North Star Beach is a small, sandy beach located on the eastern edge of Upper Newport Bay, also known as Newport Back Bay, in Newport Beach, California. It serves as the primary hand-carried launch point for non-motorized craft like kayaks and stand-up paddleboards accessing this protected estuary. The beach is adjacent to the Newport Aquatic Center, which offers rentals and lessons. A large, free dirt parking lot is available directly adjacent to the beach, allowing paddlers to park just a few meters from the water. On busy weekends and holidays, however, this lot can fill completely, necessitating an early arrival or alternative plans. The carry from the parking area to the water is short, but the path down to the beach can be steep and the sand thick, making transport of gear somewhat challenging. Launching is directly from the sand into the calm, sheltered waters of the Back Bay, which is largely protected from ocean swell. There are no lifeguards on duty.

The paddling experience from North Star Beach offers two distinct route options. Heading northeast leads into the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, a state marine conservation area characterized by extensive wetlands and narrow channels. This route, popular for bird watching in a habitat hosting over 200 bird species, is ideal for beginners as motorized vessels are prohibited. A round-trip paddle to the end of this nature preserve route covers approximately 4 to 6 miles. The alternative is to head southwest towards Lower Newport Bay and Newport Harbor, passing some wetlands and scenic cliffs. This route involves busier waterways shared with motorized boats and ferry traffic, including navigating under bridges and around Balboa Island, covering roughly 5.7 miles for a loop. Wind is a significant factor for trip planning. A consistent afternoon onshore sea breeze blows up the bay, often calming by evening. Paddlers frequently plan trips to go up-bay with the wind at their back in the late afternoon and return on glassy water after sunset. Tide currents are present but are generally considered less impactful than the wind, though timing a trip with an incoming tide going up-bay and an outgoing tide returning can ease the effort. The area is dog-friendly, but dogs should wear life jackets.