Nature
Monarch Butterfly Grove Pismo Beach
Every winter, tens of thousands of monarch butterflies gather in the eucalyptus trees at Pismo Beach. One of the largest overwintering sites in the United States, and completely free to visit.
The Monarch Butterfly Grove at Pismo Beach is one of those places that stops you cold. You walk into the eucalyptus grove, look up, and realize what you thought were dead leaves hanging in the branches are actually thousands of butterflies, wings closed, clustered so tightly the tree limbs bend under the weight. Then the sun comes through the canopy, the temperature rises a degree or two, and they open their wings at once. It is one of the most genuinely surprising things you can see on the California coast, and it costs nothing.
Quick Facts
About the Monarch Migration
Western monarch butterflies spend their summers breeding across California, Oregon, Washington, and parts of Nevada and Arizona. In fall they migrate to a small number of overwintering sites along the California coast, where the mild temperatures and eucalyptus and Monterey pine groves give them shelter from the cold. The Pismo Beach grove is one of the most reliable and well-documented sites in the state.
Monarchs begin arriving at Pismo Beach in October and typically stay through February. The peak count, when the most butterflies are present, usually falls in December or January. Counts at the grove are tracked annually by the Xerces Society as part of the Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count, a citizen science project that monitors population trends across the entire western migration.
The western monarch population has seen significant declines over recent decades due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate-related disruptions to their breeding cycle. Years with strong counts at Pismo Beach are genuinely worth celebrating. When conditions are right, the grove can hold 20,000 to 50,000 butterflies, and the sound of wings is audible when they take flight.
What to Expect When You Visit
The grove is a short, easy walk from the parking area along South Dolliver Street. A wooden boardwalk loops through the eucalyptus trees and brings you close to the butterfly clusters without letting visitors trample the undergrowth or disturb the roosting sites. The whole loop is less than a quarter mile and is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
Monarchs cluster high in the canopy when temperatures are cool, which means early morning visits may require binoculars to see them well. As the day warms up, the butterflies become more active, descend a bit, and begin flying through the grove. Mid-morning on a clear day is the sweet spot: warm enough for activity, cool enough that they are still hanging in clusters.
On weekend afternoons from November through February, volunteer docents from Pacific Wildlife Care are usually on-site. They have spotting scopes, can point out the densest clusters, and are happy to answer questions. If you are visiting with children, the docents are excellent at engaging kids with the science of migration and the monarch life cycle.
How to Get There
The Monarch Butterfly Grove is located at the north end of Pismo State Beach on South Dolliver Street. From downtown Pismo Beach, head south on Highway 1 (Dolliver Street) for about 0.4 miles past the pier area. You will see a signed pullout on the right with free street parking. The grove entrance is right off the parking area.
If you are staying in downtown Pismo Beach, the grove is walkable from the pier area in about 10 minutes. The path along the beach connects downtown to the grove and is a pleasant walk with ocean views.
Address
South Dolliver Street, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Tips from Sally
- 1.Visit mid-morning on a sunny day. The butterflies are slow and clustered when it is cold and take flight when the canopy warms up. That window between 10am and noon on a clear December or January day is magical.
- 2.Bring binoculars. The densest clusters are often high in the canopy, and they are hard to fully appreciate without them. Even cheap binoculars make a big difference.
- 3.Do not use flash photography. It startles the clusters and wastes the energy they have stored for the winter. Natural light shots with a long lens or a good phone camera work better anyway.
- 4.Check the annual count before you go. Some years have dramatically higher numbers than others. The Xerces Society publishes the Thanksgiving Count results, which give you a rough idea of what to expect for that winter.
- 5.Go on a weekday if you can. Weekend afternoons in December can get crowded, especially around the holidays. Early weekday mornings are quiet and often the most peaceful.
- 6.Combine the grove with Pismo State Beach right next door. The adjacent beach is wide and flat, and after the stillness of the grove, a walk along the shore is a perfect follow-up.
Monarch Butterfly Grove Pismo Beach: FAQs
Where is the Monarch Butterfly Grove in Pismo Beach?
The Monarch Butterfly Grove is located at the north end of Pismo State Beach, along South Dolliver Street in Pismo Beach, CA 93449. It is within walking distance of downtown Pismo Beach, about 0.4 miles south of the main pier area. Look for the signed parking area off Highway 1.
When is the best time to visit the Monarch Butterfly Grove?
The monarchs are typically present from late October through February. Peak numbers usually occur in December and January. Counts can reach into the tens of thousands during peak years. If you visit outside this window, the butterflies will not be there. The grove itself is open year-round, but there is nothing to see in summer and spring.
Is the Monarch Butterfly Grove free?
Yes, the Monarch Butterfly Grove is completely free to visit. There is no admission fee. The site is managed by California State Parks. Street parking along Dolliver Street is free and typically easy to find except on busy holiday weekends.
How many monarch butterflies are at Pismo Beach?
Counts vary significantly year to year. In peak years the grove hosts 20,000 to 50,000 monarchs, making it one of the largest overwintering sites in the United States. In lower years the count can drop to a few thousand. The Xerces Society tracks annual counts at this site as part of the Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count.
Are there docents at the Monarch Butterfly Grove?
Yes. Volunteer docents are typically on-site on weekend afternoons from November through February. They can point out butterfly clusters, answer questions, and share information about the monarch migration. On weekdays you may have the grove to yourself without a docent present.
Can you touch the butterflies at Pismo Beach?
No. It is illegal to disturb, handle, or collect monarch butterflies in California. Visitors should stay on the boardwalk path and observe from a distance. Sudden movements, loud noise, and flash photography can disturb the clusters and cause the butterflies to scatter, which wastes their stored energy.
Is the Monarch Butterfly Grove good for kids?
Yes. The grove is a short, easy walk suitable for all ages. When the butterflies are clustered in the trees, even young children are captivated by the sight. The docents are friendly and great at explaining the migration to kids. Combine the grove visit with a walk on the adjacent Pismo State Beach for an easy half-morning outing.
Plan the Rest of Your Trip
All Things to Do
The pier, Oceano Dunes ATV riding, surfing, hiking, and more. Everything worth doing near Pismo Beach.
Pismo Beach Pier
Walk the iconic 1,200-foot pier, fish for free, watch for dolphins, and catch a spectacular sunset.
Oceano Dunes
Ride ATVs across 1,600 acres of dunes and camp on the beach at California's only drive-on state beach.