Address: 250 Ridge Road Pacific Grove, California 93950
The Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary and grove of trees is a safe haven for thousands of Monarch Butterflies during their winter migration. It is located at Pacific Grove in Monterey County. Monarch Butterflies migrate to safe overwintering areas to survive, the Monarchs migrate to areas that are neither cold enough to kill them nor too warm that it wastes their energy flying. The Monarch Sanctuary in Pacific Grove’s purpose is to have a safe place to view the Monarch Butterfly and protect or maintain its habitat. Flowering nectar plants and new trees are planted by local volunteers as well as restoring or maintaining the Monarch Butterfly habitat. The Pacific Grove Trail is a 0.3 short and easy trail and is the overwintering spot for Monarch Butterflies. Pacific Grove is nicknamed “Butterfly Town USA” due to the unique migration of butterflies. The Monarch Butterflies cluster together on Pine, Cypress, and Eucalyptus Trees in the sanctuary from October to February. The Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. It’s free admission and parking but donation boxes are available in the sanctuary and donation is optional.
It took us about 2 hours and 10 minutes drive and 118 miles from San Francisco to Pacific Grove Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary via US-101 South, CA-156 West, and CA-1 South. The route was very easy and straightaway but can get traffic or congested especially on CA-156 due to two lanes only. The drive was very nice and relaxing seeing all the expensive, beautiful, and big houses on the way to the sanctuary. We arrived at the sanctuary at around 2 p.m. and were lucky enough to find parking right in front of the sanctuary entrance. There was a big wooden signboard that states Monarch Grove Sanctuary. We had to walk on a dirt path that led us to the beautiful butterfly sanctuary. There were a lot of people as it was on a Saturday and a beautiful day. We were then greeted by a friendly volunteer docent and informed us that we can use the telescope to see a closer look at all the Monarch butterflies that were clustered together on top of the trees. The loop or trail is about 0.3 miles, short and easy. There were a lot of Monarch butterflies clustered on top of the trees, an area with flowering nectar plants where we saw butterflies on top of the flowers. There were also informative signboards about the Monarch Butterflies available along the short trail. My daughter enjoyed and had a great time watching a few Monarch butterflies flying through the trees and flowers. In fact, we saw one Monarch butterfly land on a person’s jacket and had a close-up experience and picture of the beautiful, colorful butterfly. We took lots of great pictures and only stayed for at least 45 minutes since we have to head back home.
Overall, it was a very memorable family experience especially for my daughter where she learned that it has to be 55 degrees or more for the butterflies to start flying. And seeing all the brownish-orange grape-like clusters or pinecones of monarch butterflies sleeping was priceless. My daughter was in awe seeing the beautiful orange-colored Monarch butterflies flying through all the surrounding trees. It’s a fun and safe experience for all ages to enjoy.
Tips: Limited parking spaces are available in front of the sanctuary entrance by Ridge Road street otherwise there is parking along the residential area. There is a Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History that exhibits the Monarch butterfly and it’s about a mile away from the sanctuary. Bring a jacket just in case the weather change, binoculars to see the clustered butterflies on top of the trees, and a camera with a zoom lens for a closer shot. Take selfies or group pictures at the Pacific Grove Inn butterfly wall mural near the sanctuary entrance. There is a public restroom available onsite. Watch out for deers, as we saw a few deers eating in the grassy area closer to the sanctuary. There are other locations to see Monarch butterflies which are Pismo Beach Butterfly Grove, Santa Cruz Monarch Butterfly Grove, Goleta Monarch Butterfly Grove.
Let me know if you have any questions, comments or what you think about the Monarch Butterfly Grove Sanctuary after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.
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