Visit the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries

Mid-October to Mid-February

Monarch butterflies return to their winter home along our coast. Go observe these beautiful creatures and learn about their seasonal migration.

Starting in October and lasting into January, thousands of Monarch butterflies call Monterey Bay their winter home. They cluster in the trees, especially eucalyptus, for protection from wind and cold and when the weather warms you may see them flutter about in search of food.

Their migration begins west of the Rocky Mountains where the Monarch’s companion plant, milkweed is found. For the past several years the milkweed habitat has been damaged and the number of Monarchs has dwindled. Learn about the work the Xerces Society does to protect them.

Visit the Monarch Sanctuaries

Please, help protect the health of the butterflies. Do not touch, they’re fragile.
For everyone’s enjoyment. No smoking, dogs, bicycles, skates, or skateboards.
Quiet please. Help maintain the sanctuary experience.

The Monarch Grove at Natural Bridges is a Natural Preserve, protecting these butterflies and their winter habitat from human encroachment or harm. Visitors can view the over-wintering Monarchs by walking down the park’s wheelchair and stroller-accessible boardwalk to an observation deck in the eucalyptus grove.
Natural Bridges State Park
2531 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz (831) 423-4609

Docents from the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History provide interpretation at the Sanctuary from November to February from 12-3pm, weather permitting. Pacific Grove has one of the largest monarch overwintering sites in America.
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
250 Ridge Rd, Pacific Grove

Image: “Monarch butterfly” by Peter Miller, Creative Commons

Eco-guide to living lighter

Monarch Butterflies–Monterey Bay is their winter home

Monarch Butterflies–Monterey Bay is their winter home

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