The first thing you notice when you pull into the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center parking lot is that there is no building in sight. The interpretive center uses earth-sheltered architecture and is built right into the hillside.
Take a stroll down the path and enjoy panoramic views of Newport Back Bay. About halfway down the hill, the 10,000-square-foot building comes into view. The center’s design, color, and location blend into the bluffs on the north side of the Bay.
Inside you will find hands-on learning activities and displays about life in and around an estuary. There is a movie to view and a ranger to answer questions. Newport Back Bay is an excellent place for a family hike; the weather is usually cooler with a breeze coming off the ocean.
The Muth Center is a model for all other Southern California facilities. It sets new standards for protecting and preserving open space and endangered wetlands in a highly populated urban setting.
The Mission Statement for the Muth Center is “To promote and support the protection and preservation of California Coastal Wetlands through environmental education.”
Newport Back Bay Kayak Tours
Kayak the Upper Back Bay! Paddle a two-person kayak through the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve while a trained Naturalist interprets the “Back Bay” for you. The Back Bay is a salt marsh estuary home to many birds and endangered species.
Kayak tours depart from Newport Dunes Resort Saturdays and Newport Aquatic Center Sundays. Rain cancels. For information and reservations, visit the Newport Bay Conservancy website.
During the winter, the tidal mudflats are home to thousands of migrating birds. The guide will discuss the history of the Bay and the native plants, birds, animals, and marine life. Guided kayak tour: Every Saturday and Sunday.
Getting to Muth Interpretive Center
The Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center is located at 2301 University Drive in Newport Beach, CA 92660, on the east side of Newport Back Bay.
Please note that you will not see the building from the street. Park in the lot and follow the trail to the building. The Interpretive Center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission is free, but a small donation is appreciated.