| S.F. Bay Area
Monterey, California
Monterey and Area Attractions
Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
— Monarch Butterflies
Monarch Butterfly Habitat Sanctuary — Pacific
Grove
Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
is a "must-see" for butterfly lovers — tourists
flock to the outdoor sanctuary every winter to see thousands
of beautiful butterflies clustered on pine, eucalyptus, cypress
and redwood trees, in Monterey's Pacific Grove.
Best Times to See the Butterflies
The Monarch Butterflies arrive at the Sanctuary in October, where
they overwinter (wait out the winter season) until late February,
before joining in the spring migration.
The best time to see the butterflies is when they are at their
most active between
12 noon and 3pm on sunny days. When the sun shines on
the trees, you can see them fluttering in large clusters.
A docent is always on duty during this time. During a recent visit around
1:30pm on a warm sunny day, the trees and
sky were
teeming
with
butterflies —
a magical sight!
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Butterflies can only fly in temperatures of 55° and
above; under 40° they can't move at all — 50°-55° is
a preferable micro-climate. (Temperature reflects where the butterflies
are, not the ground temperature.)
Spring Migration
By March, most of the butterflies have departed, traveling more than 2,000 miles — through
the Central Valley into the Sierras and northeast to the Rocky Mountains, laying
eggs as they go.
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Overwintering Season
October thru' February — Overwintering is when the Monarch Butterflies
wait out the winter season in warmer areas.
Other Monarch Butterfly Locations
Monarch Butterflies can also be found clustering in eucalyptus groves at Natural
Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz, and at the North Beach Campground in Pismo
Beach, near San Luis Obispo.
Fun Monterey Butterfly
Gifts
Monterey Butterfly
Plush White Teddy Bear
Monterey Butterfly
Tote Bag
Monterey Butterfly
Kids White T-Shirt
More
FUN Monterey
Butterfly Gifts
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Get
an Up-Close View of the Monarch Butterflies
Bring binoculars if you have them (there is a telescope on the
sanctuary grounds if you don't), so you can get an up-close
view of these beautiful Monarch Butterflies.
Butterfly Docents
During the overwintering season (Oct thru' Feb), Butterfly Docents (provided
by the Pacific Grove Museum
of Natural History) are on site daily from 12 noon-3pm to welcome visitors
and answer questions about the Monarch Butterflies. 
Family of Deer
Folllow the path thru' the trees at the sanctuary and you may get lucky and see
a family of deer. We saw five of them during our last visit, grazing on the
grass.
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Sanctuary Hours
The outdoor Butterfly Sanctuary is open sunrise to sundown during the overwintering
season (October thru' February).
Admission
FREE admission. Group reservations are not required in advance.
Location
Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary is located
on Ridge Road (one block west of the intersection of Lighthouse
Avenue
and the 17-Mile Drive) in Pacific Grove — about a 5-10-minute
drive from Cannery Row in downtown Monterey.
Google
Map for Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary Parking
Parking is available as soon as you turn onto
Ridge Road, next to the red school buildings. Walk along the pathway
(pictured below) that leads into the outdoor Monarch Grove Butterfly
Sanctuary.
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More Info
Monarch
Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
Pacific Grove
"Butterfly Town USA"
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