.S.A.

Hours

Tuesday through Sunday : 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Parking Lot

7 a.m. to Sunset

Restroom

Everyday : 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center

During this hike, we stopped by Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. It was very educational and interesting.

Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center

Back Bay Loop Trail

Back Bay Loop Trail

After parking along the street, N University Dr, we started walking on Back Bay Loop Trail.

Coyote Aware

Back Bay Loop Trail

There were a lot of yellow wildflowers blooming along the side of the trail.

The Path to Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center

Upper Newport Bay

The entire hills were covered by yellow wildflowers.

I was able to see many kinds of birds during this hike.

The View from the Observation Deck on the Roof of Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center

The observation deck on the roof gave amazing views of Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.

Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center

American Coots

The views of Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve from the trail was stunning.

Hummingbird

This time, we went half mile further up to the end of the loop.

Some trails were still muddy.

Turkey Vulture

There were turkey vultures circling in the sky.

Turkey Vulture

We were able to see snow capped mountains from the trail in April.

Southwest Airline

　We often saw planes flying overhead. John Wayne Airport is three miles away from this area.　

American Airline

After living in the U.S. for many years, I can eventually identify what planes in the sky in Orange County. When I see planes flying overhead, I says, "That's American Airline." "That's Southwest." "That's United Airline." 😁 I think that the most frequently seen planes in Orange County are Southwest Airline.

Southwest Airline

United Airline

Because of wildflowers blooming, we really enjoyed beautiful spring views from the trail. Next time, I would also like to walk the Eastbluff area, the east side of the Upper Newport Bay.

If you like Orange County hikes, you can check out my previous entries related to hike I tried from the book, 50 Hikes in Orange County.

1. San Gabriel River to Turtle Overlook (Long Beach/Seal Beach)

2. Dana Point Headlands (Dana Point)

3. Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (Huntington Beach)

4. Bayview Trail (Newport Beach)

5. Crystal Cove Tide Pools (Newport Beach)

6. Aliso Peak (Laguna Niguel)

7. Pecten Reef Loop (Aliso Viejo)

8. Bommer Canyon (Irvine)

9. Laurel Loop (Laguna Beach)

10. Mariposa Trail Loop (Laguna Beach)

11. Little Sycamore Canyon Loop (Laguna Beach)

12. San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary (Irvine)

13. Wood Canyon Trail (Aliso Viejo)

14. San Onofre State Beach (San Clemente / Oceanside)