2301 University Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Hours:
- Interpretive Center – Tuesday-Sunday (10 AM-4 PM) Monday (Closed)
- Upper Parking Lot and Nature Preserve Trails Monday-Sunday (7 AM-Sunset)
Admission and Parking: Free
Overview

The Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, which opened in 2000, is a phenomenal nature and interpretive center that offers up a fabulous children’s area, as well as other informative and learning areas, including aquariums and live reptile displays that house lizards and snakes.

The children’s area is particularly exceptional, with a coloring area, reading area, and tons of great nature decor and live animals to see.


The interpretive center offers an excellent opportunity for more people to learn about Newport Bay and its ecosystem and inhabitants and why it is such an important estuary. Just outside the interpretive center doors lie ample trails and opportunities to explore the nearby bay.

We visited, with our now 2 year old daughter, Scout, and spent nearly two hours here. If you bring young kids here, just know that it will be hard to get them to leave. Scout had been battling cancer and just recently had surgery and was declared cancer free 3 months ago. Days like this are what we have always dreamed of and look forward to in the future.

The Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center is a great place for learning about Newport Bay for everyone, but is especially great for children.
