COSTA MESA TRAINS ON THE TRACKS On...

COSTA MESA

TRAINS ON THE TRACKS

On the third weekend of each month, engineers climb aboard their

trains and travel on three miles of track at Fairview Park to display

their steam and diesel engines. The public is welcome to join them at

the park at Placentia Avenue and Estancia North. The Orange County

Model Engineer program started in 1989 when engineers wanted to

display their engines and educate and entertain the community about

the past. (949) 548-7246.

MOBILE SKATE PARK

The Recreation Division’s Mobile Skate Park travels to various

parks throughout the city three days a week to provide skateboarders

and in-line skaters a state-of-the-art skate park.

The park consists of two quarter-pipes, three wedges, two spines,

a fun box and a rail. Participants must have a signed waiver and

release form to use the park.

Appropriate safety equipment, including a helmet, and elbow and

kneepads, are required. Visit the city’s website at

o7www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.usf7 to get a form.

Call (714) 327-7560 for a schedule.

NEWPORT BEACH

LIDO MARINA VILLAGE

Boutiques, gift shops, custom jewelry stores, art galleries,

boardwalk cafes and restaurants featuring continental, Mexican,

Italian, Greek and California cuisine can be found on the tree-lined

cobblestones paths of Via Oporto in Newport Beach. 3400 Via Oporto,

Newport Beach. (949) 675-8662.

UPPER NEWPORT BAY ECOLOGICAL AND

NATURE PRESERVE

Canoe and kayak tours are available to experience six diverse

habitats for more than 140 bird species that either live there or

visit during the birds’ Pacific flyway migration. Campfire programs

are also offered, as are free two-hour walking nature tours departing

from Shellmaker Island every first and third Saturday at 9 a.m. year

round. From October through March additional walking tours are

offered on the second Saturday of the month starting at 9 a.m.

leaving every 15 minutes until 10:15 a.m. The tours meet at Eastbluff

and Backbay Drive. Information may be obtained by calling Newport Bay

Naturalists and Friends at(949) 640-6746.

UPPER NEWPORT BAY PETER AND MARY MUTH INTERPRETIVE CENTER

Adults and children can explore 15 hands-on interactive exhibits

at this 10,000-square-foot interpretive center and learn about the

inner workings of an estuary. The center offers a “visual poem” of

Upper Newport Bay presented on five screens, showing a year in the

life of an estuary with the arrival and departure of migratory birds.

The center is staffed by County of Orange volunteers with the Newport

Bay Naturalists and Friends. The center is located at 2301 University

Drive, Newport Beach. The center is open daily, except for Mondays

and major holidays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (714) 923-2290

SHERMAN LIBRARY & GARDENS

More than 2,000 plant species, from desert cactus to tropical

flowers, can be found in the gardens at this educational and cultural

resource center dedicated to the study of the Pacific Southwest. The

conservatory on the two-acre parcel has tropical plants and a koi

pond, and the Discovery Garden, specifically designed for those with

impaired vision, appeals to the sense of touch and is accessible to

wheelchairs. Docent tours are available. The gardens are open daily,

and the library is open on weekdays. 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona

del Mar. (949) 673-2261.

CANNERY VILLAGE

A historic village tucked away on the upper Balboa Peninsula,

Cannery Village offers an enclave of shops containing anything from

French provincial furniture to sand sculptures and sterling silver

items. The village is bounded by Newport Boulevard, 31st Street,

Lafayette Avenue and 29th Street. Parking is available on 30th Street

between Villa and Newport Boulevard.

DAVEY’S LOCKER SPORTFISHING

In the Balboa Pavilion, Davey’s Locker Sportfishing in Newport

Beach provides full-day, half-day and 3/4 -day outings, twilight

fishing, private charters and 14-inch boat rentals to satisfy the

fisherman. Visitors can go on trips to Catalina and San Clemente

islands or fish the waters of Newport Harbor for tuna, cod, bass,

barracuda, sheephead, sculpin, bonita and marlin.