Franko's Map of Newport Harbor & Upper Newport Bay
Printed on waterproof, rip-proof plastic. Available folded or flat laminated (like a placemat)
Map size: 12" x 18"
FM-NHF (Folded $6.00) ISBN 1-931494-54-1
FM-NHL (Laminated $10.00) ISBN 1-931494-79-7
Franko’s Map of Newport Harbor & Upper Newport Bay
Side 1 is Franko’s Map of Newport Harbor and Side 2 is Franko’s Map of Upper Newport Bay. However, if you want to view Upper Newport Bay as Side 1 and Newport Harbor as Side 2, that’s fine too.
Newport Harbor is depicted in beautiful full color and digitally generated shade relief, with Newport Beach and Balboa Beach along the Balboa Peninsula, as well as Corona Del Mar State Beach with the ocean beyond in beautiful blues indicating depths. The whole Harbor within the Entrance Channel is accurately depicted with the help of NOAA charts, inputs from the Harbor Master, California Fish & Game people, and lots of local experts. This turns out to be the coolest, most accurate and complete map of Newport Harbor ever made. Side 1 also gives slips, moorings and marinas info, safety guidelines for kayaks and small watercraft, and details of where absolutely everything is located, from popular surfing and diving on the outer waters, to the Balboa Island Ferry, Lido Isle, and Balboa Island within Newport Harbor. Anchorages, mooring areas, navigation information and even artwork of the local fish awaiting your line are included. Fishing docks and kayak put-ins are shown to help the map owner maximize the fun of Newport Harbor.
Upper Newport Bay side, is chalk full of fantastic information about the bay and its Ecological Reserve, its Nature Preserve, The Upper Newport Bay - Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, Big Canyon, The Marine Studies Center at Shellmaker Island, Newport Dunes Resort, the Environmental Nature Center, and North Star Beach, home of the Newport Aquatic Center. Franko’s own photos and biological Interpretive data (wildlife artwork and information on habitat) enhance the whole map experience.
NEWPORT HARBOR
Newport Harbor side captions are as follows:
NEWPORT DUNES RESORT
Waterfront RV resort with 400 double-wide hook-ups. Back Bay Cafe. Kayak and canoe launch site. Boat launch. Restrooms. Showers. Pay parking. Freshwater rinse. Beach. Swimming. Picnic. Store. Handicap access (949) 729-3863
MARINE STUDIES CENTER AT SHELLMAKER ISLAND:
Hands-on marine science investigation and adventures for families and school groups. Naturalist-led kayak and canoe tours, campfire programs, and wildlife watching along the "Clapper Rail Trail". Handicap access. (949) 640-6746 www.newportbay.org
NEWPORT AQUATIC CENTER. NORTH STAR BEACH
Only kayak, canoe and rowing launch within Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. Public beach. Memberships and public programs. Kayak rentals. Restrooms. Showers. Free parking. Sandy beach. Swimming. (949) 646-7725
SOUTHWIND KAYAK & CANOE
Year-round kayak rentals. Guided tours. Lessons. Free parking. Sodas. (949) 261-0200 or (800) SOUTHWIND
CORONA DEL MAR STATE BEACH
Sandy beach. Beach and ocean sports. Fishing. Tide pools. Fire rings. Picnic. Showers. Changing rooms. Beach gear rentals. Snack bar. Restrooms. Pay parking, or free parking on streets
BIG CORONA
Closed-out waves on big S swells. Jetty protects beach from W swells. Fun
for tourists
LITTLE CORONA
Unusually good snorkeling. Good beg. - int. scuba diving on rocky reefs to 60' (18m) depth. All kinds of kelp forest creatures. Badham Ecological Reserve. Surfing during S swells
THE WEDGE
Infamous, feared, neck-busting huge surf for bodysurfers and bodyboarders during big Baja hurricane south swells. Swell glances off jetty and doubles wave height at peak, sometimes to 20'+ (6m+), then slams in a big, screaming, hollow barrel into ridiculously shallow water. Experts only. Boardriding of any sort is prohibited May 1 to Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
BALBOA PIER
Small scale surf break good for tourists and kids, but rarely surfable
BALBOA PIER
Family beach park. Restrooms. Showers. Pay parking. Sandy beach. Swimming. Restaurants. Great pizza. Cafes. Balboa Inn. Bike rentals. Beach gear rentals. Fishing. Hand-carried watercraft launch. Shopping. Pharmacy. P.O.. Restaurants
NEWPORT HARBOR NAUTICAL MUSEUM & THE FUN ZONE
This world-class nautical museum is now located in the midst of the old Fun Zone. The museum preserves the nautical heritage of Newport Harbor
with interactive exhibits, educational programs, nautical arts & artifacts, & events. The Fun Zone boasts a fabulous Balboa Pavilion, ferris wheel,
merry-go-round, games, food, harbor tours, whale watching tours, boat rentals, water sports rentals, fishing, cool shops, the Balboa Island Ferry, & the Catalina Flyer passenger service.
BALBOA ISLAND is a dredge-filled, man made island, circa 1915, on what was once a sandspit. Original property values were $250 per lot. Now, over 80 gift & specialty shops, fine restaurants & fun food vendors (such as the original frozen banana shop) attract visitors. The historic BALBOA
ISLAND FERRY has been crossing the channel with cars, motocycles, pedestrians & bikes since 1919. www.balboa-island.com
WALKING PATHS:
Balboa Island: 1.71 mi.
Little Balboa Island: 0.79 mi.
Combined: 2.6 mi.
WHITE SEABASS HATCHERY Fish are raised in grow-out pen for at-sea release.
BACK BAY SCIENCE CENTER
Educational, hands-on marine science investigation & adventures for school groups, & families, in cooperation with California Fish & Game, California Wildlife Foundation,Newport Bay Naturalists & Friends, UCI, California Coastal Commission, County of Orange, and the City of Newport Beach.
Naturalist-led kayak and canoe tours, campfire programs, and wildlife watching along the "Clapper Rail Trail." Handicap access. (949) 640-6746 www.newportbay.org
SCHOOLYARDS
Variety of pounding, fast waves especially popular with bodyboarders
15TH STREET
Usually not a good surf spot; but with just the right west swell at over 6', plus some offshore winds and suddenly 15th Street turns into one of the best right-hand barrels on the coast. Sandy bottom. Advanced 18th St. Public beach. Kayak launch. Showers. Restrooms. Food nearby at Woody's Wharf
PADDLE POWER
Kayak rentals. Sales. Lessons. Open all year (949) 675-1215 www.paddlepower.com
NEWPORT POINT
Big left waves during S and SE Baja Hurricane Swells. Best when overhead+ high, late Summer and Fall. Seldom breaks, but when it does it is the heaviest beachbreak along the entire So. California Coast. Sandy bottom
NEWPORT PIER
Dory fishing fleet. Hand-carried watercraft launch site. Restrooms. Showers. Pay parking. Sandy beach. Surfing. Swimming. Bike and skate rentals. Great shops. Restaurants
BLACKIES
Peaky, fast right tubes break on Winter W swells. Sandbar. Smallish shorebreak during Summer good for kids and visitors
UPPER NEWPORT BAY
Upper Newport Bay side captions are as follows:
UPPER NEWPORT BAY - PETER and MARY MUTH INTERPRETIVE CENTER
2301 University Dr.. (714) 973-6820. Open daily except Mondays and holidays. 10am - 4pm. 10,000 sq. ft. center built into side of bluff. Interactive ecosystems exhibits. Classrooms. Theatre. Library. Gift counter. Staff and volunteer naturalists available to answer questions. Managed by Co. of Orange Harbors, Beaches and Parks. Handicap access. Restrooms. Parking. www.ocparks.com
UPPER NEWPORT BAY NATURE PRESERVE
142 Acres of upland habitat (coastal sage scrub and native grassland) includes area outlined by red-dash outline). Administered by County of Orange. Wildlife viewing, hiking, biking, equestrian, and nature trails. Preserve was established to protect and restore native habitats and wildlife (714) 973-6820
BACK BAY LOOP Upper Newport Bay can be circumnavigated via bicycle or on foot via the Back Bay Loop. This route follows Bike/Hike trails & a few city sidewalks all the way around the Bay, with fresh air and scenic views
guaranteed. Much of the north end of the Bay can also be ridden aboard your horse.
UPPER NEWPORT BAY ECOLOGICAL RESERVE
752 acres of wetland habitat. Administered by the California Department of Fish and Game. Extremely valuable estuary habitat for wildlife. 50,000+ birds use bay as rest stop for their Winter migration. Fishing from boats or from North Star Beach and Rocky Point. Kayak and canoe launching from North Star Beach only (or outside of reserve). Swimming at North Star Beach only. Bird watching.
BIG CANYON
Year-round bird watching at freshwater pond, stream, marsh, coastal sage, riparian, and salt marsh environment. Half-mile (0.8 km) self-guided nature trail has exhibits and signs to describe ecosystem & cultural history of area.
BACK BAY SCIENCE CENTER
Educational, hands-on marine science investigation & adventures for school groups,& families, in cooperation with California Fish & Game, California Wildlife Foundation, Newport Bay Naturalists & Friends, UCI, California Coastal Commission, County of Orange, and the City of Newport Beach.
Naturalist-led kayak and canoe tours, campfire programs, and wildlife watching along the "Clapper Rail Trail." Handicap access. (949) 640-6746 www.newportbay.org
CAUTION:
Watercraft including kayaks and canoes may use the Main Channel ONLY and NO watercraft are allowed past the Old Salt Dike. See watercraft limits shown by red line . Please observe all channel closures in the Reserve.No landing on shores or islands. Be aware of changing tides that could leave you stranded in the mud. Afternoon winds typically blow inland off the ocean.
Tidal currents and winds can combine to make it difficult to make it back to your starting point at the end of an outing
NEWPORT AQUATIC CENTER.
NORTH STAR BEACH
Only kayak, canoe and rowing launch within Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve. Public beach. Memberships and public programs. Kayak rentals. Restrooms. Showers. Free parking. Sandy beach. Swimming. (949) 646-7725
ENVIRONMENTAL NATURE CENTER
1601 16th St. (949) 645-8489. Plant communities, walking trails and tours for groups and schools. Quality education through hands-on experience with nature.
SOUTHWIND KAYAK and CANOE
Year-round kayak rentals. Guided tours. Lessons. Free parking. Sodas.
(949) 261-0200 or (800) SOUTHWIND www.southwindkayaks.com
NEWPORT DUNES RESORT
Waterfront RV resort with 400 double-wide hook-ups. Back Bay Cafe. Kayak and canoe launch site. Boat launch. Restrooms. Showers. Pay parking. Freshwater rinse. Beach. Swimming. Picnic. Store. Handicap access (949) 729-3863
MARINE STUDIES CENTER AT SHELLMAKER ISLAND:
Hands-on marine science investigation and adventures for families and school groups. Naturalist-led kayak and canoe tours, campfire programs, and wildlife watching along the "Clapper Rail Trail". Handicap access. (949) 640-6746 www.newportbay.org
BIG CANYON
Year-round bird watching. Freshwater pond, stream, marsh, coastal sage, riparian, and salt marsh environment. Half-mile (0.8 km) self-guided nature trail has exhibits and signs to describe ecosystem and cultural history of area
UPPER NEWPORT BAY GUIDED TOURS & PROGRAMS
Contact Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends. (949) 640-6746 or (714) 973-6826 www.newportbay.org
