Monarch Butterfly Grove - Thousands of Butterflies in Pismo Beach, CA
Hi friends and happy Monday! If you’ve been following along on my adventures for a while, you know I love California’s central coast, and this week I am so excited to share a special central California spot in Pismo Beach that is a little extra special during the Winter months of November through February. Join me at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove.
Monarch butterflies at Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove
Location
The Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is located a half mile south of Pismo Beach just off Highway 1. Parking is available on the side of the road, where you immediately enter the grove. A short designated path loops around for a 1/10 mile loop surrounded by towering mature eucalyptus trees. There are multiple interpretive panels that share fascinating information on the area and the beautiful western monarch butterflies. The Monarch Mercantile Trailer is operated by the Central Coast State Parks Association, and here you can find butterfly books, apparel and more.
Seeing monarchs at Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove
Western monarch butterfly in Pismo Beach
Migration Season
The Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is one of only five sites in California that annually counts over 10,000 butterflies. From November to February every year, thousands of vibrant orange and black monarchs flock to Pismo Beach seeking shelter from the freezing northern winters. Typically, monarchs live between 2 and 6 weeks, but some of these butterflies, known as “super migrators” and born in late Summer, go into what is called reproductive diapause. This means they cannot reproduce and live much longer because they are not using energy to reproduce and are in cool locations. Cool temperatures slow their metabolism, allowing them to live longer, even up to six months.
Monarch Butterfly Grove in Pismo Beach, CA
Monarch butterfly cluster on eucalyptus branches at the Monarch Butterfly Grove
Western Monarch Butterflies
Western and eastern monarch butterflies are genetically the same species, but eastern monarchs breed east of the Rocky Mountains and travel up to 3,000 miles to central Mexico during the Winter, while western monarchs breed west of the Rocky Mountains and make a shorter migration to the California coast over Winter. This Pismo Beach monarch colony is one of the largest in the nation and it’s very important because the western monarch butterfly population has declined over 90% in the last 3 decades. In fact, in recent years the western monarch wintering population dropped in numbers to the lowest level ever recorded at less than 1% of its historic population. This was due in part to wildfires, drought, increased development, and the use of pesticides. Migration is critical to the health of monarch butterflies, but last year’s monarch numbers here grew to over 24,000...after the drop in recent years, this is a hopeful sign that the threatened monarchs can and are making a comeback.
Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove along California Highway 1
Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove
Visiting the Grove
If you visit early in the morning, you may see some butterflies “shivering” or even sitting still on the ground. This is because monarchs are cold-blooded and their flight muscles must reach 55°F before the they can fly, so they shiver to warm their muscles. After shivering, they can crawl and fly at temperatures that would otherwise be too cold.
You should plan on spending most of your time here looking up because the monarchs cluster on the towering eucalyptus branches, forming a shingle effect among the trees. This provides shelter from the rain, wind and cold. When the butterfly wings are closed in these clusters they blend in with the branches. You can view these monarchs close-up through binoculars or scopes provided by the state park volunteers, and as the day warms up, the butterflies become more active flapping their beautiful wings and flying around the grove. Several information panels have QR codes you can scan for informative YouTube videos. Throughout the season, rangers and volunteer docents are available to answer your questions. I highly encourage you chat with them because they share a wealth of knowledge (and please thank them for their time...because of them we can fully enjoy the beautiful butterflies here).
Pismo State Beach a short walk from the Monarch Butterfly Grove
Nearby Points of Interest
From the grove you can head out on the Meadow Creek Trail, crossing the estuary and strolling next to the campground between Pismo Creek and Meadow Creek, reaching the beach in less and a third of a mile. From here if you head south you can reach the Oceano Dunes in under two miles, or you can walk north and reach the famous Pismo Beach Pier in a mile. Just a mile north of the pier is one of my favorite Pismo spots, the Dinosaur Caves. This is a beautiful area to visit, even if it’s not Butterfly Season...Pismo has wonderful weather year round and endless activities for just about anyone to enjoy.
Sand dunes and beach near Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove
Know Before You Go
• The Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset and there is no cost to visit.
• Peak butterfly season is late October to February, when the Monarchs overwinter in the grove’s eucalyptus trees.
• It’s incredibly important to stay on the designated path and watch closely where you’re walking because when the monarchs wings are closed, they are so well camouflaged they can almost perfectly blend in to the ground beneath you. Attention: There has been a recent development this season where some monarchs have been somehow shaken off their resting place in the branches above overnight, leaving them on the ground until temperatures rise enough for them to fly in the morning. If you come in the early morning, be extremely cautious as you walk along the path.
• The exact address is: 401 S. Dolliver St, Pismo Beach When driving south on Dolliver St, the grove will be on your right-hand side just past the North Beach State Campground. There are limited parking spots along the street, so plan on arriving early or on weekdays if possible.
• For more information you can please call the Interpretive Office of the Oceano Dunes District, California State Parks at 805-474-2664.
• State Parks Staff have provided an educational Monarch video located on their YouTube Channel.
• Experience Pismo Beach also has great additional information, including details on ranger & docent guided walks.
• Please be aware Butterfly Grove visitors are not permitted to park inside North Beach Campground and reservations are required for all school groups.
• Well behaved dogs are permitted as long as they remain leashed at all times.
Top 10 Things to Do In & Around Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach Pier
Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve
Monarch Butterfly Grove
Morro Bay
Top Food In & Around Pismo Beach
Jocko’s Steakhouse, Nipomo
Surfside Donuts, Pismo Beach
Splash Cafe, Pismo Beach
Old West Cinnamon Rolls, Pismo Beach
Brown Butter Cookie Company, Cayucos
Monarch Mercantile Trailer at Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week in Pismo Beach. For a virtual visit of the Monarch Butterfly Grove, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Western monarch butterfly on the path in the morning warming up before it can fly
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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