Weekend Escape: Newport Beach

A monarch butterfly at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach.

Trails at the Environmental Nature Center showcase a variety of plants from diverse California habitats.

Kei Madrigal, 3, looks at a monarch butterfly at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach.

A queen butterfly.

Banh Mi and house-made potato chips at the Tackle Box in nearby Corona del Mar.

Betsy Flynn, right in blue cap, a volunteer nature guide, takes kayakers on a Newport Bay Conservancy tour of Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area.

Bicyclists on Black Bay Loop that runs through Upper Newport Bay.

Upper Newport Bay is popular with exercisers.

A long-billed curlew at Upper Newport Bay State Marine Conservation Area.