The Bunnyhenge is a popular attraction at Newport Beach’s Civic Center Park. Especially during springtime, many visitors flock to Orange County, also known as “The OC”, specifically to see the Bunnyhenge in Newport Beach. Why? It’s a delightful place to witness and capture photos with an 8-foot bunny and 14 bunnies each standing at a height of 3 feet.
Newport Beach Civic Center Park
The Civic Center Park in Newport Beach spans 16 acres and is the city’s fifth-largest park. This park features restored wetlands, 1.23 miles of walking trails, a dog park, a sculptures exhibit, and a civic lawn for outdoor events.
How to Get to Newport Beach Civic Center Park?
Newport Beach Civic Center Park is located at 100 Civic Center Drive in Newport Beach, CA.
It’s located near the entrance to Fashion Island, just off MacArthur Boulevard, nestled between Avocado and MacArthur in Newport Beach.
Where to Park at Newport Beach Civic Center Park?
You can park at the parking structure as you enter the park. There are also additional parking spaces on the other side of the library. Additionally, there are limited parking spots near the dog park.
Are Dogs Allowed at Newport Beach Civic Center Park?
Yes, in fact, at the north end of the park (located north of San Miguel Road), there is the city’s only dog park with two separate areas for big and small dogs to play.
Bunnyhenge at Civic Center Park in Newport Beach
Civic Center Park in Newport Beach was designed by the Berkeley landscape architectural firm Peter Walker and Partners (PWP Landscape Architecture).
The park features a larger-than-life white stone rabbit, inspired by Alice in Wonderland and representing a departure from traditional playground designs. Additionally, there are 14 bunnies, each standing about 3 feet tall, arranged in a circle at the north end of the park.
These bunnies stirred up controversy due to their $221,000 price tag. Newport Beach residents’ tax dollars funded these bunnies, and not everyone was pleased with that. The locals have nicknamed these bunnies Bunnyhenge
Even with the controversy, Bunnyhenge has continued to charm many visitors since its installation in 2013, standing out from other sculptures in the park.
Hidden Gem Bunnyhenge at Civic Center Park in Newport Beach CA
Since we moved to the neighborhood in 2015, we often walk at Civic Center Park and visit Bunnyhenge. In the early years, during springtime and Easter, it was so much fun to watch as many neighborhood kids hung eggs and flowers on the 3-foot-tall bunnies.
Also, Bunnyhenge has become a must-see spot in Newport Beach, CA. Taking a photo at Bunnyhenge has become a worthy social Instagram photo to share.
The Bunnyhenge has also become a popular meet-up spot. For us, it’s a fun meeting place, especially for out-of-town paw pals visiting us. It’s a great park to go for a walk and take fantastic photos.
Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park
Phase I of the sculpture exhibition started in August 2013, and now (in 2024) it’s in Phase VII. It’s a rotational sculpture exhibit.
For more information about the current sculpture exhibit, you can visit the Newport Beach website page titled ‘Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park‘ or utilize the mobile app for a self-guided walking tour of the park. Search for the ‘MyNB’ app, available on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Great Addition: Off-Leash Newport Beach Dog Park
When Civic Center Park was founded in 2013, the off-leash dog park is a fantastic addition as Newport Beach’s first dog playground.
The dog park encompasses enclosed runs for both large and small dogs. The play area is partially lined with all-season astroturf, and the other half consists of flat dirt. There’s a water fountain for the dogs, and benches are available for humans under a shaded area.
Located at the north end of Civic Center Park, between Avocado Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard, the park is open from 7 am until dusk every day. Public parking spaces are available on Avocado Avenue, but they are limited. The alternative option is to park at Civic Center Park and walk to the dog park.
The park is very well-maintained by Newport Beach, CA. Therefore to all dog owners, it’s important to respect and follow the dog park rules.
We are not big fans of going to an off-leash dog park. Thus, we seldom bring our golden retrievers here, and if we do, we come early to ensure we are the only dogs in the park. We prefer taking our dogs on long walks, so walking from the Civic Center Park parking area to the dog park is a good over-a-mile walk.
Dog-Friendly Civic Center Park in Newport Beach, CA
In conclusion, Bunnyhenge at Newport Beach’s Civic Center Park is an awesome and fun attraction for dog owners, locals, and visitors. Despite the initial controversy surrounding its creation, Bunnyhenge has become a favorite spot for many, attracting people from all over Orange County to take photos and enjoy its whimsical charm.
While Bunnyhenge is the highlight of Civic Center Park, there’s plenty more to enjoy, like the lovely plants, amazing sculptures, walking trails, and a dog park.
Whether you’re a local resident or just visiting, take your dog to Newport Beach Civic Center Park and enjoy the delightful wonder of the Bunnyhenge – Hop on over and uncover the magic of the Bunnyhenge!You can view the latest photos of my dogs at Bunnyhenge on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
